- The birthday parade marks the beginning of a four-day celebration
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LONDON, June 2 (Reuters) – Brilliant Queen Elizabeth waved to the applause of crowds in front of Buckingham Palace on Thursday as Britain launched four days of pomp, parties and parades to celebrate its record 70 years on the British throne.
Tens of thousands of royal supporters waving flags lined the streets of London for a military parade at the start of the four-day platinum anniversary. Millions of people across Britain and around the world were expected to watch the festivities, join street parties and light beacons in honor of the 96-year-old queen.
Elizabeth, who held a cane and wore dark blue attire, which she also wore for an official anniversary photo, was joined by her son and heir, Prince Charles, 73, and other dignitaries on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
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As the family waved to the crowds and enjoyed the Royal Air Force’s overflight, Louis, Prince William’s four-year-old son, plugged his ears and howled as planes roared over them. He later jumps up and down as Red Arrow jets emit red, white and blue smoke tracks.
Elizabeth has been on the throne longer than any of her predecessors and is the third longest reigning monarch ever in a sovereign state. Opinion polls show that it remains extremely popular and respected among Britons.
World leaders, including US President Joe Biden, French Emmanuel Macron, Pope Francis and former British prime ministers, were among those sending messages of goodwill. Read more
“I thank everyone who was involved in bringing together communities, families, neighbors and friends to celebrate my platinum anniversary, in the UK and across the UK,” the Queen said in a statement as the festivities began. Read more
“I continue to be inspired by the goodwill shown to me.”
The celebrations began with Trooping the Color, a military parade held annually to mark the Queen’s official birthday, where 1,500 soldiers marched to military music in ceremonial uniforms in scarlet tunics and sword-skin hats.
The crowds later moved to the mall, the grand boulevard that led to Buckingham Palace, where in the brilliant sun they applauded and waved Union flags as a demonstration of modern and historic planes took place.
Fifteen Typhoon planes dropped the number 70.
MILITARY PARADE
Thursday marks not only the beginning of the jubilee, but also the 69th anniversary of the coronation of Elizabeth, who became queen after the death of her father George VI in February 1952.
Britain’s Queen Elizabeth, Anne, Royal Princess, Prince Charles, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, along with Princess Charlotte, Prince George and Prince Louis appear on the balcony of the Buckingham Troop. parade during the Queen’s platinum anniversary celebrations in London, UK, June 2, 2022. REUTERS / Hannah McKay
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Her participation in this year’s celebrations will be a bit limited compared to previous major events. In recent months, the Queen has cut back on public appearances over what Buckingham Palace calls “episodic mobility problems”. In May, she missed the opening of parliament for the first time in almost six decades.
Senior royalty, including Charles and his eldest son William, 39, perform some ceremonial duties on behalf of the Queen.
Some members of the royal family were absent on Thursday, including the Queen’s second son, Prince Andrew, 62, who settled a lawsuit in the United States in February accused of sexually abusing a woman when she was a minor. Andrew denied the charge.
The palace later announced that Andrew had tested positive for COVID-19 and would not attend the Thanksgiving service on Friday.
The Queen’s grandson Prince Harry, who now lives in Los Angeles with his American wife Megan, watched the parade after retiring from the royal service, but was absent from the palace balcony, with only “working” family members present.
There were salutes from artillery cannons in London, in the United Kingdom, and from Royal Navy ships at sea.
“It was wonderful, everything we hoped would be. We are a little older now, so we were here for the 25th and then the 50th (anniversary). But that was the best, “said Ian Higgins, a 62-year-old nurse who watched the events in central London.
“You feel very proud when everyone comes together this way,” said yoga teacher Amanda Mackenzie, 51. “It’s really special.”
In the evening, the lighthouses will be lit across the country and the British Commonwealth, with the Queen leading the main platinum anniversary lighthouse at her home in Windsor Castle.
The government has announced two public holidays to mark the celebration, the first major public gathering since the pandemic and a welcome distraction for many at a time of growing economic hardship.
Among the tributes received from around the world was a video address by former US President Barack Obama, which was broadcast on the BBC.
“Your life has been a gift not only to the United Kingdom but to the world. And with gratitude for your leadership and the kindness you have shown to me and my family, I say, let the light of your crown continue to reign, “he said.
However, not everyone will join the festivities, including the anti-monarchy group Republic, which posted the message “Make Elizabeth Last” on billboards across the UK.
A number of people caused a brief concern by fleeing marching soldiers on Mall Boulevard before being abducted by police. Several were arrested. Read more
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Report by Michael Holden, Kate Holton, Natalie Thomas, Lucy Marx and Paul Hardy; Edited by Raisa Kasolowski and Francis Carey
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