LONDON (AP) — A four-day celebration Events marking the 70th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign kicked off on Thursday, showcasing British military traditions from the age of horses and cannons to the age of jets.
The official celebration of the Platinum Jubilee begins with the Military Parade, an annual military review that has marked the monarch’s official birthday since 1760. The Queen saluted from the balcony of Buckingham Palace and joined her family on a military flight.
Thousands of people, some of whom camped overnight, lined the parade route – many wearing Union Jacks, party hats or plastic headgear. Carly Martin, catching a late-night bus from south London with her daughter, said she came “for the memory”.
“You’re never going to see this again in your life,” she said. “At least not mine, maybe not my daughter’s. . . . 70 years—that’s all I know.”
The 96-year-old queen is Britain’s longest-reigning monarch and the first to reach the milestone of seventy years on the throne. Elizabeth smiled broadly as she spoke to her great-grandchildren on Thursday, looking up as British military planes whizzed past the palace. The six-minute display included Typhoon jets flying in formations that spelled the number “70.”
A four-day weekend holiday commemorates the jubilee.Events to celebrate Elizabeth’s reign include a Thanksgiving service at St Paul’s Cathedral in London on Friday, a concert at Buckingham Palace on Saturday and a gala featuring thousands of performers Sunday came from schools and community groups across the country. Thousands of street parties are planned across the country, repeating a tradition that began with the Queen’s coronation in 1953.
Several protesters were arrested Thursday after crossing the barrier and entering the parade route. Animal Rebellion claimed responsibility, saying protesters “demanded the reclamation of royal land”.
The Jubilee gave many people – even those who were often indifferent to the monarchy – an opportunity to reflect on the state of the country and the dramatic changes that occurred during her reign. Former Prime Minister John Major – one of 14 prime ministers during the Queen’s reign – said the monarch’s stoic presence had helped guide the country over the past few decades,
“The Queen has represented our better selves for over 70 years,” he told the BBC.
In her written Jubilee Message, the Queen thanked those in the UK and across the Commonwealth who were involved in organising the celebrations. For many, it was the first opportunity to binge-watch since the coronavirus pandemic began more than two years ago.
“I know there are many happy memories created on these festive occasions,” Elizabeth said. “I continue to be inspired by the kindness shown to me and hope that the days ahead will provide an opportunity to reflect on all that has been accomplished over the past 70 years as we look to the future with confidence and enthusiasm,”
Congratulations from world leaders. French President Emmanuel Macron called Elisabeth “the golden thread that connects our two countries” and one of the “very few constant people” on the international stage.
Former US President Barack Obama recalled the Queen’s “grace and generosity” during his first visit to the palace. He said he “learned a lot from seeing the example she sets for all of us who are fortunate enough to serve.”
“Your life is a gift, not just to the UK, but to the world,” Obama said in a video message. “May your crown light continue to reign supreme.”
The first event of the long weekend, Trooping the Color, refers to a regimental flag, or “color,” that swarms in the ranks. Britain’s annual Queen’s Birthday tradition is a ceremonial reenactment of how the battle flag was once displayed to soldiers to ensure they can identify a key rally point if they get lost in battle.
Every year, different units of the Army Interior Department are honored to join the army. The 1st Battalion of the Irish Guard will be in focus during the Platinum Jubilee.
There were cheers and the sound of horses’ hooves on Thursday as the carriage carried the royal family, including Prince William’s wife Kate and their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, from Buckingham Palace to the Horse Guards parade. The Parade Ground is about 1 km (0.6 mi) away.
The Queen is expected to appear on the balcony of Buckingham Palace twice on Thursday, but Prince Charles played a key role in the event. On horseback, he also saluted from the ranks of the Red Guard on behalf of his mother, as well as his sister Princess Anne and his son Prince William.
Elizabeth has had trouble with her actions recently, and her courtiers have been careful to keep things as simple as possible for her.
Senior royals, including Prince Charles’ wife Camilla, rode in carriages to watch the ceremony from a building overlooking the parade ground.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex joined the rest of the royal family to watch the spectacle. Harry and Meghan travelled from their California home to London for the festivities with their two young children.
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