- The birthday parade begins with four days of celebrations
- The events mark 70 years on the throne
- Greetings of arms and passage for the longest monarch in the United Kingdom
- Mobility issues force Queen to miss Friday service
LONDON, June 2 (Reuters) – A radiant Queen Elizabeth on Thursday greeted the crowd in front of Buckingham Palace as Britain kicked off four days of pomp, festivities and parades to celebrate its 70th anniversary of the throne British.
The 96-year-old monarch appeared on the balcony next to her family, but later the palace said she had suffered a recurrence of mobility problems and some discomfort, and that on Friday she would no longer attend an action service. thanks.
The queen has reduced her public appearances in recent months due to what Buckingham Palace calls “episodic mobility issues”, and the palace had said the queen would decide which events she would attend closer to the time.
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“The Queen really enjoyed the birthday parade and today’s Flypast, but she experienced some discomfort,” the palace said.
“Given the trip and the activity required to participate in tomorrow’s National Thanksgiving Service at St. Paul’s Cathedral, His Majesty has reluctantly concluded that he will not attend.”
The news shone on the first day of the platinum jubilee celebrations, when tens of thousands of royal supporters lined the streets of London for a military parade.
Elizabeth, holding a cane and wearing a dark blue dove dress she also wore for an official jubilee photograph, was joined by her son and heir, Prince Charles, 73, and other members of the royal family on the balcony. of Buckingham Palace.
As the family greeted the crowd and enjoyed a Royal Air Force flight, Louis, the 4-year-old son of Prince William, covered his ears and howled as the planes roared overhead. He later jumped up and down as the red arrow jets released red, white, and blue smoke stars.
Elizabeth has been on the throne longer than any of her predecessors and is the third longest monarch to ever rule a sovereign state. Opinion polls show that it remains very popular and respected among the British.
World leaders such as US President Joe Biden, France’s Emmanuel Macron, Pope Francis and former British Prime Ministers were among those who sent messages of goodwill. Read more
“Thank you to everyone who has been involved in bringing together communities, family, neighbors and friends to commemorate my platinum jubilee, in the UK and across the Commonwealth,” 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 the Trooping the Color, a military parade held annually to commemorate the Queen’s official birthday, where 1,500 soldiers marched with military music in ceremonial uniforms in scarlet robes and bearskin hats.
Later, the crowd moved to the mall, the grand boulevard leading to Buckingham Palace, where under the brightness of the sun they cheered and waved the Union flags. Fifteen Typhoon planes flew over in formation, writing the number 70.
The British Queen Elizabeth, Anna, the Royal Princess, Prince Charles, Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, Prince William and Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, along with Princess Charlotte, Prince George and Prince Louis appear on the balcony of Buckingham Palace as part of Trooping the Color. parade during the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in London, UK, June 2, 2022. REUTERS / Hannah McKay
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MILITARY PARADE
Thursday marks not only the jubilee, but also the 69th anniversary of the coronation of Elizabeth, who became queen on the death of her father George VI in February 1952.
Some members of the royal family were absent on Thursday, including the queen’s second son, 62-year-old Prince Andrew, who settled a lawsuit in the United States in February accusing him of sexually abusing a woman. woman when she was a minor. Andrew denied the accusation.
The palace later announced that Andrew had tested positive for COVID-19 and would miss out on Friday service.
The Queen’s grandson, Prince Harry, who now lives in Los Angeles with his American wife Meghan after leaving the royal functions, saw the parade, but was absent from the palace balcony, with only members “workers “of the family present.
The first day of the four-day celebration was marked by artillery salutes in London, across the UK and from Royal Navy ships at sea.
“It was lovely, everything we expected. We were here on the 25th and then on the 50th (jubilee). But this was the best,” said 62-year-old nurse Ian Higgins in London.
“You feel very proud when everyone comes together like this,” said yoga teacher Amanda Mackenzie, 51. “It’s really special.”
In the evening, beacons will be lit across the country and the Commonwealth, and the Queen is still expected to lead with the lighting of the main Platinum Jubilee Beacon at her home in Windsor Castle.
The government announced two holidays to mark the celebration, which is the first major public gathering since the pandemic and a welcome distraction for many at a time of growing economic hardship.
Among the tributes paid was a video message from former United States President Barack Obama.
“Your life has been a gift, not just to the UK, but to the world. And it is with gratitude for your leadership and kindness that you have shown me and my family that the light of your crown will continue to reign supreme, “he said.
However, not everyone will join the festivities, including the Republican monarchy campaign group, which has posted the message “Make Elizabeth the last” on UK-wide billboards.
Some people also caused a brief disturbance when they ran out in front of soldiers marching on Mall Boulevard before being dragged by police. Several were arrested. Read more
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Featured by Michael Holden, Kate Holton, Natalie Thomas, Lucy Marks and Paul Hardy; Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky, Frances Kerry and Hugh Lawson
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