The UK came into full celebration on Saturday to honor Queen Elizabeth II’s 70th birthday on the throne, as a “palace party” concert began with a series of stars such as Diana Ross and Andrea Bocelli.
The concert, the climax of the third day of public events to mark the record for the 96-year-old monarch’s platinum jubilee, saw 22,000 ticket holders pack a 360-degree stage built specifically outside the central residence. of the Queen’s London.
Tens of thousands more filled the city center as millions watched on television as Queen + Adam Lambert rockers opened the star-studded show with performances of “We Will Rock You,” “Don’t Stop Me Now,” and “We Are The Champions”. .
“We’re very honored and very happy to be here, it means a lot to us,” guitarist Brian May said earlier.
May offered one of the most enduring images of the 2002 jubilee, performing “God Save the Queen” on the roof of Buckingham Palace.
As Saturday’s concert began, the monarch made a surprise appearance on screen, starring in a pre-recorded comic scene while sipping tea with his beloved British children’s book and film character Paddington Bear.
“Happy jubilee, madam, and thank you. For everything,” the bear told him.
“He’s very kind,” the queen replied, before the couple began playing the “We Will Rock You” drum on their silverware spoon tea plates.
– “Momentant” –
Motown legend Ross, who first performed in Britain in 15 years, Italian opera star Bocelli and James Bond composer Hans Zimmer were also scheduled to perform later in the evening.
Ross, who is heading to the Glastonbury Festival this month after Saturday’s concert, said she was “absolutely delighted to receive an invitation to perform on such a momentous occasion”.
The heir to the throne Charles has previously revealed that the record success of the 78-year-old diva “Upside Down” from 1980 was one of her favorite tracks.
Others who will take the stage include Alicia Keys, Rod Stewart, George Ezra and 2022 Eurovision runner-up Sam Ryder. Elton John has recorded a tribute.
The Queen, the longest-serving monarch in British history, did not attend the two-and-a-half-hour ceremony in person, but watched television at Windsor Castle.
On Thursday, the first day of celebrations, he made two public appearances in front of huge crowds on the balcony of Buckingham Palace and then traveled to Windsor to attend a beacon lighting ceremony.
The effort, after months of struggling to walk and stand up, left her with “some discomfort,” Buckingham Palace said.
He retired from a church service on Thanksgiving Friday and missed The Derby Saturday flat racing showcase only for the fourth time since 1952.
– “Binds us” –
Charles, 73, and his eldest son, Prince William, 39, joined other dignitaries in a royal box of the concert and were expected to address the crowd.
But Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, who sensationally left British royal life for California in January 2020 but are visiting for the jubilee, were remarkably absent.
Saturday was the birthday of her second child, Lilibet, and the queen wished her namesake great-granddaughter a “very happy first birthday” on Twitter after meeting her for the first time in days.
The jubilee celebrations began on Thursday with the pomp and splendor of the Trooping the Color military parade to commemorate the sovereign’s official birthday.
Friday’s goal was the traditional service of the Church of England led by members of the royal family, and Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, in the sacred setting of St Paul’s Cathedral.
Britain set public holidays on Thursday and Friday to mark the unprecedented milestone of the queen’s reign, which has focused on the future of the monarchy without her.
Longer pub opening hours, street parties and other celebratory events have temporarily lifted the darkness of a growing cost-of-living crisis.
“I’m proud of Britain and it’s a pleasure to be able to celebrate too,” said June Davis, a London bus driver in Windsor on Saturday to enjoy the atmosphere.
“The queen is a constant thread throughout our lives. She unites us all.”
On Sunday, millions of people will share food at the “Big Jubilee Lunch” picnics and participate in a public musical and creative event with a cast of 10,000 people.
Ed Sheeran will complete the celebrations on Sunday by singing his 2017 hit “Perfect” … AFP