LONDON –
Four days of celebrations in honor of Queen Elizabeth II’s 70th birthday on the throne began on Thursday with a display of British military traditions ranging from the days of horses and cannons to the jet age.
The formal celebrations of the Platinum Jubilee began with Trooping the Color, an annual military review that has marked the Sovereign’s official birthday since 1760. The Queen greeted the balcony of Buckingham Palace and is expected to be there. reunite with working family members. at the end of the event, when 70 planes are ready to roar overhead.
The jubilee is commemorated with a four-day festive weekend. The celebration of the reign of Elizabeth includes a Thanksgiving service on Friday at St Paul’s Cathedral in London, a concert at Buckingham Palace on Saturday and a pageant hosted by thousands of performers from schools and community groups. across the country Sunday afternoon.
Throughout the weekend, neighborhood and private organizations are expected to hold thousands of street parties across the country, repeating a tradition that began with the Queen’s coronation in 1953.
The 96-year-old queen is the longest-serving monarch in the United Kingdom and the first to reach the seven-decade-old throne. The jubilee is giving many people, even those who are often indifferent to the monarchy, the opportunity to reflect on the state of the nation and the great changes that have taken place during its reign.
Former Prime Minister John Major, one of 14 prime ministers in the queen’s reign, said the monarch’s stoic presence had helped run the country for decades.
“The Queen has been our best self for over 70 years,” she told the BBC.
In a written jubilee message, the Queen thanked the people of Britain and the whole Commonwealth involved in organizing the celebrations. For many, the occasion is the first opportunity for a big party since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic more than two years ago.
“I know a lot of happy memories will be created on these festive occasions,” Elizabeth said.
“I continue to be inspired by the goodwill shown to me, and I hope that the next few days will be an opportunity to reflect on all that has been achieved over the past 70 years, as we look to the future with confidence and excitement. “, has said. dit.
Congratulations came from world leaders. French President Emmanuel Macron has described Elizabeth as “the golden thread that binds our two countries together” and one of the “few constants” on the international stage.
“You are our friend, such a close ally, our example of service to others,” Macron told the Queen in a video message in English.
The name of the first event of the long weekend, Trooping the Color, refers to a regimental flag, or “color,” that rises between the ranks. Britain’s annual tradition for the Queen’s birthday is a ceremonial recreation of the way battle flags were once displayed to soldiers to make sure they recognized a crucial meeting point if they were disoriented in combat.
The participating troops come from the Army House Division, made up of seven regiments that perform ceremonial tasks for the queen. Its members are fully trained soldiers and are often deployed abroad when not in ceremonial service.
Each year a different unit has the honor of showing off its color. The 1st Irish Guard Battalion will be the focus during the Platinum Jubilee.
Thousands of people, some of whom camped overnight, lined up the parade route, many with Union Jack flags, party hats or plastic tiaras.
Carly Martin, who took a night bus from south London with her daughter, said she had come “to make memories”.
“You’re not going to see this again in your life,” he said. “At least not in mine, maybe not in my daughter’s … Seventy years old, that’s all I’ve known.”
Several protesters were arrested after crossing the barriers and entering the parade route. The Animal Rebellion group claimed responsibility, saying protesters were “demanding that the royal lands be reclaimed.”
Prince George, left, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte travel in a carriage on the first of four celebrations to mark the Platinum Jubilee on June 2, 2022. (Aaron Chown / Pool Photo via AP)
Cheers and hooves rang out as horse-drawn carriages carried members of the royal family, including Prince William’s wife Kate and their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, from Buckingham Palace to in the parade of the guard on horseback, a ceremonial parade. land one kilometer (0.6 miles) away.
The queen is expected to appear twice on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, but Prince Charles played a key role during the event. Mounted on horseback, he also received a greeting from the ranks of scarlet-clad guards on behalf of his mother, along with his sister, Princess Anna, and his son, Prince William.
Elizabeth has had trouble moving lately, and her courtiers have taken care to keep things as simple as possible for her.
Members of the royal family, including the wife of Prince Charles, Camilla, traveled in carriages to see the ceremony from a building overlooking the courtyard.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will join other members of the royal family to see the show. Harry and Meghan have traveled from home to California to participate in the celebrations.
“I continue to be inspired by the goodwill shown to me, and I hope that the next few days will be an opportunity to reflect on all that has been achieved over the last seventy years.”
A message from the queen at the beginning of the #JubileePlatinum celebrations:
– The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) June 1, 2022