LONDON (AP)-On Thursday, Queen Elizabeth II took a brisk walk on the porch of Buckingham Palace, to the delight of thousands of people who joined her at the start of a four-day celebration of her 70th birthday.
Her fans wear Union Jack flags, party hats or plastic tiaras. Some camped out at night hoping to see the 96-year-old queen, whose appearance is becoming rare, and the chance to see Trooping the Color, a military parade that marks each leader’s official birthday since 1760. .
It was an explosion of joy among so many people, one of the first major gatherings since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
“Everyone has the same mission,” said Hillary Matthews, 70, who hails from Hertfordshire on the outskirts of London. “All the horrors that are happening in the world and in England today are gone for a day and we can only enjoy the Queen’s celebration.
Elizabeth, who became queen at the age of 25, was Britain’s longest -serving monarch and the first to ascend the throne in seven decades.
However, after a healthy life, age began to take over. Buckingham Palace announced on Thursday night that the Queen would not be attending the Thanksgiving service on Friday after experiencing “slight discomfort” at events on Thursday.
The palace said the “great reluctance” monarch decided to skip the service at St. Paul’s Cathedral.
The celebration continued throughout the weekend and it is not known how the news will affect the anniversary events on Saturday and Sunday.
The palace says it was “really pleasing to the queen” at events on Thursday – and showed it off.
She enjoys her moment. Smiling, he spoke to his grandson, Prince Louis, 4, who once covered his ears as 70 military planes, old and new, descended on the palace to greet the queen. The six -minute demonstration included the formation of the Typhoon fighter jet flying in the form of the number 70.
The queen, wearing a dove-blue dress designed by Angela Kelly, was accompanied to the balcony by more than a dozen members of the royal family, though not Prince Harry and his wife Megan, who resigned from the royal duties. of two years.
The couple traveled to London from a California home with their two young children to quietly join in the festivities and watch Trooping the Color on Thursday with other family members.
They did not show up on the palace balcony because the monarch decided that this honor should be bestowed only on working members of the royal family. The decision also expelled Prince Andrew, who resigned from public office amid controversy over his relationship with sexual harassment offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Andrew will also miss a thanksgiving service at St Paul’s Cathedral in London on Friday after testing positive on COVID-19.
The anniversary is commemorated with a four-day festive extravaganza and events, including a Saturday concert at Buckingham Palace and a competition of thousands of artists from schools and community groups across the country every Sunday. Thousands of street parties are planned across the country to repeat the tradition that began with the queen’s inauguration in 1953.
Not everyone in Britain celebrates. Many people take advantage of the long weekend to take a vacation. And 12 protesters were arrested on Thursday after crossing barriers and crossing the parade route. The Animal Rebellion group claimed responsibility and said the protesters were “demanding the return of the royal land”.
However, the jubilee offers many people – even indifferent to the monarchy – an opportunity to reflect on the state of the country and the tremendous change that took place during Elizabeth’s reign.
Former Prime Minister John Major, one of 14 prime ministers during the queen’s reign, said the monarch’s steady presence had helped govern the country for decades.
“The queen has been our best self for over 70 years,” he told the BBC.
In a written anniversary message, the Queen thanked the people of Britain and the community who participated in organizing the celebrations. This country loves good parties.
“I know a lot of happy memories will be created for these celebrations,” Elizabeth said. “I continue to be inspired by the kindness shown to me and I hope the next few days will give me the opportunity to reflect on everything that has been achieved over the past 70 years as we look to the future with confidence and enthusiasm.”
The greeting came from world leaders, including US President Joe Biden and Pope Francis. French President Emmanuel Macron called Elizabeth “the golden thread that connects our two countries” and former President Barack Obama recalled the Queen’s “grace and generosity” on her first visit to the palace.
“Your life has become a gift not only to the UK but to the world,” Obama said in a video speech, adding, “The light of your crown still reigns.”
Applause and applause were heard Thursday as horse -drawn carriages carried members of the royal family, including Prince William’s wife, Kate, and their children, Prince George, 8, Princess Charlotte, 7, and the Princess. Lucy, 4. From Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade, approximately 1 mile from the ceremonial parade site, for the Trooping the Color Ceremony.
The annual tradition is a solemn reflection on how battle flags or colors are presented to soldiers to ensure they recognize an important gathering point if they are confused in battle.
Prince Charles played an important role during the event when he supported his mother. Elizabeth had a hard time moving in late and her caregivers made sure everything was as simple as possible for her.
Wearing a ceremonial military uniform, Charles rode his horses to the parade ground and greeted passing soldiers wearing scarlet tunics and bear skin hats. Next to him were his sister, Princess Anne, and the eldest son, Prince William.
Tens of thousands of locals and tourists walked the passage between the palace and the parade ground to see the show and the atmosphere.
“I’m ahead… I’m so proud of the queen,” said Celia Loward, 60. “She’s been my queen all my life and I think we’re very grateful to her for the service she did to the country. . Therefore, today I want to go and express my support and thanks ”.
Source: Huffpost
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.