The Queen’s platinum jubilee celebrations began with a parade past Buckingham Palace on Thursday morning with a bittersweet admission that Britain is unlikely to see anything like this again.
The achievement marks 70 years on the throne for Queen Elizabeth II, who first ascended the throne at just 25 years old in February 1952. The UK is celebrating a four-day banking holiday starting on Thursday to celebrate the 96-year-old, the longest-serving monarch in British history. .
Although the Queen missed the Trooping the Color ceremony, she appeared on Buckingham Palace balcony two hours after the festivities to “check in” the troops, and was later joined by “working” members of the royal family (meaning no Prince Andrew or Prince Harry and Meghan Markle) On a flight for the Royal Air Force. The Queen stood beside her son and heir to the throne, Prince Charles, and her youngest grandson, the immobile Prince Louis.
The morning began with a lavish parade featuring senior members of the royal family, over 1,400 soldiers, 200 horses, 400 musicians and one very well-behaved Irish wolfhound, who made their way in splendid pomp from Buckingham Palace, down the mall and into the nearby Horse Guard parade for a parade The Colored Troops of the Military Queen of the 1st Battalion, Irish Guards and hundreds of other officers and soldiers of the House Division.
Prince Charles, Prince William and Princess Anne (also known as the Princess Royal) were – impressively – riding horseback all the way, while Camilla Parker-Bowles and Kate Middleton were in a carriage with Princes George, Louis and Princess Charlotte, who waved enthusiastically to royal spectators along the Mall. He also followed him in the carriage of the Queen’s youngest son, Prince Edward, and his family.
Notably missing from that day is Prince Andrew, who no longer holds any public duties and the Queen has removed his military ties after a sexual assault case brought against him by Virginia Jeffrey. (The prince reached an out-of-court settlement with Jeffrey in February.)
Also out of sight were Prince Harry and Markle, whose presence at the Queen’s platinum jubilee has been a hot topic in the UK since stepping down as senior royals in 2020 and interviewed Oprah Winfrey about their experience with the latter company. general.
The couple and their two young children, Archie and Lilipet, eventually arrived in Britain for the festivities. Although they have so far been kept out of sight—watching the Thursday festivities from Whitehall—they will likely be seen at other family events over the weekend, such as Platinum Party in the Park on Saturday.
Former US President Barack Obama was among the dignitaries who sent best wishes to the Queen. Obama, who first met the Queen with Michelle Obama in 2009, said he has always had a “special relationship” with the Queen.
“Her Majesty made us feel at ease with her generosity and generosity,” Obama said. “You reminded me a bit of my grandmother… Your life has been a gift not only to the United Kingdom but to the world. May the light of your crown continue to reign.”
Actress and singer Julie Andrews also shared her wishes for the Queen.
“I remember well the lovely radio speech you gave on your twenty-first birthday. You pledged to serve the people of Britain and the Commonwealth. In all the years since, you have never betrayed that promise. My warmest congratulations to you, madam, and thanks,” Andrews said.
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