Platinum Jubilee: Pageant and picnics cap off celebrations

The fourth and final day of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s 70 years on the throne kicked off Sunday.

A royal lunch was followed by a grand pageant involving members of the military as well as an array of performances highlighting Britain’s diversity.

Capping off the four-day weekend, thousands of revelers headed to Buckingham Palace to watch the event despite the overcast weather.

Will the queen attend the final day celebrations?

The 96-year-old Queen has only appeared in public twice during the four-day festivities. She was not present at the pageant, and also skipped events such as a church service on Friday and the Epsom Derby and Party at the Palace on Saturday.

She has limited her recent public appearance due to what the palace describes as “episodic mobility issues.”

However, the royal flag has been raised over Buckingham Palace, suggesting she may make a late appearance.

Known as the Royal Standard, the flag is only flown over one of the palaces when the queen is in residence.

What happened at the pageant?

Armed forces headed the parade on Sunday, flanking the horse-drawn carriage that transported her during her coronation 69 years ago. A video of that day was projected onto the windows.

Two hundred military horses led the three-kilometer (nearly two-mile) route to the palace.

Queen Elizabeth II was coronated 69 years ago, over a year after she became Queen following her father’s death

They were followed by performers who displayed scenes from the monarch’s life through dance and other acts. They were accompanied by music, giant puppets, vintage cars, and celebratory costumes.

Many of the thousands of participants came from countries in the commonwealth of which the Queen is also head of state.

What is the atmosphere like on Jubilee weekend?

DW Correspondent Charlotte Chelsom-Pill was in London for the “unprecedented celebration.”

She said that people were enjoying themselves following the past couple of challenging years due to the coronavirus pandemic as well as the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.

She added that many people across of the country, “regardless of whether or not they’re fans of the monarchy, many are just reflecting on that unprecedented 70 years” that the Queen has been on the throne.

Sunday’s pageant included one of the largest military parade’s in the UK’s recent history

As for Sunday’s events, she said that “there are a number of stars from TV, sport and entertainment” adding that “we’ve seen the golden carriage that gets wheeled out occasionally for these royal events including, including the Queen’s coronation.”

Ed Sheeran to round off celebration

The whole event is set to finish with a rendition of the national anthem, “God Save the Queen,” by singer Ed Sheeran.

The concert follows Saturday’s star-studded event that saw big names such as Diana Ross, Queen, Rod Stewart, Alicia Keys and Andrea Bocelli perform.

Elizabeth’s eldest son and next in line for the throne, Prince Charles, spoke on Saturday, saying: ” Your Majesty, mummy, you laugh and cry with us and, most importantly, you have been there for us for these 70 years.”

Other members of the royal family took part in Sunday’s events even though the Queen did not

On Sunday, Charles and his wife, Camilla, were at The Oval cricket ground for the “Big Jubilee Lunch” where they mingled with crowds. At the same time, millions of people across the country joined street parties.

ab/rt (AP, AFP)

Article source: https://www.dw.com/en/platinum-jubilee-pageant-and-picnics-cap-off-celebrations/a-62038326?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf