Queen Elizabeth has retired from an event that is part of her platinum jubilee celebrations after “some annoyance” during Trooping the Color.
Buckingham Palace announced Thursday evening (around 4:30 a.m. AEST Friday) that the 96-year-old, “very reluctantly,” had decided to skip the cathedral’s Thanksgiving service on Friday. of St. Paul.
“The queen really enjoyed the birthday parade and today’s Flypast, but she experienced some discomfort,” said a statement from the palace.
The adorable prince steals the spotlight
“Given the trip and the activity required to participate in tomorrow’s National Thanksgiving Service at St. Paul’s Cathedral, His Majesty has reluctantly concluded that he will not attend.”
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will make their first public appearance alongside members of the royal family since leaving the United States in 2020 for the church office.
The celebrations begin with a glorious display
Four days of celebrations in honor of the monarch’s 70th year on the throne began with a display of British military traditions ranging from the days of horses and cannons to the jet age.
Formal platinum jubilee celebrations began Thursday with Trooping the Color, an annual military review that has marked the sovereign’s official birthday since 1760.
The Queen went to the balcony of Buckingham Palace shortly after 12.20pm (9.20pm EAST), glowing blue and using a cane.
His Majesty, who first appeared alongside Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, was to be joined by working members of the royal family before 70 planes could hear.
The jubilee is commemorated with a four-day holiday weekend in the UK.
Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Louis of Cambridge, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Princess Charlotte of Cambridge, Prince George of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge on the balcony of the palace of Buckingham during the Trooping the Color parade. (Getty) Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, Timothy Laurence, Princess Anne, Princess Royal, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Louis of Cambridge , Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Princess Charlotte of Cambridge, Prince George of Cambridge, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Sophie, Countess of Wessex, James, Viscount Severn, Lady Louise Windsor and Prince Edward, Earl of Cambridge Wessex on the balcony of Buckingham Palace. (Getty)
In addition to the St. Paul service on Friday, the celebration of the reign of Elizabeth also includes a concert at Buckingham Palace on Saturday and a pageant hosted by thousands of performers from schools and community groups across the country on Sunday at late.
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 offers 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.
Prince George, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte in the carriage procession to Trooping the Color during Queen Elizabeth II’s platinum jubilee at the mall. (Photo: Karwai Tang) (WireImage)
“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.
Queen Elizabeth II smiles broadly as she watches the Trooping the Color ceremony from the balcony of Buckingham Palace. (AP)
“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. “.
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.
Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, during the Trooping the Color parade. (Photo by Chris J Ratcliffe / Getty Images) (Getty)
“You are our friend, such a close ally, our example of service to others,” Macron told the Queen in a video message in English.
Former United States President Barack Obama recalled the Queen’s “grace and generosity” during her first visit to the palace.
She said she “had learned a lot from seeing the example she set for all of us who were privileged to serve.”
“Your life has been a gift, not just to the UK but to the world,” Obama said in a video message, adding.
“May the light of your crown continue to reign supreme.”
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 displayed to soldiers to make sure they would recognize a crucial meeting point if they became disoriented in combat.
The Queen’s Guard during the Trooping the Color parade. (Getty)
The participating troops come from the division of the army home, 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.
Members of the home cavalry band take part in the Queen’s birthday parade. (AP)
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 70s … 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.” Princess Anna, Royal Princess. ride a horse during the Trooping the Color parade. (Photo by Chris J Ratcliffe / Getty Images) (Getty)
Applause and hooves sounded as horse-drawn carriages carried members of the royal family, including Prince William’s wife, Kate; and his sons, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis; from Buckingham Palace to the Horse Guards Parade, a ceremonial parade ground a mile away.
Elizabeth has had trouble moving lately, and her courtiers have taken care to keep things as simple as possible for her.
The night before the first big events, the royal fans find the best places in the mall and get ready to sleep. (Getty)
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will join other members of the royal family to see the show. The couple has traveled from home to California to participate in the celebrations.