Celebrations marking 70 years of reign of Elizabeth II take place from Thursday to Sunday across the kingdom.
With fanfares, parties and parades, the British celebrate for four days the 70 years of reign of their sovereign. Never has a British monarch ruled longer than Elizabeth II, who ascended the throne at the age of 25 on February 6, 1952.
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Festivities across the UK kicked off on Thursday June 2 with the traditional annual Salute to the Colors military parade in London. A “Trooping the Colour” in which Prince Charles, Prince William and Princess Anne participated, in uniform and on horseback. Become rare in public due to her declining health, the Queen was cheered on by tens of thousands of people when she appeared on the balcony of Buckingham Palace. The royal family, limited to only members who have official duties and their children, also made an appearance on the balcony of the royal palace, during the flypast.
On Friday, a mass of thanksgiving will be celebrated at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London. Saturday, a big concert will be organized in front of Buckingham palace, with, among the headliners, Alicia Keys, Queen and Diana Ross. On Sunday, millions of Britons are expected to take part in thousands of neighborhood lunches and street parties.