LONDON ( Associated Press) – Royal fans were anticipating Queen Elizabeth II’s appearance at Buckingham Palace after a colorful street contest through London on Sunday, the last of a long holiday weekend celebrating the monarch’s 70 years on the throne. Day.
Thousands of performers will parade the three-kilometer (about two-mile) route from the Mall to Buckingham Palace by the Horse Guards Parade, telling the story of the Queen’s life with dancing, vintage cars, vibrant costumes, carnival music and giant puppets.
The festivities will begin with the ringing of bells at Westminster Abbey, and a military band will be led by the Gold State Coach, a horse-drawn carriage that transported the Queen 69 years ago to her coronation.
The 96-year-old Samrat will not take part in the competition, but his archival video will be broadcast on the windows of the coach.
The most eager royal fans weathered the wet, chilly weather and camped out at the mall all night to secure the best view of the competition. Some came for the celebrities to perform, while others wanted to be a part of a historic moment.
“It’s part of history, it’s never going to happen again. It’s something special, so if you’re going to do it you have to go big or go home,” said 50-year-old Sean Wallen.
The Queen has not appeared in public for Platinum Jubilee events since Thursday, when she smiled and waved to her family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace. She has limited her presence in recent months because of what the palace described as “episodic mobility issues”. She also had COVID-19 this spring.
Still, she delighted the nation when she appeared in a surprise comedy video that staged a concert in front of Buckingham Palace on Saturday. In the video, Monarch sips tea with computer-animated Paddington Bears — and reveals that, like the beloved character, she was partial to marmalade sandwiches and liked to keep them in her handbag.
Diana Ross and rock band Queen kicked off Saturday night’s star-studded tribute concert, which also featured Rod Stewart, Duran Duran, Alicia Keys and Andrea Bocelli.
Celebrities paid tribute to the Queen’s decades of service to Britain and the Commonwealth. Her eldest son and heir to the throne, Prince Charles, has for decades highlighted his mother’s role as a symbol of unity and stability.
Addressing the Queen as “Your Majesty, Mother”, Charles said: “You laugh and cry with us and most importantly you have been there for us these 70 years.”
On Sunday, Charles and his wife, Camilla, mingled with the crowd at the Oval cricket ground in London for the “Big Jubilee Lunch”. Similarly, millions across the country set out long tables, balloons and picnic fare for equally patriotic street parties and barbecues.
Later on Sunday, celebrities including singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran will chant “God Save the Queen” outside Buckingham Palace as the pageant concludes. Many expect the monarch to make a second balcony appearance to complete the weekend of the ceremony.
