The first of four days of events marking Queen Elizabeth II’s 70 years on the throne began on Thursday with a showcase of British military traditions from the horse and cannon era to the jet age.
Trooping the Color, an annual military review that has honored the sovereign’s official birthday since 1760, kicked off the Platinum Jubilee’s formal ceremonies. On the balcony of Buckingham Palace, the queen saluted and joined the working members of her family for a military fly-past.
Thousands of people lined the procession route, some of whom camped overnight, many of them wearing Union Jack flags, party hats, or plastic tiaras. Carly Martin, who arrived with her daughter on a late-night bus from south London, said she had come “to make memories.”
“This is something you’ll never see again in your life,” she remarked. “At least not in my case and possibly not in my daughter’s as well…. 70 years is all I’ve ever known.”
The 96-year-old monarch is the country’s longest-reigning monarch and the first to surpass the seven-decade mark on the throne. As she spoke with her great-grandchildren on Thursday, Elizabeth smiled heartily and gazed up as British military planes screamed overhead. Typhoon jets flew in a pattern spelling out the number “70” during the six-minute show.
A four-day holiday weekend has been set aside to mark the jubilee. On Friday, a thanksgiving ceremony will be held at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, followed by a concert at Buckingham Palace on Saturday and a pageant on Sunday with thousands of performers recruited from schools and community groups across the country. Thousands of street celebrations are being organized across the UK, continuing a tradition that dates back to the queen’s coronation in 1953.
After getting past barriers and into the parade path, some demonstrators were arrested on Thursday. Animal Rebellion claimed responsibility for the protests, claiming that the demonstrators were “demanding that royal property be recovered.”
The jubilee is providing an opportunity for many people, including those who are generally dismissive of the monarchy, to reflect on the state of the country and the significant changes that have occurred during her reign. Former Prime Minister John Major, one of the queen’s 14 prime ministers, said the monarch’s stoic presence had aided the country’s direction over the decades.
“For nearly 70 years, the queen has symbolized our better selves,” he told the BBC.
The queen thanked everyone who helped organize the celebrations in Britain and across the Commonwealth in a written jubilee greeting. For many, this is their first chance to throw a huge party since the coronavirus outbreak began more than two years ago.
“I’m sure a lot of great memories will be made at these celebrations,” Elizabeth remarked. “I continue to be impressed by the kindness shown to me, and I hope that the following days will allow us to reflect on all that has been accomplished over the last 70 years as we look forward with confidence and joy to the future,” she said.
Leaders from throughout the world have expressed their gratitude. Elizabeth is “the golden thread that unites our two countries,” according to French President Emmanuel Macron and one of the “very few constants” on the international scene.
During his first visit to the palace, former US President Barack Obama noted the queen’s “grace and generosity.” He stated he had “learned so much from witnessing the example she set for all of us who had the honor to serve” and that he had “learned so much from watching the example she set for all of us who had the privilege to serve.”
In a video greeting, Obama said, “Your life has been a gift, not just to the United Kingdom, but to the globe,” adding, “May the light of your crown continue to reign supreme.”
Trooping the Color is the first event of the long weekend, and it refers to a regimental flag, or “color,” that is paraded through the lines. A theatrical reenactment of how battle flags were originally shown to soldiers to ensure they would recognize a critical rallying point if they became disoriented in conflict is part of Britain’s annual ritual for the queen’s birthday.
Every year, a different unit from the army’s Household Division is given the privilege of trooping its color. During the Platinum Jubilee, the 1st Battalion of the Irish Guards will be the center of attention.
Horse-drawn carriages carrying members of the royal family, including Prince William’s wife, Kate, and their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade, a ceremonial parade ground about 1 kilometer (0.6 miles) away, rang out with cheers and the clop of hooves on Thursday.
On Thursday, the queen is due to appear twice on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, but Prince Charles will play a significant role. On behalf of his mother, he and his sister, Princess Anne, and son, Prince William, mounted their horses and saluted from a line of scarlet-clad Guards.
Elizabeth has been having difficulty getting around recently, and her courtiers have been cautious to keep things as simple as possible for her.
Senior royals, including Prince Charles’ wife, Camilla, rode in carriages to a building overlooking the parade area to watch the ceremony.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were among the royals who gathered to observe the event. Harry and Meghan flew to London with their two young children from their home in California to take part in the festivities.
