Elizabeth II has marked the 70th anniversary of her accession to the throne by encouraging Britons to look to the future with “confidence and enthusiasm”. Tens of thousands of people crowded the London Mall from early Thursday morning to attend the parade with which the Platinum Jubilee celebrations have started, followed by the Queen from Buckingham Palace.
The Queen, in a sky blue dress and hat, appeared briefly on the balcony of Buckingham shortly after noon, to attend the changing of the guard and in the company of her cousin, the lanky Duke of Kent, officiating behind her the military salute.
At 96 years old, the Queen wanted to leave behind the turmoil of recent months with a message of continuity, assuring that she continues to be “inspired” by the affection and “good will” of her compatriots. “These days will be an opportunity to reflect on what has been achieved in the last 70 years,” declared the monarch, who thanked the “happy memories” revived by the British on the occasion of the historic anniversary.
Elizabeth II returned to Buckingham Palace for the occasion after the long two-year hiatus imposed by Covid, which forced her to move to Windsor Castle, now her habitual residence. His mobility problems have forced him to limit his appearances in public, although the high point of the Platinum Jubilee will be the long-awaited appearance on the balcony of the palace, closely surrounded by Carlos and Camila, William and Kate, in a nod to their most direct heirs.
Camila and Kate were the first to summon the cameras upon their arrival at the Trooping the Color parade, accompanied on the float by the Duchess of Cambridge’s three children: George, Charlotte and Louis. Princess Anne, on horseback, the Duke and Duchess of Essex and Prince Charles starred in the opening of the pompouses
Harry and Meghan, absent on the Buckigham balcony, also had their role in the initial parade, which the official chroniclers interpreted as a sign of reconciliation launched by the Queen, who will finally meet her granddaughter Lilibet on Saturday, the same day of his first birthday.
The most notorious absence during the festivities will be that of Prince Andrew, after criticism received for his starring role during the act at Westminster Abbey in which he lent his arm to the Queen. Elizabeth II has decided to dispense this time with the presence of her favorite son, after the Virginia Giuffre sexual abuse scandal, finally closed with a millionaire out-of-court settlement.
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