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LONDON (AFP) – Next week, the United Kingdom will celebrate in style its “Platinum Jubilee”, 70 years of Elizabeth II’s reign, with hilarious parades, neighborhood parties, a grand gala concert and a royal family in full transition.
After the difficult years of the pandemic, the entire country will be out to celebrate during four public holidays, from Thursday to Sunday, as the streets fill with British flags and the air is the scent of barbecues.
Vendors of food, drink and souvenirs are hoping for an early summer and about 45 million liters of beer will be consumed, according to the Association of Breweries and Bars, which will remain open until 1 a.m. instead of the usual 11 p.m.
The festivities will begin on Thursday with the traditional Trooping the Color or Parade of the Banner, which for more than 250 years annually celebrates the Queen’s official birthday.
It was canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic, and this year is supposed to attract a large crowd, including tourists.
Until recently, the queen herself received troops on horseback. But this year, at 96 and with serious mobility issues, she will be replaced by her heir Prince Charles, who is 73 and is gradually taking on more jobs under a gradual royal transition.
The Queen’s health has been a cause for concern since doctors ordered her to rest in October and was taken to hospital overnight to undergo medical ‘exams’ that were never specified.
She’s been canceling out on countless events and barely seen for months, until in recent weeks she’s reappeared smiling at equestrian competitions or opening a metro line in her name, acts before the jubilee celebrations he doesn’t seem to like. To be lost, to the satisfaction of his subjects.
“If we don’t see the Queen on Jubilee, millions of people will be disappointed,” veteran royal photographer Arthur Edwards told AFP.
Without Henry and Megan
The Banner Parade always ends with members of the royal family appearing on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
But this year, the king decided that only “members of the royal family who carry out official public obligations” are out, the royal house said.
This excludes Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, who after leaving the monarchy in 2020 went to live in California – where the former American actress belongs – and from there made harsh accusations against the royal family, even accusing some of its members of a crime. racism.
It also excludes Prince Andrew, 62, the queen’s third son, and considered him “her favourite”, but he has been removed from public life due to his relationship with the late American expatriate Jeffrey Epstein, and the accusations of one of his victims of assault that reached a secret financial settlement out of court.
However, they can all participate in other Jubilee events, which will include Thanksgiving Mass at London’s St Paul’s Cathedral, a massive concert outside Buckingham Palace, and tens of thousands of picnics and meals. Enjoy, among the proposals of over 5,000 Hobby Chefs, to celebrate the occasion.
Sunday’s festivities will culminate in a grand parade featuring everything from the Queen’s golden carriage to large dolls representing her favorite animals, including Bollywood’s Indian dancers and British-Caribbean carnival actors, marking the transformation of society since the Queen took the throne in 1952.
© 2022 AFP
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