LONDON. The great celebrations for the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II start today, of which a new official portrait has been released for the occasion, in which she appears radiant sitting near a window in Windsor Castle. In her message to the nation, the monarch said she was “inspired by the goodwill” shown to her by her subjects and wished the celebrations would provide an opportunity to reflect on the country’s successes since 1952, when her long Kingdom.
“Thanks to all who have been involved in bringing together communities, families, neighbors and friends to celebrate my Platinum Jubilee, in the United Kingdom and throughout the Commonwealth,” said the sovereign, 96 years of which 70 on the British throne. . The country is boiling and over the next few days there will be lunches, street and garden parties, screenings. There will also be 800 jubilee events, in more than 80 countries, from Greenland to New Zealand.
For days, some avid “supporters” of the monarchy and of Elizabeth II’s steadfast leadership have camped along the Mall – the road to Buckingham Palace – to get a better view of today’s celebrations in central London. Wrapped in Union flags, they came from all over the world to see the armed forces take part in Trooping the Color, the colorful British Army regimental parade that opens the celebrations: the parade has celebrated more than two centuries. the birthday of all British monarchs.
But this time the event will be special: it will also be attended by the Duke of Cambridge, William, the future British king destined to ascend the throne after the Prince of Wales. About 7 thousand people will be able to attend the parade on site that will end with the flyover of the RAF planes and the view of the Royal Family from the balcony. Garden parties will be everywhere: just think that at John Lewis, deck chair sales increased by 1,965% and teapots by 317% compared to last week. The government has extended the closing time of the pubs until one in the morning, to allow partying until late, and televisions across the country will offer a special uninterrupted program to broadcast the jubilee acts: the religious service in the cathedral of Saint Paul tomorrow, Saturday the big concert near Buckingham and the Jubilee Parade on Sunday. Union Jack flags fly everywhere in the streets and gardens, the face of the queen, the only elderly monarch in British history to touch the milestone of her 70 years of reign, is everywhere.
The subjects have indulged themselves and the tributes are the strangest: there are those who knitted the effigy of the monarch, in a great evening dress, complete with decorations and choirs alongside; who has replicated it, life-size, but building it with sponge cake and marzipan; at Legoland Buckingham Palace was replicated, complete with a military procession. There are also those who have replicated the silhouettes of the Family overlooking the balcony of the Royal Palace. That will be one of the key events, already tomorrow, carefully scrutinized by the «royal watchers». There will be no Harry and Meghan, the dukes of Sussex who made the “great refusal” in 2020 and who, however, return home for the occasion. With them their children return to London, Archie born in London 3 years ago, but also Lilibet Diana, who has never set foot in the United Kingdom: on Saturday the little girl – to whom the dukes wanted to give the term of endearment with which the Queen is known in the family as well as that of his never forgotten mother, the Princess of Hearts – will be one year old.