U.K. Celebrates Queen Elizabeth II’s 70 Years as Monarch / The four-day festivities for Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee begin in Britain today, that is, for her 70 years on the throne, which were formally completed on 6 February. The British government has promised celebrations "that happen once in every generation". So today and tomorrow, Friday, is a holiday all over the United Kingdom.
The festivities will begin with the Trooping the Color military ceremony, in which they will participate over 1.200 soldiers of the Royal House Division with 240 horses, ten military bands and about 400 musicians.
Later the queen and active members of the royal family will appear on Buckingham's balcony to greet the world. At the same time, dozens of fighter jets will fly in the London sky in her honor, as she is now the only monarch in the United Kingdom to close 70 years on the throne.
Late night across the country, but also in the countries of the Commonwealth, torches will be lit.. The trigger will be given by the central torch set up by Buckingham Palace.
Among the many festive events that will follow in the coming days is the big "BBC Party" on Saturday night. A stage has already been set up opposite Buckingham's entrance where pop and rock concerts will take place with 22.000 audience. Many artists will appear on stage, but also prominent personalities of the United Kingdom. Μεταξύ αυτών οι Queen με τον ‘Ανταμ Λάμπερτ, η Νταϊάνα Ρος, η Αλίσια Κις, ο Αντρέα Μποτσέλι, οι Duran Duran, και ο Κρεγκ Ντέιβιντ. Το παρών θα δώσει επίσης ο γνωστός περιβαλλοντιστής σερ Ντέιβιντ Ατένμπορο, αλλά και ο ηθοποιός και ένθερμος υποστηρικτής της επιστροφής των Γλυπτών του Παρθενώνα στην Ελλάδα Στίβεν Φράι. Από τον αθλητικό χώρο θα εμφανιστούν ο Ντέιβιντ Μπέκαμ και η νεαρή βρετανίδα τενίστρια Έμμα Ραντουκάνου.
Η βασίλισσα θα παρακολουθήσει τη συναυλία από την τηλεόραση στο Κάστρο του Ουίνδσορ.
On Sunday the celebrations will end with over 200.000 outdoor picnics and organized meals between citizens in various neighborhoods of the country while in the afternoon around the streets of the palace and the parliament there will be a large parade with the participation 10.000 people.
– 70 years on the throne. –
When Queen Elizabeth ascended the throne, The Soviet Union was ruled by Joseph Stalin, China by Mao Zedong and the United States by Harry Truman. They have since passed the US presidency 14 presidents while on Downing Street have been hosted 14 prime ministers. From them, perhaps the most important to Elizabeth was Winston Churchill. There are many historians who consider him her mentor. It is typical that, when Churchill 1955 retired from politics, Queen Elizabeth wrote in her farewell letter, among other things: "I will always hold a position for my first prime minister, to which my husband and I owe so much. For whose wise guidance, during the first years of my reign, I will always be deeply grateful ".
Although its role is essentially ceremonial and does not have any political power, however for many in Britain it is a factor of stability. It is known that 4 to 5 British people still have a positive opinion of Queen Elizabeth despite the huge scandals that have plagued the palace all these years.
– Personal life –
Queen Elizabeth married Prince Philip, later Duke of Edinburgh. at 20 November 1947 at Westminster Abbey. Three months later she became pregnant with their first child, τον διάδοχο του βρετανικού θρόνου πρίγκιπα Κάρολο. Με τον σύζυγο της έκαναν ακόμη τρία παιδιά: την πριγκίπισσα ‘Αννα, τον πρίγκιπα Ανδρέα και τον πρίγκιπα Εδουάρδο. Σήμερα θα γιορτάσει το Πλατινένιο Ιωβηλαίο χωρίς τον σύζυγο της, ο οποίος έφυγε από την ζωή πέρυσι τον Απρίλιο.