Jubilee: UK celebrates Queen Elizabeth’s record-breaking 70 years on the throne

Huge crowds massed near London’s Buckingham Palace to glimpse the 96-year-old monarch as nation began four days of pomp, parades and parties

Platinum Jubilee celebrations chance to see other royals too, but Queen’s second son Prince Andrew was not present on Thursday; palace later said he’d tested positive for Covid-19 and would miss a special service on Friday

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Queen Elizabeth, 96, and other royals watch a ‘flypast’ from the balcony of London’s Buckingham Place on the first of four days of celebrations to mark the Platinum Jubilee. The events are to celebrate the monarch’s unprecedented 70 years on the throne. Photo: via AP

Published: 7:16pm, 2 Jun 2022Updated: 11:39pm, 2 Jun 2022

A beaming Queen Elizabeth waved to cheering crowds massed outside London’s Buckingham Palace on Thursday as Britain kicked off four days of pomp, parties and parades to celebrate her record-breaking 70 years on the British throne.

Carrying union flags and picnic bags, some people had slept in tents to secure a spot outside the palace to watch the Trooping the Colour parade – an annual military event since 1760 to mark the sovereign’s official birthday – which began the celebrations.

It involves a regimental flag or “colour” that is trooped through the ranks, with some 1,500 soldiers and officers taking part. Elizabeth took part on horseback until 1986, five years after a man fired six blank shots at her as she rode by. She was unharmed.

Britain’s 96-year-old Queen Elizabeth (centre) and other royals on the balcony of Buckingham Palace on Thursday. Photo: Reuters

The jubilee is also a chance to see the queen and other royals with Prince Charles playing a key role, including taking the salute of passing soldiers on his mother’s behalf.

The queen has had trouble getting around lately, and her courtiers have been careful to keep things as simple for her as possible.

The 96-year-old is Britain’s longest-reigning monarch. The celebrations are giving many people, even those indifferent to the monarchy, a chance to reflect on the state of the nation and the huge changes that have taken place during Elizabeth’s reign.

A scene in London Thursday, the first day of Platinum Jubilee celebrations for Queen Elizabeth. Photo: EPA-EFE

“It’s probably going to be the only time, or one of the only times, that the queen is going to be able to do this,” said Paul Fletcher, 55, who works for the National Health Service (NHS).