The smiling Queen Elizabeth waved to the cheering crowd that gathered outside Buckingham Palace on Thursday as Britain began four Days of bustle, parties, and parades to celebrate his record 70th year on the British throne.
Tens of thousands of flag-waving royal supporters lined the streets of London to take part in a military parade at the start of the four-day Platinum Year. Millions of people across Britain and the world are expected to watch the carnival and take part in street parties and beacons in honor of the 96-year-old Queen.
Elizabeth, leaning on a cane and wearing the dark dove blue outfit she also wore for the official Jubilee photo shoot, with her son and heir apparent Prince Charles, 73, and other family members royals on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
While the family waved to the crowd and enjoyed a Royal Air Force flying party, Prince William’s 4-year-old son Louis covered his ears and screamed as the planes roared howling over her head. He then jumped up and down as the Red Arrow jet launched streaks of red, white, and blue smoke.
Elizabeth has been on the throne longer than any of her predecessors and is the third longest-reigning monarch of a sovereign nation. Opinion polls show that she is still extremely popular and well-respected by Britons.
World leaders including US President Joe Biden, Emmanuel Macron of France, Pope Francis, and former British prime ministers were among those sending messages of goodwill.
The celebrations begin with Trooping the Colour, a military parade held annually to mark the Queen’s official birth, where 1,500 soldiers march to the sound of military bands in sets. scarlet tunic and bearskin hat.
