Colourful pageant, avenue fests cap Queen’s Platinum Jubilee

A vibrant avenue pageant highlighting Britain’s range paraded by central London on Sunday, the ultimate day of a protracted vacation weekend honouring Queen Elizabeth II’s 70 years on the throne.

In a crowning second for her Platinum Jubilee, Queen Elizabeth II waved at tens of hundreds of adoring crowds from the balcony of Buckingham Palace, delighting followers who had hoped to catch a glimpse of her throughout the last day of festivities.

With the ringing of bells at Westminster Abbey, a spectacular army parade that includes 200 horses started the ceremony as they marched down the Mall to Buckingham Palace.

Soldiers parade throughout the Platinum Jubilee Pageant exterior Buckingham Palace in London (AP Photo)

They flanked the gilded gold state coach, a horse-drawn carriage that transported the queen to her coronation 69 years in the past.

The queen wasn’t participating within the pageant although a digital model of her, drawn from archival video from her 1953 coronation, was proven within the coach’s home windows.

The picture of Queen Elizabeth II is seen in a golden carriage throughout the Platinum Jubilee Pageant exterior Buckingham Palace (AP Photo)

Thousands of performers had been scheduled to parade alongside a three-kilometre route, telling the story of the queen’s life with dance, classic vehicles, vibrant costumes, carnival music and big puppets.

The keenest royal followers braved the moist, chilly climate and camped out on the Mall in a single day to safe the perfect view of the pageant. Some got here for the celebrities who could be performing, whereas others needed to be a part of a historic second.

It’s a part of historical past, it is by no means going to occur once more. It’s one thing particular, so if you will do it you have to go massive or go dwelling,” said Shaun Wallen, 50.

The queen hadn’t appeared in public for the Platinum Jubilee events since Thursday, when she smiled and waved on Buckingham Palace’s balcony with her family.

The 96-year-old monarch has curtailed her schedule in recent months due to difficulties in moving around. Prior to Sunday, the queen had only appeared in public twice — both on Thursday — during the four-day holiday weekend’s celebrations. Officials said she experienced “discomfort” during those events.

Huge crowds that lined the Mall outside the palace for the climax of a boisterous, colorful pageant cheered as the monarch emerged on the balcony with Prince Charles, his wife Camilla, and Prince William and his family.

It was an image for the history books and a glimpse into the monarchy’s future, with the queen’s three heirs — her 73-year-old son Charles, eldest grandson William and eldest great-grandson Prince George — by her side.

[From left] Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall Prince Charles, Queen Elizabeth II, Prince George, Prince William, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge stand on the balcony, at the end of the Platinum Jubilee Pageant held outside Buckingham Palace (AP photo)

The queen, dressed in bright green, waved and smiled after the crowds belted out “God Save The Queen.” Her appearance, which only lasted a few minutes, was followed by a crowd-pleasing performance of ABBA’s “Dancing Queen.”

Earlier, she delighted the country when she appeared in a surprise comedy video that opened a concert Saturday staged in front of Buckingham Palace.

In the video, the monarch had tea with a computer-animated Paddington Bear and revealed that, just like the furry character, she was partial to marmalade sandwiches and liked to keep them in her handbag.

The crowd watch a film of Queen Elizabeth II having tea with Paddington Bear on a big screen at the Platinum Jubilee concert (AP Photo)

Diana Ross and the rock band Queen headlined the star-studded tribute concert Saturday night, which also featured Rod Stewart, Duran Duran, Alicia Keys and Andrea Bocelli.

Diana Ross performs at the Platinum Jubilee concert taking place in front of Buckingham Palace (AP Photo)

The celebrities paid tribute to the queen’s decades of service to the UK and the Commonwealth. Prince Charles, her eldest son and heir to the throne, highlighted his mother’s role as a symbol of unity and stability through the decades.

Addressing the queen as Your Majesty, mummy, Charles said: You laugh and cry with us and, most importantly, you have been there for us for these 70 years. On Sunday, Charles and his wife, Camilla, mingled with crowds at The Oval cricket ground in London for a Big Jubilee Lunch.”

Millions throughout the nation likewise set out lengthy tables, balloons and picnic fare for related patriotic avenue events and barbeques. Later Sunday, celebrities together with singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran will belt out God Save The Queen exterior Buckingham Palace as a finale to the pageant. Many hope that the monarch will make a second balcony look to cap the weekend of celebrations.