London: The Platinum Jubilee celebrations of Queen Elizabeth's coronation began in England extending to a whole four days. The celebrations herald her record-breaking 70 years on the British throne with parties, parades and public holidays.
Starting Thursday, the Platinum Jubilee celebration will include everything from the traditional Trooping the Colour birthday parade for the queen to a star-studded concert led by Diana Ross to thousands of street parties across the country.
British tradition is on full display as the Queen’s Birthday Parade makes its way to Buckingham Palace. The parade includes 1,400 soldiers and 10 military bands marching and playing in unison.
Queen Elizabeth II plays a ceremonial role as the head of the U.K.’s Armed Forces. Each member of the British military swears an oath of allegiance to Her Majesty.
Trooping the Color is the military’s opportunity to impress its commander in chief with all its precision, pomp and pageantry.
Millions of people across Britain and the world are join the events. Senior royals, including son and heir Prince Charles, 73, and his eldest son Prince William, 39, will carry out other ceremonial duties on her behalf.
'Thank you to everyone who has been involved in convening communities, families, neighbours and friends to mark my Platinum Jubilee, in the United Kingdom and across the Commonwealth,' Queen Elizabeth said in a statement.
'I continue to be inspired by the goodwill shown to me, and hope that the coming days will provide an opportunity to reflect on all that has been achieved during the last 70 years, as we look to the future with confidence and enthusiasm.' Elizabeth said.
June 2 marks not only the start of the Jubilee, but also the 69th anniversary of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth, who became queen on the death of her father George VI in February 1952.
June 3 will see a thanksgiving service at London's St. Paul's Cathedral, while on June 4 royal family members will attend the Epsom Derby horse race. Later, there will be a concert outside Buckingham Palace, featuring the likes of rock group Queen, American R&B singer Alicia Keys, and U.S. singer Diana Ross.
On Sunday, officials estimate more than 16,000 street parties will take place in Britain, and the British government says some 600 'Big Jubilee Lunches' will be held in 80 countries from Greenland to New Zealand. Celebrations will conclude with a pageant through the British capital.