To the rhythm of “Superwoman”, by Alicia Keys, and with images of the life of Elizabeth II projected on the facade of Buckingham Palace, the music world paid tribute this Saturday to the Queen of England for her 70 years on the throne.
Dozens of British musicians, dancers, and representatives of sport and the arts took part in a giant concert in London on the third day of the “Platinum Jubilee”.
The organizers promised to surprise and did not disappoint. A video in which the 96-year-old monarch appears having tea with the iconic “Paddington” teddy bear, and, with a mischievous smile, reveals a sandwich with orange jam hidden in her suitcase, opened the show with humor.
Banging silver spoons on porcelain teacups to the beat of “We Will Rock You”, the monarch and the celebrated character paved the way for the legendary band Queen, with American singer Adam Lambert as lead singer.
This on par if not better than the Olympic James Bond scene.
The Queen having tea with Paddington – incredible that at 96 and after 70 years on the throne she still has the power to surprise #platinumpartyatthepalace pic.twitter.com/88NP1ScpXx— Michael Cowan (@mrmikecowan) June 4, 2022
Guitarist Brian May recalled his 2002 feat, when he played on the roof of the palace during the “Golden Jubilee”, and returned to the heights, this time in front of the statue of Queen Victoria.
A total of 22,000 people attended the show, including Prince Charles and his wife Camilla. Prince William attended with his wife Catherine and children George and Charlotte.
The acclaimed young and popular prince thanked his grandmother for her defense of the environment, while Charles stressed that the queen, the longest-lived monarch in British history, had “made and continues to make history”.
Among the lucky ones who got tickets, David Hitchins, invited for his work for British public health, said he was thrilled. Other tens of thousands of people followed the show through giant screens installed in central London, and millions on TV, like the monarch herself, who, due to fatigue after the first day’s celebrations, had to cancel her presence at other events in Jubilee.
Passionate about equestrianism, the queen was unable to attend the 243rd edition of the most prestigious race in the country, the Epsom Downs Derby. After appearing on her feet last Thursday on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to open the festivities, she felt “a certain unease”, which led her to cancel her presence at a Thanksgiving mass on Friday.
The monarch’s health has been of concern since doctors ordered her to rest in October and it was later learned that she had spent a night in the hospital for medical “examinations” whose nature was never specified.
Since then, she has canceled her presence at numerous official events and started to walk with a cane. She was also infected with the coronavirus in February, which, in her own words, made her “very tired”.
Horses are the queen’s great passion and during her 70-year reign, she has only missed the Derby three times, the last one when in 2020 it was held without spectators due to the pandemic.
This Saturday also marked the first birthday of Lilibet, the youngest daughter of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Leaving aside the tension caused when the couple accused a member of the British monarchy, whose name has not been released, of racism, the two had a meal last Thursday with the royal family, according to the press. Members of the monarchy wished the little girl a happy birthday on Twitter.
Throughout the day, hundreds of thousands of people celebrated Elizabeth II’s 70th birthday with street parties. “We will never see anything like that again, because obviously next time we will have a king. This is our last queen and I think she is magnificent,” commented Wendy Flynn, a resident of London.
Iconic figures of pop and rock passed through the stages installed in front of the palace, from Duran Duran to Rod Stewart, passing by Elton John, who made a video performance, as he was on tour.
Several personalities sent recorded messages, including the former first lady of the United States Michelle Obama, who declared herself “deeply honored to have shared moments” with Elizabeth II.
There was no lack of emotional images or archival audio from the queen. Other international artists, such as American Alicia Keys – who sang her “Superwoman” dedicated to the monarch – and Diana Ross, 78, who closed the concert with her first live performance in the UK in 15 years, stopped by.
The Jubilee celebrations, which began on Thursday with a great military march, will end this Sunday with another parade, this one more festive, to stage the 70 years of reign with music and dance. And with dozens of outdoor picnics, if the forecast rain doesn’t stop you.
Source: With Agencies