Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee 2022: Queen says she is 'deeply touched' by jubilee celebration
The queen is the first British monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee.
The U.K. threw a once-in-a-generation celebration for Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee.
The 96-year-old queen is the first British monarch in history to reach a Platinum Jubilee, which marks 70 years on the throne.
Elizabeth ascended to the throne on Feb. 6, 1952, following the death of her father, King George VI.
The queen's Platinum Jubilee celebration included everything from Trooping the Color to a National Service of Thanksgiving, a star-studded concert led by Diana Ross, thousands of lunches and street parties across the country and a final appearance by the queen herself.
Latest updates:
Floats, performances showcase Queen Elizabeth II’s 70-year reign
The party is continuing outside Buckingham Palace as thousands of people take part in the Platinum Jubilee Pageant.
Open-top buses decorated to represent each decade of Queen Elizabeth II’s 70-year reign have passed by the palace, where members of the queen’s family are watching, including Princes George and Louis and Princess Charlotte and many more of the queen’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Sunday’s pageant is the grand finale to the queen’s four-day Platinum Jubilee celebrations. It is divided into four acts: “For Queen and Country,” represented by a military parade; “The Time of Our Lives,” celebrating innovation; “Let’s Celebrate,” a festival of music and dance; and “Happy and Glorious,” performances by “national treasures.”
The pageant will conclude with a performance by Ed Sheeran.
Prince Charles, Camilla raise a toast at Jubilee Lunch
Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, raised a toast Sunday at a "Big Jubilee Lunch" at the Oval Kennington, a cricket ground in London.
Thousands of jubilee lunches are being held across the U.K. and the Commonwealth this weekend in honor of Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee.
Over 10 million people in the U.K. alone are expected to join lunches, according to the royal family's website.
The goal of the lunches is to "share friendship, food and fun," according to the website.
Among the celebrations was a jubilee lunch held on The Long Walk in Windsor, near where the queen is staying at Windsor Castle.
Elizabeth's son, Prince Edward, and his wife Sophie, Countess of Wessex, attended the lunch, which attempted to break the world record for the longest dinner table with nearly 500 tables.
Royals watch Platinum Jubilee Pageant at Buckingham Palace
A nearly 2-mile procession in the streets around Buckingham Palace is underway on the fourth and final day of Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
Thousands of people are taking part in the procession, known as the Jubilee Pageant, and thousands of people have also gathered on the streets to watch.
Among those watching the parade are members of the royal family, including Prince William and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, and their three children, Princes George and Louis and Princess Charlotte.
Leading the procession is the Gold State Coach, a royal carriage that dates back to the 1700s.
The queen rode in the carriage during her 1953 coronation and silver and golden jubilees.
Elizabeth, 96, is not riding in the carriage in today’s procession, but viewers can see a hologram of her at her coronation projected onto the carriage.
According to its organizers, the Pageant combines “street arts, theatre, music, circus, carnival and costume to celebrate Her Majesty’s unwavering duty, love of the natural world and dedication to the Commonwealth.”
George, Charlotte and Louis bake cupcakes for Platinum Jubilee
Princes George and Louis and Princess Charlotte, three of Queen Elizabeth II’s great-grandchildren, baked cupcakes to celebrate the queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
The siblings are seen in a video shared on Twitter baking cupcakes alongside their mom Kate, Duchess of Cambridge.
According to the video’s caption, the cupcakes are for a Platinum Jubilee street party taking place Sunday in Cardiff.
Kate and her husband, Prince William, brought George and Charlotte with them on a royal engagement Saturday in Cardiff. The family visited Cardiff Castle and met performers and crew taking part in a jubilee concert at the castle.
Queen Elizabeth II sends thank you message
Queen Elizabeth II shared a written thank you message on Sunday to mark the end of four days of celebrations for her Platinum Jubilee.
"When it comes to how to mark seventy years as your Queen, there is no guidebook to follow. It really is a first. But I have been humbled and deeply touched that so many people have taken to the streets to celebrate my Platinum Jubilee," Elizabeth wrote. "While I may not have attended every event in person, my heart has been with you all; and I remain committed to serving you to the best of my ability, supported by my family."
"I have been inspired by the kindness, joy and kinship that has been so evident in recent days, and I hope this renewed sense of togetherness will be felt for many years to come," the queen continued. "I thank you most sincerely for your good wishes and for the part you have all played in these happy celebrations."
The queen signed her message with her first name, Elizabeth, followed by the letter R, which stands for Regina, the Latin word for queen.
