An exuberant atmosphere at Charing Cross engulfed us as we ambled towards Admiralty Arch overlooking Buckingham Palace.
The cloudy day did not bother any spirits as everyone walking that way was indeed holding their breath to an amazing Pageantry!
Closing into Trafalgar we noticed the roads getting busier by the minute, organisations were distributing flags and volunteers guiding people toward the pageant route!
Although the event would be covered live on BBC yet we wanted to experience the live atmosphere where thousands of performers from across UK and commonwealth would grandly March to honour the Queen’s 70 year reign.
The Queen’s platinum jubilee pageant was to start at 2:30pm moving from Whitehall toward the Victoria memorial outside Buckingham Palace.
We made our way through the crowds and found a view point before the turn into the Admiralty Arch, there was also a big screen for public viewing.
Many looked forward in anticipation to their national and local representation and of course star lovers looked out for brilliant appearances -their fav stars performing on floats and of course to catch a glimpse of Ed Sheeran..
Trafalgar Square, The Admiralty Arch and The Mall sides were covered in people from all over trying to get a vantage view point. As the float buses and processions deepened with dancing and singing people then began to realise the massive scope of the pageantry.
British fashion stars included Naomi Campbell, Erin O’Connor and Kate Moss together with TV stars and singers all seen on the open buses.
Catherine Jenkins, Chris Eubank, Giles Terera, and Cliff Richard rode a bus down the ceremonial route. Cliff Richard was singing on the bus in the 50’s theme and so followed the musicians, singers and celebrities of that decade and the next few.
The younger royals watching from their pews took a keen interest in the pageant, waving and tapping.
As the parades heightened the sounds of cymbals and drums travelled through the sky permeating the spheres and reverberating back… musical rhythms from every nation including India, Europe, Africa and China echoed!
There was a United effort to represent the nation’s communities to reflect the modern Britain of today!
Performers waved and danced passionately to energetic beats in the procession and the vast crowds kept cheering and waving flags.
There were a plethora of dancers in flamboyant costumes ahead of floats conjuring formations, patterns and aerial patterns!
It felt like a time of fairytale and magic in colour, all performers beaming to pay tributes to Her Majesty by expressing their talents …
There was a kaleidoscopic array of carnival animal costumes, floral costumes, vintage cars and motorcycles, drummers, army parades passing by and it was a positively huge amalgamation of a current Britain’s culture.
The largest float was… that is the child queen in a white dress waving.
The organisers of the pageant engaged around 10,000 performers from various backgrounds of street arts, theatre, music, circus and carnival clubs. The entirety of the group included key workers, charities, volunteers, members of the public and military personnel.
The processions were also themed around climate change and incorporated children’s messages for the future especially the next 70 years. Silk flags had art work on them done by children to bring environment awareness and this part of the pageant seen many young children participate.
The Queen pleasantly surprised everyone towards the end of the parade….emerging radiantly onto the balcony in green smiling!
Together with her family from left- Camilla, Duchess of Cambridge; Prince Charles, Prince of Wales; Queen Elizabeth II; Prince George of Cambridge; Prince William, Duke of Cambridge; Princess Charlotte of Cambridge; Prince Louis of Cambridge; and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge all standing on the balcony during the conclusion to the Platinum Pageant, the historical moment felt honoured!
And as the national anthem began all eyes admiringly swept toward Prince William’s children- Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis all singing the national anthem.
Crowds felt moved watching the Queen and her family, it was a precious endearing moment..
And Princess Charlotte waved while watching her Great Grandma wave, it was indeed the cutest wave!
Singer Ed Sheeran sang “Perfect” as a tribute to Queen Elizabeth at the closing of the parade. The song was dedicated to the Queen and to her late husband, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, who died in April 2021
The Queen has planted more than 1,500 trees over the world during her reign. She is passionate about preserving our green earth and supports it’s cause.
The Tree of trees was illuminated on day 2 when the Queen lit the Jubilee Beacon. It was designed by Thomas Heatherwick to celebrate the Queen’s Green Canopy initiative which has encouraged people across the UK to plant trees for the Queen’s jubilee year. This ingenious structure holds 80 steel “branches” accommodating 350 trees in aluminum pots bearing the Queen’s cypher.
As the lights switched off, the equipment dismantled… soon people made their way home before the closing of the gates and, the military orchestra playing solemnly marched away!
The Queen released a statement soon after the pageant closed- with thanks to her people. “When it comes to how to mark 70 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.
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. I thank you all most sincerely for your good wishes and for the part you have all played in these happy celebrations.”
The Queen at 96 carries on, a radiant Beacon for Britain in a changing society and world, a pillar of strength to her people, committed in service and a ray of hope for our green planet!
We left there with a sense of joy and a hopefulness for a brighter tomorrow…
Long May she reign!!!????
