Many stars mark Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee

(London) A host of stars, including legendary British group Queen, lit up crowds in London on Saturday at a grand concert that celebrated the historic 70th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign, but without the weary sovereign.

Alicia Keys, Andrea Bocelli, Duran Duran… The great names of the pop or classical scene paraded on stage, in front of Buckingham Palace, in this show that closed the third and penultimate day of the Queen’s platinum jubilee festivities. 96 years old, with a longevity unmatched in the UK.

Queen, with Adam Lambert on vocals, opened the evening with several of their hits like We are the Championsin front of 22,000 spectators waving Union Jack flags, as well as Crown Prince Charles and his eldest son William, who attended with his wife Kate and two of their children.

Tens of thousands of spectators, without tickets, followed the concert on giant screens in the Mall, a prestigious artery overlooking the palace.

“It’s wonderful to be back,” Queen guitarist Brian May told the BBC 20 years after performing the national anthem. God save the Queen perched on the roof of the palace, for the sovereign’s golden jubilee.

But the real star of the evening, Elizabeth II, was absent due to poor health, having preferred to watch the concert on television, broadcast live by the BBC.

Beloved for her sense of duty and deadpan humor, however, she made a surprise appearance in a short humorous video posted before kick-off, where she has tea with the game’s bumbling icon, Paddington Bear. British children’s literature.

” Breast ”

The heir to the crown, Prince Charles, 73, paid a vibrant tribute to “Her Majesty” who is also his “mother”.

“Thank you” for this “whole life in service to others,” he said, in front of a cheering crowd. “You have laughed and cried with us and above all you have been there for these 70 years,” she added, recalling the promise that Isabel had made to the princess, at age 21, to serve her subjects all her life.

Despite her failing health, the queen shows no desire to abdicate, even as she increasingly hands over her eldest son to represent her.

His grandson William gave him a plea for the planet in front of a palace that serves as the backdrop for majestic illuminations.

A symbol of stability in a century of great turmoil, the ultra-popular Elizabeth II ascended the throne at the age of 25 on February 6, 1952.

Many pre-recorded tributes also poured in during the night, from celebrities such as James Bond actor Daniel Craig, former First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama, and pop legend Elton John, who gave a moving rendition of Your song.

American diva Diana Ross, 78, “absolutely delighted to be asked to perform on such an important occasion”, closed a two-and-a-half-hour evening celebrating the contribution of the UK and Commonwealth countries to music , the environment, sports and musicals in the last 70 years.

“Last Queen”

A joyful parenthesis of patriotic unity amid the cost-of-living crisis, the jubilee celebrations extend into Sunday, thanks to a four-day long holiday weekend.

So far, the Queen has only appeared on the first day on Thursday, cheering twice on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.

But having suffered “upset”, he missed the church service in his honor on Friday at St Paul’s Cathedral. However, passionate about horses, she also gave up on Saturday to go to the famous Epsom Derby horse race, which she rarely missed.

His attendance for the curtain drop on Sunday has not been confirmed.

Among those absent from Saturday’s concert were also Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, who had come from California but had chosen to celebrate the first birthday of their daughter Lilibet, whom the queen would have met for the first time, in private.

On Sunday, the rain could spoil the party when tens of thousands of outdoor lunches between neighbors are planned.

A big parade should end the celebrations in London at the end of the afternoon with some 10,000 participants.

It will end in front of Buckingham Palace, where Ed Sheeran is due to sing his famous ballad in honor of the Queen. Perfect.

Many of those attending the jubilee celebrations knew that this might be the last time they would see their sovereign.

“She is our last queen. And I think she’s a wonderful queen,” Wendy Flynn, a housewife at a London block party, told AFP.