London : Huge crowds converged on central London in bright sunshine on Thursday for the start of four days of public events to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s historic Platinum Jubilee, in what could be the last major public event of her long reign. From early morning, a steady stream of people, many clutching Union flags and picnic baskets, headed to The Mall near Buckingham Palace, where the 96-year-old monarch will make two appearances later. But as well as seeing the pomp and pageantry of the Trooping the Colour military parade, many sensed the coming end of an era. Ambulance service worker Gilbert Falconer, 65, travelled from Scotland to witness the event, which is held to mark the queen’s official birthday. We know it’s a special occasion because it might be the last day we’ll see Her Majesty in a public event, he said.
This is very significant, added another spectator Daniel Marmah. It’s the first time we’ve had a monarch who’s lasted for so many years. The extent of the queen’s involvement in the celebrations for her record-breaking 70 years on the throne has been a source of speculation for months. She has had to cut back drastically her public appearances since last year because of difficulties standing and walking — and a bout of Covid. But royal officials confirmed that she would take the salute of mounted troops from the balcony. The centuries-old ceremony has previously seen the queen take the salute on horseback herself. Her 73-year-old son and heir Prince Charles will step in this year, supported by his sister Princess Anne, 71, and his eldest son, Prince William, 39. Joining senior royals watching the display of military precision will be Charles’ younger son, Prince Harry, and his wife Meghan, on a rare visit from California, Buckingham Palace confirmed. But the queen’s disgraced second son, Prince Andrew, 62, is not expected to join them. She will return to the balcony later to watch a fly-past of military aircraft, including iconic models from World War II, the palace said. At nightfall, the queen will be at Windsor Castle, west of London, to take part in a ceremony to light more than 3,000 beacons across the country and the Commonwealth of 54 nations that she heads.