It is 8 a.m. in Buckingham and large numbers are marching towards Pall Mall. This is the route that the official parade will take at 11 a.m. Many are dressed up as if going to a wedding. They have suits and elegant dresses. Cathrin, a petite lady aged 76+, took the train at 4:45 a.m. just to get there. This vintage dress, which has been worn to the Queen’s coronation, is decorated with many Union Jack flags.
Cathrin is not the only one. Many wear the Union Jack on their clothing, jewelry, and even make-up. More or less! Buckingham Palace looks like a beehive. Here, whole families gather, including grandparents and grandchildren in wheelchairs. Many have folding chairs and are well-organized. Some took tissues (Union Jack) to sit on the grass in the park.
The campers who have been there for a few nights are in the front row. However, they have moved their tents to the back, so everyone can enjoy it. It is a wonderful atmosphere. Everyone smiles and no one grumbles despite the long wait in hopes of seeing the queen. Jenny says, “I hope to see her. She’s not in the best of health. It’s not something I believe. “However, everyone is there not just to celebrate the queen – she has been working since 1970! “I won’t” – but also the United Kingdom. Even though the country appeared little mobilized the previous day, this Thursday morning is quite the opposite. “We unite to party,” says one of the royal guards that sells programs. The weather is also nice
Although the crowd is dense, movement is fluid. They are friendly and helpful, even though they are not smiling. “But in reality, we fear sunburns more than anything.”
It takes a long time to wait for the parade. The crowd cheers and screams when the cleaning vehicle arrives to clean the roads. A woman suddenly throws herself onto the road and screams against the monarchy. The police gently dismiss her sign, but she doesn’t have the time to show it.
The parade finally begins. The parade begins with people squeezing together. Some climb on chairs while others stand on the bars of Saint-James Park. Everyone is smiling. There is no nervousness. No one word is more important than the next. All are one. They warn everyone by squatting on their parents’ shoulders. All the cellphones are ready to film when they announce a carriage.
First to go are Kate Middleton, her two sons and Camilla. The royal guard then parades. In one hour, more than 1,200 soldiers will be passed. The royal family will not be able to pass until the end. The horseback rides of Charles, William, and Anne were the first. Next, Kate and Camilla were again in their carriage. Jenny, in despair, says that if the queen had marched she would have been first. Although nobody believed the queen would show up, everyone hoped that she would.
Little Alicia Finn O’Shea was one of those who waited for her. She was just a newborn during the 2012 Diamond Jubilee. She was presented to the queen by Claire, her mother. Today she dresses like a princess and wears the Union Jack headband that Elizabeth II wore to welcome her. Eliza, her sister, chose to be a balleterina. Although she was disappointed, she still had fun. She was disappointed because, like many children, she would rather go to the park and get ice cream than wait for the parade.
After the parade is over, a portion of the crowd moves towards the palace. It was in vain. Only ticket holders, accredited media, and guests had access to the famous balcony from which the Queen appeared. Louis also plugged his ears. It’s true that she is in poor health. The parade would have been her only chance to see her. Not just on televisions.
Rest goes to family parties and pubs. Even the royal guards, in their black fur hats. They find their loved ones in front of their barracks and can finally breathe… in a pub adjacent to the military building.
This popular jubilee was desired by the royal family. They were able to unite their subjects on the Thursday that marked the start of the celebrations, despite the disunity that has reigned since Brexit. This was perhaps the final feat of Elizabeth II. She is a queen with unmatched longevity.
