Hundreds of thousands of people cheered wildly and waved flags in a massive display of love and loyalty yesterday as Queen Elizabeth II rode through London in a golden carriage to celebrate the 50th anniversary of her reign.
Smiling and waving, the Queen was escorted by her royal guards as she and Prince Philip journeyed in the massive, ornate Gold State Coach, an elaborate 18th century carriage drawn by eight white horses and used by British monarchs for generations.
PHOTO: AFP
Throngs of ecstatic onlookers cheered and applauded, many of them lined up 10 deep along the route, as the queen went to Saint Paul's Cathedral for a service of thanks. A sea of red, white and blue British flags waved overhead as the roars of the crowds echoed through the narrow streets.Police estimated at least 700,000 people watched the procession in a massive show of support for the monarch, who has weathered 50 years of enormous change and occasional family scandal and embarrassment during her reign.
Britain's celebration of the Golden Jubilee showed no sign of flagging as it entered its fourth and final day. On Monday night, in one of the largest crowds ever seen in London, an estimated 1 million people gathered around the palace to watch a galaxy of mostly British rock stars on video screens.
The celebrations yesterday focused on a solemn, regal celebration of the queen's 50 years of rule with the royal household and the military mounting a lavish display of royal pageantry.
Prince Charles and Princess Anne in uniform rode behind the queen on horseback as other members of the royal family rode ahead in open carriages. Amid all the splendor and elaborate uniforms, the queen was dressed simply in a pale blue coat and dress with matching hat.
The Household Cavalry, wearing silver breastplates and plumed helmets and grasping swords as they rode black horses, escorted the carriage. Royal musicians in gold and black uniforms and riding giant shire horses played in the procession.
Royal guardsmen in red tunics and towering black bearskin hats lined the route, their rifles held rigidly at attention. Sailors and Royal Marines in blue and white and troops of the Royal Air Force also were on guard.
Gunners of the Royal Horse Artillery fired a 41-gun salute in the nearby royal parks.
A massed choir of some 1,000 singers and musicians greeted the monarch with a chorus from Handel composed for the coronation of George II in 1727 as she set off from the palace for St. Paul's.
"God save the Queen," a choir thundered as she arrived at Saint Paul's.
People came from all over the world to join the celebration.
Waving British and Australian flags, Sophie Charlton of Australia, said, "It's a wonderful celebration. I am celebrating the Queen's 50 years and it has been a wonderful 50 years. She is an incredible woman and a great inspiration."
Keith Sullivan, 38, dressed in a British flag, said: "I just wanted to be here to soak up the atmosphere, just to say that I was there. It's a fun day and she is someone we can be proud of."
Hundreds of people had camped on sidewalks overnight to ensure they had good spots for yesterday's procession. Many had attended the concert Monday night and decided to stay on and wait for the parade despite rain and chilly temperatures.
Sandra Lister, who waited on the streets all night with her grandson Ashley, 11, said the discomfort had been worthwhile.
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