UK celebrates Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee

London: With columns of Scots and Irish guards, throngs of Union Jack-clad admirers and waves of aircraft roaring overhead, Queen Elizabeth II celebrated 70 years, earning tributes from world leaders. 

At 96, the queen is celebrating 70 years on the throne — the most of any British royal, including her great-great-grandmother, Queen Victoria. 

From its smallest villages to the sprawl of London, Britain lit beacons on Thursday night in honor of its queen’s 70-year reign.

Organizers estimated that more than 1,500 beacons were being lit throughout Britain, in all 54 Commonwealth nations and in overseas territories.

Huge crowds converged on central London for the start of four days of public events to mark Queen Elizabeth II's historic Platinum Jubilee.

Britain's national anthem 'God save the Queen' was played before a ceremony to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee in Paris.

On Thursday afternoon, Queen Elizabeth appeared with family members on the balcony of Buckingham Palace during the Trooping the Color ceremony, and waved to enormous crowds of well-wishers.

The Queen also participated in a beacon lighting ceremony from Windsor Castle in the evening.

Prince Charles, heir to the throne, represented his mother in the ceremonial role which she has traditionally undertaken. He rode on horseback, closely followed by his sister Princess Anne and his son, Prince William.

It is pertinent to mention here that Prince Andrew—the second son of Queen Elizabeth II— has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, forcing him to skip a thanksgiving service that is part of the Platinum Jubilee festivities celebrating his mother’s 70-year reign. 

In the meantime, Queen Elizabeth II has decided to skip a thanksgiving service on Friday, one of the major events of her Platinum Jubilee, after experiencing discomfort on a busy first day of festivities.

The palace said late on Thursday that the queen “greatly enjoyed” the military parade that marked her birthday, but “did experience some discomfort.”