The Hindu : Britain fetes the queen

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jun 05, 2002

International

International

Britain fetes the queen

LONDON JUNE 4. Hundreds of thousands of people cheered wildly and waved flags in a massive display of love and loyalty on Tuesday 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.

Throngs of ecstatic onlookers cheered and applauded, many of them lined up 10 deep along the route, as the queen went to St. 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.

The queen thanked the nation for its support and affirmed her determination to continue to serve. In an unusual, if subtle response to persistent criticism, the queen praised her family, which has battled with a chain of divorces and scandals. "Gratitude, respect and pride, these words sum up how I feel about the people of this country and the (British) Commonwealth — and what this Golden Jubilee means to me," she told a luncheon.

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 one million people gathered around the palace to watch a galaxy of mostly British rock stars on video screens.

The celebrations on Tuesday focussed 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 splendour and elaborate uniforms, the queen was dressed simply in a pale blue coat and dress with matching hat.

— AP

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