LONDON, June 2 (Reuters) - Tens of thousands of royal supporters lined the streets of London on Thursday to celebrate Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee and kick off four days of pomp, parties and parades to mark her record-breaking 70 years on the ...
Millions of people across Britain and the world are expected to join street parties, watch the festivities and light beacons in honour of the 96-year-old queen, the government said. She has reigned for longer than any of her predecessors.
Families and friends gathered in bright sunshine on the main grand roads running up to Buckingham Palace, cheering the regimental marching bands, waving Union flags and wearing paper crowns. Many had slept on the streets to secure a good position.A number of people caused a brief disturbance by running out in front of marching soldiers on the Mall boulevard before they were dragged away by police. Police said several people were arrested for public order offences.
Elizabeth, holding a walking stick and wearing a dusky dove blue outfit that she also wore for an official Jubilee photograph released on Thursday, took the salute from the balcony of Buckingham Palace. Her grandson Prince Harry, now living in Los Angeles with his American wife Meghan, watched the parade but will be absent when the royal family gathers on the palace balcony to watch a fly-past by modern and historic Royal Air Force planes after the parade.
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