On the first weekend of June 2012, Britain widely celebrated the 60th anniversary of the reign of her queen. On this Saturday and Sunday, London turned into a huge festive venue. Thousands of Englishmen from other cities arrived in the capital to take part in this event.
Queen Elizabeth II is perhaps the most famous crowned special person of our time. She is popular not only among her subjects, but throughout the world. The date of the actual accession of the English monarchy to the throne is February 6, 1952, when her father George VI passed away. However, the celebrations marking the 60th anniversary of her reign were carried over to warmer summers.
In early June 2012, the capital of the kingdom noticeably changed: London was decorated and prepared for the festivities. They lasted for 4 days, from June 2 to 5, which were declared days off. But this is not the only gift that the queen presented to her subjects. She arranged a free lottery, the winners of which were 5, 000 invitations for 2 persons. 10, 000 lucky people from all over the country went to Buckingham Palace on June 5.
The Queen’s schedule, as usual, was drawn up long before the significant date. On the morning of June 2, a salvo of cannons was fired in London, Edinburgh, Belfast and Cardiff, announcing the start of the celebrations. Then Elizabeth II, along with family members and her entourage, visited horse racing in Epsom Derby. A motorcade of cars proceeded across the field to the loud cheers of the crowd. About 150, 000 spectators gathered at the hippodrome that Saturday.
On Sunday, June 3, a water parade took place, which fell into the Guinness Book of Records as the largest procession of ships. The queen was on the Chatwell Spirit barge, which led the flotilla. The 6-hour action was broadcast throughout the country on giant screens installed on the streets of large cities. Live it was watched by 1.2 million people. Many British have picnics and lunches in honor of the Queen, gathering relatives and friends.
On Monday, July 4, a rock concert was held in the square in front of Buckingham Palace, in which British stars took part: Elton John, Shirley Bassi, and others. At the end of musical performances at 22 hours throughout the kingdom and in the Commonwealth countries (Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Union of South Africa and Ireland) lighthouses were lit. In total there were about 4000, the last of which was lit by the ruler herself at 22:30. Immediately after this, a festive salute thundered around the palace.
On Tuesday June 5, the entire royal family and close associates visited St. Paul’s Cathedral, where a festive church service was held. Then Elizabeth II drove through the streets of London, sitting in a carriage and welcoming thousands of Britons gathered along them. A picnic was arranged for the 10, 000 elected near Buckingham Palace, and then they could see firsthand the appearance of the crowned lady on the balcony, from which she, in turn, watched the parade of the air forces.
Like all grandiose events, the diamond anniversary of the reign of the Queen of England was not without surprises. The most unpleasant of them was a hurricane and freezing rain that hit the capital on Sunday morning just before the start of the water parade. However, the audience, trembling from the cold, did not go home, but courageously greeted their favorite.
