Jubilee: giant concert and shower of stars to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II in London

Anaïs Cordoba with AFP, edited by Laura Laplaud 07:54, June 05, 2022

A host of stars, including legendary British band Queen, fired up crowds in London on Saturday at a giant concert celebrating Queen Elizabeth II's historic 70-year reign, but without the weary sovereign.

Queen, with Adam Lambert on vocals, kicked off the evening with several of his hits like "We are the Champions", in front of 22,000 spectators waving Union Jack flags, as well as Crown Prince Charles and his eldest son William, who came with his wife Kate and two of their children.

The national anthem sung

Tens of thousands of onlookers, without tickets, followed the concert on giant screens on the Mall, a prestigious artery overlooking the palace.

"It's wonderful to be back," Queen guitarist Brian May told the BBC, 20 years after performing the national anthem "God Save the Queen" perched on the palace roof, for the Queen's Golden Jubilee.

But the real star of the evening, Elizabeth II, was absent due to fragile health, having preferred to watch the concert on television, broadcast live on the BBC.

Beloved for her sense of duty and deadpan humor, she nevertheless made a surprise appearance in a short humorous video released before kick-off, where she has tea with the clumsy icon of the game, Paddington Bear. British children's literature.

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The heir to the crown, Prince Charles, 73, paid a vibrant tribute to "Her Majesty" who is also his "mother".

"Thank you" for this "whole life spent in the service of others", he said, in front of a cheerful crowd.

"You have laughed and cried with us and above all, you have been there for these 70 years," he added, recalling the promise that Elizabeth had made princess, at 21, to serve her subjects all her life.

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His grandson William gave him a plea for the planet in front of a palace serving as a backdrop for majestic illuminations.

A symbol of stability in a century of great upheaval, the ultrapopular Elizabeth II ascended the throne at the age of 25, on February 6, 1952.

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Many pre-recorded tributes also poured in during the evening, from celebrities like James Bond actor Daniel Craig, former First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama or pop legend Elton John, who delivered a moving performance from "Your Song".

American diva Diana Ross, 78, 'absolutely delighted to have been asked to perform on such an important occasion', brought a two-and-a-half-hour evening celebrating the contribution of the UK and the countries to a close. of the Commonwealth to music, the environment, sport and musicals over the past 70 years.

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A joyous parenthesis of patriotic unity in the midst of a crisis in the cost of living, the Jubilee celebrations last until Sunday, thanks to a long four-day holiday weekend.

The Queen has so far only appeared on the first day on Thursday, cheering twice on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.

But having then suffered from "discomfort", she missed the religious service in her honor at Saint Paul's Cathedral on Friday.

Yet passionate about horses, she also gave up on Saturday to go to the famous Epsom Derby horse race, which she very rarely missed.

His attendance for Sunday's curtain fall has not been confirmed.

Among those absent: Prince Harry and his wife Meghan

Among those absent from the concert on Saturday were also Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, who came from California but who had chosen to celebrate the first birthday of their daughter Lilibet, whom the queen would have met for the first time, in private.

On Sunday, the rain could spoil the party when tens of thousands of outdoor lunches between neighbors are planned.

A large parade should end the celebrations at the end of the afternoon in London with some 10,000 participants.

It will end in front of Buckingham Palace, where Ed Sheeran should sing his famous ballad "Perfect" in honor of the Queen.

Many of those attending the jubilee celebrations were aware that this might be the last time they would see their sovereign.

"She's our last queen. And I think she's a wonderful queen," Wendy Flynn, a stay-at-home mom at a street party in London, told AFP.