British star Ed Sheeran will be the crowning glory of the celebrations of 70 years of the reign of Elizabeth II in June, at the end of a historic parade in tribute both to the monarch and to the diversity of the British people, the organizers announced on Tuesday a spectacle.
The parade, one of those “which only happens once in a lifetime” according to organizers, will take place on June 5 in the streets of London and will be the high point of the four days of festivities planned for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
Launched to the sound of the bells of Westminster Abbey, the parade will take place over three kilometers to Buckingham Palace, where Ed Sheeran is to pay a musical tribute to the 96-year-old monarch.
Described as a “national treasure” by the organisers, the British singer claimed to be “proud to be part of the celebrations”. A total of 10,000 soldiers, artists of all kinds and volunteers will participate in the event, broadcast on televisions around the world and which could be attended, according to estimates, by a billion people.
“It’s something unique. In all our history, we have never had the opportunity to celebrate 70 years of reign”, enthuses Adrian Evans, the “conductor” of the parade. After having organized in 2012, for the diamond jubilee, a great nautical parade on the Thames, it decided this year to return to dry land and put the public at the heart of its “People’s Parade” which will pay tribute to seven decades of British culture.
“I wanted to find a way that allowed everyone to participate, so that every community in the UK could play a part and take part in the celebrations in their own way”, he explained to AFP. Aerial performance, music of all styles, street-art, dance, street theatre… “I have created a parade that brings together different styles of artistic performance and celebration. And together they tell the story of the Queen’s reign”.
But will the monarch attend the parade dedicated to her? Will we see her on the balcony at the end of the parade, when the public must storm the huge esplanade at the entrance to the palace and where corgis dogs, her favorites, will be waiting for her?
“We are in contact with the Royal Household regarding the involvement of all members of the Royal Family. Details will be released in due course.”, said the show’s executive director, Rosanna Machado. Elizabeth II has largely withdrawn from public life due to mobility issues. Her appearances have become extremely rare since a brief hospitalization in October, but she attended a religious ceremony in honor of Prince Philip at the end of March, marking her return to the public after months of absence.
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