:quality(80)/cdn-kiosk-api.telegraaf.nl/10b390d6-e25e-11ec-ac73-02d2fb1aa1d7.jpg?fit=%2C&ssl=1 "Queen Elizabeth has been on the throne for 70 years: ‘No one is so popular after so many years’ | entertainment")
entertainment">Millions of people are expected to join in all the festivities that kicked off on Thursday to honor the record-breaking queen as she then sits on the throne for a staggering 70 years. Longer than any of its predecessors, the British government claims.
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entertainment">In a statement, Elizabeth said: “I continue to be inspired by all the kindness people give me. I hope the coming days will give me the opportunity to reflect on all that has been achieved over the past 70 years, as we look to the future with confidence and enthusiasm.”
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People proudly show a flag with Queen Elizabeth
Ⓒ Reuters
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entertainment">The question is to what extent the queen herself will participate in all activities, since she is a year older and somewhat less mobile.
entertainment">The festivities open with a military parade in the heart of London, where she is saluted by 1,500 soldiers and officers standing on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
entertainment">Prince Charles (73) and his eldest son Prince William will take on most of the ceremonial duties. Still, most attention is paid to those who will not be present, Reuters writes.
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Revelers have set up a tent
Ⓒ Reuters
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Prins Andrew
entertainment">The second son Prince Adrew (62) will not be present at the festivities. He settled a lawsuit in February for the alleged sexual abuse of 17-year-old Virginia Giuffre. Prince Harry and his American wife Meghan will attend the parade, but not the gathering on the palace balcony as old and new military planes fly by.
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Britons wear masks with the Queen’s face on them
Ⓒ Reuters
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entertainment">Tuesday is not only the start of all the festivities, but also that of the 70th anniversary of the coronation of Elizabeth, who became queen after the death of her father George VI in February 1952.
entertainment">After all this time she is still loved by much of the British; a survey this week found that eight out of ten people had a positive view of the queen.
Lots of big parties
entertainment">The anniversary will not pass unnoticed; authorities expect some 16,000 street parties across the country on Sunday. With another 600 Jubilee celebrations in 80 countries, from Greenland to New Zealand. Which once again shows how far its popularity reaches.
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The British flag flies all over the world
Ⓒ Reuters
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entertainment">“I can think of no other public figure, president or celebrity, who has remained so popular after all this time,” former British Prime Minister John Major told BBC radio. ,,She lives a public life, with the highs, the lows and the good and bad moments. The Queen has represented the better side of us for over 70 years.” He belongs to the group of no fewer than fourteen leaders who served under her.
Congratulations
entertainment">Pope Francis sent Elizabeth a telegram wishing her, her family and the entire British people “unity, prosperity and peace”. The Queen made several visits to the Vatican during her lifetime. In total, she met five popes.
entertainment">Queen Margrethe of Denmark also sent a telegram to Great Britain. She calls Elizabeth’s anniversary an “unprecedented and remarkable achievement” of historic value. The Queen has always been an “unshakable presence,” she says.
entertainment">French President Emmanuel Macron calls Elizabeth “the golden thread” that links France to Britain and speaks of a “sincere and deep friendship”.
entertainment">Musician Paul McCartney also congratulates Elizabeth. He speaks on Twitter with a photo of him and the queen of “seventy wonderful years” as queen.
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