U.K. kicks off Platinum Jubilee celebrations for Queen Elizabeth II

Platinum Jubilee celebrations in the United Kingdom have officially begun, as the nation pays tribute to longtime monarch Queen Elizabeth II's record-breaking 70 years on the throne.

Thousands of Brits gathered in central London on Thursday for a gun salute, as well as the Trooping the Colour military parade marking the queen's official birthday. Around 1 p.m. local time, the 96-year-old monarch herself made an appearance on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, surrounded by members of the royal family, including her son Prince Charles and his son Prince William. Notably absent were both Prince Harry — the queen's grandson, who stepped back from royal duties in 2020 — and Prince Andrew — the queen's second son, whose association with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein has essentially banished him from the spotlight.

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Brigid Kennedy

Brigid Kennedy worked at The Week from 2021 to 2023 as a staff writer, junior editor and then story editor, with an interest in U.S. politics, the economy and the music industry.