LONDON - Royal fans were hoping for an appearance by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace after a colorful street pageant sashays through London on Sunday, the final day of a long holiday weekend celebrating the monarch's 70 years on the throne.Thousands of performers will parade along a three-kilometer (nearly two-mile) route from Horse Guards Parade down the Mall to Buckingham Palace, telling the story of the queen's life with dance, vintage cars, vibrant costumes, carnival music and giant puppets.Festivities will begin with the ringing of bells at Westminster Abbey, and a military band will lead the gilded gold state coach, a horse-drawn carriage that transported the queen to her coronation 69 years ago.The 96-year-old monarch won't take part in the pageant, but archival video of her will be broadcast at the coach's windows.BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND - JUNE 04: Shankill road residents hold a parade and street party in honour of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee on June 4, 2022 in Belfast, United Kingdom. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images) The keenest royal fans braved the wet, chilly weather and camped out on the Mall overnight to secure the best view of the pageant.
Some came for the celebrities who will be performing, while others wanted to be part of a historical moment."It’s part of history, it’s never going to happen again.
It’s something special, so if you are going to do it you’ve got to go big or go home," said Shaun Wallen, 50.The queen hasn't appeared in public for the Platinum Jubilee events since Thursday, when she smiled and waved on Buckingham Palace's balcony with her family.