Queen Elizabeth.Photo: STEVE PARSONS/POOL/AFP via Getty Image
A giant dragon, the size of an iconic London bus, is to be a centerpiece to a carnival celebration ofQueen Elizabeth’s 70 years on the throne.
With wings spanning the iconic Mall that stretches down from Buckingham Palace, the dragon promises to be one of the eye-catching emblems of the Platinum Jubilee Pageant that will snake through London.
Buckingham Palace
The celebration is set for Sunday June 5th, the final day of afour-day weekend of exciting events marking the Queen’s landmark reign.
Around 5,000 people, including marching bands and community groups from around the U.K. and the Commonwealth, will make up the circus-like atmosphere, organizers told the launch at the Victoria & Albert museum in London early on Tuesday.
One feature will also be an interpretation ofthe moment Elizabeth ascended to the throne— when she was in Kenya withPrince Philip. People will be dressed in the elaborate costumes of 250 animals in an interpretation of the reaction of the animal kingdom to the news of the new Queen.
Other announced events of the central weekend of the jubilee include a concert at the palace,Trooping the Colourand a service of Thanksgiving. Street parties are planned for around the U.K on the day of the London pageant.
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With a cost estimated between $14 and $20 million (£10-£15 million), the pageant “harnesses the ingenuity of human and community spirit,” pageant master Adrian Evans said.
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And the life of the Queen’s husband of 73 years,Prince Philip, will also be reflected. “There will be a sprinkling of the Duke of Edinburgh’s presence through all sections of the pageant,” Evans added.
Organizers are holding back some of the main elements for a surprise later on.
source: people.com
