Queen Elizabeth II celebrates this Sunday, in privacy, 70 years of reign and marked the moment with the unexpected announcement that she wants Camila, the wife of Prince Charles, to be called queen consort when, or when, her son becomes in king.
In a written message marking her platinum jubilee – a milestone no British monarch had ever achieved before – the 95-year-old Queen expressed her “heartfelt wish” that Camilla “be known as Queen Consort” when Prince Charles, 73 years old, ascend the throne.
Until now, he had never said anything on the subject, which has been the subject of endless controversy for years.
A spokesman said Charles and Camilla were “moved and humbled by the words” from the Queen, who also highlighted the “loyal work” of the Duchess of Cornwall.
The historical character of the event does not, however, change the tradition that does not foresee any official ceremony.
Usually, the queen spends that day at the royal estate in Sandringham, north London.
But this year he surprised with a written statement in which he expressed his “sincere wish” that Camila be the queen consort.
“It is my sincere wish that, when that time comes, Camila will be known as Queen Consort as she continues her own loyal service,” the monarch said in the statement.
February 6 is usually a bittersweet day for Elizabeth II because in addition to her accession to the throne at the age of 25 in 1952, it is also the date of the death of her father, King George VI, to whom she was very attached, of lung cancer.
This year is also the first year that she will celebrate her reign anniversary without her beloved husband, Prince Philip, who passed away in April 2021 at the age of 99.
The monarchy is going through a convulsive period between the accusations of sexual assault against his son, Prince Andrew, and the transfer to the United States of his grandson Harry with his wife Meghan.
Before traveling to Sandringham, the Queen examined objects and messages sent to her on the occasion of her previous jubilees at Windsor Castle, according to Buckingham Palace.
Among them, a card made from bottle caps and a “recipe for a perfect queen” devised by a child.
“It’s quite funny,” he reacted according to the PA agency, about the recipe that requires “500 ml of royal blood”, “a bit of jewelry” and “a pinch of loyalty”.
Dressed in a turquoise suit and with a double brooch of diamonds and aquamarines that her father gave her, Elizabeth II also saw a fan that belonged to Queen Victoria and was able to see the first desserts created in the framework of a jubilee competition of platinum.
On Saturday, he gave a reception at his residence in Sandringham for members of the local community and volunteer groups.
Among the guests was former chef Angela Wood, who contributed to the creation of “Coronation chicken” or “Queen Elizabeth Chicken”, now a classic of British cuisine, cold chicken wrapped in creamy curry sauce
This week, Prime Minister Boris Johnson thanked Elizabeth II for her “tireless” dedication to serving the UK.
The monarch enjoys great popularity in the country despite her appearances becoming increasingly rare since she suffered health problems last fall.
To mark the occasion, commemorative coins were minted and eight stamps were issued depicting her at different times in her reign.
His portrait will be briefly projected on giant screens in various cities around the country.
On Monday, a salvo of 42 guns will be fired in the center of the capital.
In contrast to these low-key tributes, four long-awaited days of festivities across the UK were announced in early June.
Trooping the Colour, the ceremony that officially celebrates its anniversary each year, will take place over the long bank holiday weekend.
It will be a historical reconstruction of the 70-year reign of a monarch who went through different times and different crises. The parade will mix British tradition, history and street artists.
There will also be a big concert at Buckingham Palace and 200,000 popular lunches, one of which, in Windsor, hopes to break the world record for the largest picnic.
He is “someone who is completely dedicated to his task, who has managed his role brilliantly over the years, who is the best known and most traveled head of state in the world,” the royal commentator told AFP. Richard Fitzwilliams.
“It has been a stable presence and has symbolized continuity in a time of radical change, in which the role of the United Kingdom in the world has radically changed,” he added.
Sandringham, where she plans to stay for several weeks, has always been a special place for the monarch. Retirement place of her husband Felipe. It was also where his father died at the age of 56.
According to the press, Elizabeth II took up residence at Wood Farm, a relatively modest and secluded house overlooking the North Sea.
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