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Royal appearance: Brian May from the rock band Queen performs in front of Buckingham Palace at the jubilee concert for Queen Elizabeth II.
Photo: WPA Pool/Getty Images
At a big concert in front of Buckingham Palace with many stars from music, society and sport, thousands celebrated the 70th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II's throne in London.
The Queen herself made the start in a video clip that showed her having tea with the popular film character Paddington.
"Thanks for everything," said the bear - then the rock band Queen opened the show.
The US singers Alicia Keys and Diana Ross were to appear on several stages.
Around 30 members of the royal family were among the 22,000 spectators.
The Queen is on screen, but not there herself
Although the Queen was on screen, she stayed away from the spectacle in her honour.
The 96-year-old monarch repeatedly has mobility problems.
Her grandson Prince Harry and his wife Duchess Meghan were not there either.
At the end of the two-and-a-half-hour “Platinum Party at the Palace” organized by the BBC, the heir to the throne, Prince Charles, also wanted to speak.
The mega concert ended the third day of the anniversary celebrations.
On Sunday there is still a »Street Pageant«, a kind of street carnival.
The Queen has been in office since 1952 - longer than any monarch on the British throne before.
ktz/dpa