Queen receives standing ovation at anniversary equestrian show
The Queen was honored with a standing ovation as her Platinum Jubilee celebrations began with a star-studded equestrian extravaganza featuring some of the world’s leading artists.
Hollywood actors Tom Cruise and Dame Helen Mirren – who once again played a Queen of England – led the cast of entertainers who performed at the first major event to mark the Queen’s 70th reign.
The audience rose in applause and cheering as the monarch arrived at the Arena near Windsor Castle for a musical and theatrical romp through the ages called ‘A Gallop Through History’.
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The Queen was driven to the show (Steve Parsons/PA)
The event was hosted by the Royal Windsor Horse Show, which has welcomed spectators over the past three days, including the monarch, who spent part of her Friday touring the show grounds after previously missing the State Opening of Parliament.
Despite ongoing mobility problems, the Queen proceeded to her place in the Royal Box after being driven into the Castle Arena, accompanied by mounted divisions of the Household Cavalry.
She was joined by her son, the Earl of Wessex, for the show, which reflected her lifelong passion for horses.
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Katherine Jenkins will perform at the equestrian show (Yui Mok/PA)
A tri-service honor guard comprising the Coldstream Guards, RAF Regiment and Royal Navy was in place for the Queen’s arrival, which was signaled by the national anthem played by military musicians.
Celebrities attending the show included Damian Lewis, Omid Djalili and Katherine Jenkins, an all-star cast of British and international talent for Sunday’s performance, which was broadcast live by ITV.
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Tom Cruise poses for a selfie before the Queen’s honor show (Steve Parsons/PA)
Ahead of the event, Cruise was asked by the PA news agency if he was looking forward to the show, where he is expected to announce an element of the performance, and he replied “absolutely”.
Dame Helen, who won an Oscar for her portrayal of the Queen in the film of the same name, played Queen Elizabeth I when the show began, chronicling the events of the first Elizabethan age, from the attempted invasion of the Spanish Armada to leading figures of the day like William Shakespeare.
https://www.independent.ie/world-news/and-finally/queen-receives-standing-ovation-at-jubilee-equestrian-show-41652540.html Queen receives standing ovation at anniversary equestrian show