Skip to main content

Queen Elizabeth's 94th birthday celebrated with social distancing


By Masood Sattar Khan
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Queen Elizabeth II, who turned 94 this April, didn’t celebrate it with traditional trooping or the colourful parade. 

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the queen preferred to celebrate her birthday with a scaled-down, socially distanced ceremony at Windsor Castle. 

On the morning of June 13, the queen watched a performance by a small number of Welsh guardsmen and the band of the Household Division in what was called a mini-trooping. 

The queen had turned 94 back on April 21 but traditionally the second Saturday in June has always been marked her official birthday celebration.

Normally surrounded by family, the queen watched the ceremony alone, flanked by just a few officials, CBS News reported. 

"More spacing between individuals meant that there is also no room for errors and so the soldier has to really concentrate on their own personal drill, reaction to orders, dressing and social distancing," Garrison Seargent Major Warrant Officer Class 1, Andrew Stokes, told BBC News. 

The traditional trooping the colour in London was cancelled due to the pandemic, marking only the second time during the queen's 68-year reign that the parade has not been held. The last time the event was cancelled was in 1995, just three years after the queen's coronation, due to a national rail strike.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Dr. Zeelaf Munir Calls for Supply Chain Reforms to Strengthen Pakistan’s Food Security at Breathe Pakistan 2026

  Karachi: At the recently held Breathe Pakistan 2026 conference, where EBM participated as the principal partner, the company’s Managing Director and CEO Dr. Zeelaf Munir emphasized the urgent need to rebuild Pakistan’s agricultural supply chain to ensure long-term food security and sustainable development. Addressing participants at the event, Dr. Zeelaf Munir stated that while initiatives such as improved seeds, affordable credit facilities, and crop insurance are important, they alone cannot transform the lives of smallholder farmers unless the supply chain that follows agricultural production is fundamentally restructured. She highlighted that Pakistan’s food security is being “made or lost” within the post-farm supply chain, stressing that inefficiencies in storage, transportation, distribution, and market access continue to limit the benefits reaching farmers and consumers alike. Dr. Munir further noted that the transformation required in Pakistan’s agri-food sector must ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Constitution, Justice and Public Trust Essential for National Unity: Speakers

Bazm-e-Mukalma Pakistan organized the 39th Professor Karrar Hussain Memorial Lecture with a question-and-answer session at Rabat Hall, Bahadurabad, on “Lack of National Unity: Causes and Remedies.” Speakers and senior analysts Syed Muzafar Ejaz and Mazhar Abbas said national unity could not be achieved through slogans alone, but required justice, equality, constitutional supremacy, democratic continuity and public trust. They highlighted religious, linguistic, provincial and class-based divisions as major challenges to national cohesion. Mazhar Abbas stressed the importance of institutions working within their constitutional limits, freedom of the press and respect for the people’s right to choose their representatives. The session concluded with an interactive question-and-answer session on national identity, constitutional supremacy, the political system, provincial grievances and the role of state institutions.
Post a Comment
Read more

KDSP: Empowering Individuals with Down Syndrome in Karachi

The Karachi Down Syndrome Program (KDSP), a beacon of hope and support, is making significant strides in empowering individuals with Down syndrome in the city. Founded in March 2014 by a group of passionate parents and individuals, KDSP addresses the critical need for comprehensive resources and platforms for those with Down syndrome in Karachi. Bridging the Gap: A Mission of Advocacy and Inclusion KDSP operates as a non-profit organization with a clear mission: to advocate for the value, acceptance, and inclusion of individuals with Down syndrome. Recognizing the limited support and resources available locally, KDSP was established to provide a nurturing environment where individuals with Down syndrome can lead independent and fulfilling lives. A Lifelong Journey of Support Understanding the unique needs of individuals with Down syndrome and their families, KDSP offers unwavering support from the moment a family receives a diagnosis.  They embark on a journey with each family, pro...
Post a Comment
Read more