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Long live the Queen! (B1-B2)

357 Views 0 Liked Posted on: June 8th 2022

Long live the Queen!

Niveau B1-B2 (intermédiaire)

Imagine becoming queen at just 25 years of age! Are you scared, intimidated, anxious, excited? British Monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, who became queen in 1952 probably felt all those emotions. Now, we are 70 years later and the British are celebrating her Platinum Jubilee. Imagine how she feels. Is she proud, happy or perhaps tired and ready to retire?

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© Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

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© CC BY 2.0

Queen Elizabeth II is the longest-reigning British monarch in British and Commonwealth history. She is the world’s third longest-reigning monarch. First place goes to French King Louis XIV who ruled for 72 years from 1643 to 1715. The runner-up is King Buhumibol from Thailand. He reigned for 70 years. If Queen Elizabeth continues her reign for a few more months, she’ll take second place. 

In her 70 years on the throne, Queen Elizabeth has done a lot of amazing things and met many interesting people. Her coronation ceremony in 1953 was the first to be broadcast on live television. In 1976, the Queen became the first British royal and the first non-military person to send an e-mail. She also met 13 of the 14 American presidents who served during her reign. 

How did the British pay tribute to their Queen for her Platinum Jubilee? The official programme began on Thursday June 2nd with the Trooping the Colour ceremony. In this military event, more than 1,500 officers and 350 horses paraded in London with 400 military musicians. The next day, a thanksgiving service was held at St Paul’s Cathedral. Then, on Saturday, there was a party hosted by the BBC in front of Buckingham Palace with famous musicians like Diana Ross, George Ezra and Andrea Bocelli. The concert started with a prerecorded video featuring the Queen having tea with Paddington the Bear, listening to a royal marching band playing ‘We Will Rock You’, followed by the band Queen with Adam Lambert playing.

(Watch the full video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZRP70zMHgo)

On Sunday 5th, millions of people organised street parties, picnics and barbecues all over the country. The finale was a Jubilee Pageant through the streets of London. Celebrations fit for a king!

Unfortunately, Queen Elizabeth couldn’t attend all the celebrations. At 96, she is suffering from some health problems. However, the British, who love their queen, did not let this affect their celebrations. As Sandra Wallace, a 74-year-old fan says, “She is a very special person in our lives and always has been.”

proud = fier

to retire = prendre sa retraite 

longest-reigning = au plus long règne

a runner-up = deuxième

to broadcast = diffuser

to serve = faire office de

to pay tribute = render hommage

a thanksgiving = une action de rendre grâce

to be held = avoir lieu

to host = (ici) organiser

a pageant = un défilé

fit for a king = une expression qui veux dire que quelque chose est de très haute qualité

to attend = assister à

health = la santé

Posted in: Culture, News

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