Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House light up for Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee which marks her 70-year reign, as Australia a Commonwealth member pays tribute to the sovereign.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese joked Thursday that his own birth was somewhat delayed by Queen Elizabeth II because his pregnant mother had insisted on driving past a tribute to the British monarch on her way to the hospital.
Albanese made the comments before lighting a beacon in the capital, Canberra, to mark the queen’s seven decades on the throne.
Beacon lighting is a traditional element of British royal celebrations that began as a way for people far from London to take part in festivities.
Beacon lighting is a traditional element of British royal celebrations that began as a way for people far from London to take part in festivities.
The British monarch remains Australia’s official head of state, although these days the role is considered primarily ceremonial.
During her reign, the 96-year-old monarch has visited Australia 16 times.
She became the first reigning monarch to visit in 1954. In 1973, she opened the Sydney opera house, and four years later returned for a trip that coincided with her silver jubilee celebrations. She most recently visited in in 2011.
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