World’s press amazed by ‘pillar of strength’ Queen and Britain’s pageantry at Platinum Jubilee

Estimated read time 7 min read


From Ireland to India, and Argentina to America – newspapers around the globe honoured Queen Elizabeth as she celebrated her Platinum Jubilee today.

Beaming photos of Her Majesty graced the front pages of most news sites as readers as far apart as New York and New Delhi revelled in a show-stopping day of British tradition and pageantry to rival the best in the world.

All eyes were on the Buckingham Palace balcony as the 96-year-old monarch stood flanked by Charles and Camilla, William and Kate – children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren to mark an historic 70 years on the throne.

‘This sight is so good!’ proclaimed Germany’s Bild newspaper alongside a photo of the Queen and her family, who was said to have wiped away a tear as she watched proceedings – the first of four days of celebrations to mark her record reign.

‘Here, everyone celebrates Queen Elizabeth,’ said Norway’s VG newspaper, saying the streets of Britain were filled with ‘festive people who want to mark the Queen’s Platinum anniversary’.

And Denmark’s Berlingske carried a message from their country’s own Queen Margrethe – a close friend of Elizabeth – who praised her as a ‘pillar of strength.’

German tabloid Bild said straightforwardly 'this sight is good!' in response to a happy Queen

German tabloid Bild said straightforwardly ‘this sight is good!’ in response to a happy Queen

And Norway's VG news website featured all the working royals together on the balcony

And Norway’s VG news website featured all the working royals together on the balcony

Berlingske in Denmark quoted Copenhagen's queen as describing her as a 'pillar of strength'

Berlingske in Denmark quoted Copenhagen’s queen as describing her as a ‘pillar of strength’

La Vanguardia in Spain led on the Queen's smiling face - and left a note on Meghan Markle, too

La Vanguardia in Spain led on the Queen’s smiling face – and left a note on Meghan Markle, too

Perhaps surprisingly – the Irish Independent carried the story on the front of its news site, a fitting tribute to Elizabeth’s personal involvement in helping to bring about peace in Northern Ireland with the Good Friday Agreement.

Earlier in the day, Michelle O’Neill, vice president of Sinn Fein – the political arm of the Provisional IRA which assassinated the Queen’s cousin – had also written to Her Majesty to thank her for her service.

American newspapers were predictably in thrall to the Royal spectacle, with the New York Times, LA Times, Wall Street Journal and Washington Post all featuring the celebrations prominently.

Just as notable was the fact that none of those papers made a prominent mention of Meghan’s presence – despite the California-born actress being present at a Royal event for the first time since ‘Megxit’.

Even Russian news site Kommersant found space to feature the Royals on its site, despite the ongoing war in Ukraine and the UK’s strong support for Kyiv. 

El Mundo, one of Spain’s largest newspapers, carried a message from Elizabeth on its front page as she told the nation to look forward with ‘confidence and enthusiasm’.

It did not the return of Meghan to royal engagements, though said her appearance came ‘with many buts’.

La Nacion and Globo 1, the largest news sites in Argentina and Brazil, also carried photos of the event – noting that four days of celebrations are now underway. 

The New York Times blushed about the 'four days of Platinum Jubilee festivities' ahead

 The New York Times blushed about the ‘four days of Platinum Jubilee festivities’ ahead

America's Wall Street Journal complimented the proceedings' 'Royal Style' and featured Louis

America’s Wall Street Journal complimented the proceedings’ ‘Royal Style’ and featured Louis

Meanwhile the capital's Washington Post led with the royals' balcony appearance earlier on

Meanwhile the capital’s Washington Post led with the royals’ balcony appearance earlier on

The Irish Independent described the 'Jubilee Queen' appearing on the Palace balcony today

The Irish Independent described the ‘Jubilee Queen’ appearing on the Palace balcony today

French President Emmanuel Macron was the first world leader to congratulate the Queen on her incredible 70-year reign in a video message posted earlier today.

Macron described the Queen as the ‘golden thread that binds our nations together’ as he praised her ‘devotion to our alliance and to our friendship’ in a video message from the Elysee Palace this morning.

His warm wishes came ahead of a wreath-laying ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe during which the French and British national anthems will both be played, and after France gifted Her Majesty a horse as a nod to her love of all things equestrian.

El Mundo in Spain took a positive tone via its correspondent in London, with a smiley Queen

El Mundo in Spain took a positive tone via its correspondent in London, with a smiley Queen

Kommersant in Russia told the story straight, referring to a 'parade in honour' of the Queen

Kommersant in Russia told the story straight, referring to a ‘parade in honour’ of the Queen

Global News in Canada referred to the incredible fly past as 'unique' and described excitement

Global News in Canada referred to the incredible fly past as ‘unique’ and described excitement

Addressing the Queen today, Marcon – speaking mostly in English but partially in French, which Her Majesty speaks fluently – congratulated her on her record-breaking reign which he said had been a ‘constant reliance’ for France.

‘Times have changed, Europe has evolved, our continent is again experiencing war,’ he said.

‘Throughout these transformations your devotion to our alliance and to our friendship has remained.’

Le Figaro, France also referred to the Queen as 'acclaimed' by 'cries and applause' of onlookers

Le Figaro, France also referred to the Queen as ‘acclaimed’ by ‘cries and applause’ of onlookers

He recalled ‘the dark days when your family welcomed General de Gaulle in your home’ during World War II.

During the war, the leader of the Free French and later founding president of France’s Fifth Republic took refuge in London from the Nazis.

Since then, in ‘a lifetime of devotion’, Macron said the Queen had ‘shared our joys, and seen the deep affection and admiration that the people of France have for you.’

De Telegraaf, Netherlands focused on the 'iconic Buckingham Palace balcony' in its coverage

De Telegraaf, Netherlands focused on the ‘iconic Buckingham Palace balcony’ in its coverage

Le Parisien, France said the Queen was 'acclaimed' at the ceremony and 1,200 soldiers present

Le Parisien, France said the Queen was ‘acclaimed’ at the ceremony and 1,200 soldiers present

Italian newspaper La Reppublica went for a podcast, explainers and plenty of adoring images

Italian newspaper La Reppublica went for a podcast, explainers and plenty of adoring images

In a sign of one of the most-significant aspects of her reign, a tribute also came from Ireland’s Sinn Fein – once the political wing of the Provisional IRA.

The Provisional IRA was responsible for the August 1979 bombing which killed Lord Louis Mountbatten, the Queen’s cousin, along with two of his family and a friend.

Michelle O’Neill, the party’s vice president, wrote to the Queen to praise her ‘significant’ contribution to the peace process in Ireland and to acknowledge her ‘dedicated public service to the British people’

Ms O’Neill thanked the Queen for her ‘warmth and unfailing courtesy’ on the occasions when the pair have met and wrote of the ‘value and respect’ she had for the monarch’s contribution to reconciliation.

TVN24 in Poland offered a nostalgic tribute, featuring a black and white image from the 1950s

TVN24 in Poland offered a nostalgic tribute, featuring a black and white image from the 1950s

NDTV, India angled on cheering crowds in the tens of thousands outside Buckingham Palace

NDTV, India angled on cheering crowds in the tens of thousands outside Buckingham Palace

Globo 1 in Brazil made claimed the proceedings intend to 'clean up the monarchy's image'

Globo 1 in Brazil made claimed the proceedings intend to ‘clean up the monarchy’s image’

La Nacion, Argentina led with a picture of Kate Middleton looking admiringly at the Queen

La Nacion, Argentina led with a picture of Kate Middleton looking admiringly at the Queen

Newly-elected Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is also expected to name an island after her later today – despite being a Republican.

Aspen Island, located in the middle of Canberra’s Lake Burley Griffin, will be renamed Queen Elizabeth II Island instead.

Mr Albanese, who has previously declared his respect for the Queen, said it will be ‘an honour’ to take part in the ceremony.

‘I have the privilege of lighting a beacon as part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Beacons and to commence Platinum Jubilee celebrations in Australia,’ he said.

‘Australia will honour and pay tribute to the remarkable dedication and service of Her Majesty The Queen over the course of the Platinum Jubilee official celebrations.

‘I look forward to officially renaming Aspen Island to Queen Elizabeth II Island later this week as a mark of Australia’s appreciation and respect for Her Majesty.’



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