DStanding on the picnic table, Peter ties red, white and blue balloons to a stake. The finishing touch to the decoration of this family from Windsor who came to lunch in front of the castle where Elizabeth II resides, for the last day of the weekend of her platinum jubilee. “We’ve been partying since Thursday! he smiled, not unhappy to have had two holidays for the occasion. This Sunday, June 5 at noon, for the Big Jubilee Lunch, the British are invited to meet in their neighborhood to share a meal together. In Windsor, the family is not alone… Nearly 500 tables have been lined up on a kilometer of the Long Walk, a green corridor that leads to the royal castle. All the places were distributed in 10 minutes a few weeks ago, but hundreds of other participants settled around in the lawns.
The gloom has not cooled Peter, who has just uncorked a bottle of Prosecco, launching the festivities. “It’s the English weather… What can seriously happen to us? At worst, we’re wet, but we’re having fun anyway! “A little further, Alexandra and her friends have still planned the umbrellas, “just in case”. On their table are spread out the special jubilee version gleaned from the supermarket: a sausage puff pastry marked with the letters “HRH” (Her Royal Highness), symbol of royalty, and cupcakes decorated with the jubilee logo. “And of course, we have something to drink! »
Sausages and pudding
“It’s the first time they’ve had this big table and it’s incredible to be all together like that,” rejoices Britt, who came with her daughter Trudy and her grandchildren. She rushed to online reservations as soon as they opened to have a place in the middle of this happy picnic, she explains, taking out one by one the dishes from the cooler. On the menu: Coronation chicken – a cold chicken salad named in honor of the queen – sausages, pudding and rhubarb cream. ” Oh ! Really ? enthused the son-in-law.
Parade, concert, mass… The little family didn’t miss any of the weekend’s events, which they watched on TV. Their only regret, that Elizabeth II could not enjoy all the events of her jubilee. “She needs to take care of herself, that’s the main thing. Prince Charles is a very good representative. “She’s an incredible woman, so strong. We’re proud of her,” agree Judy, Sally and Rose-Mary, unwrapping their cake with Union Jack frosting. The three grandmothers, who came with other friends, point to Windsor Castle, at the end of the row of tables. “You know, she has an eye everywhere. Maybe she’s even watching us right now…”