CANBERRA, Australia — Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese joked Thursday that his personal beginning was considerably delayed by Queen Elizabeth II as a result of his pregnant mom had insisted on driving previous a tribute to the British monarch on her technique to the hospital.
Albanese made the feedback earlier than lighting a beacon within the capital, Canberra, to mark the queen’s seven a long time on the throne. Beacon lighting is a conventional component of British royal celebrations that started as a manner for individuals removed from London to participate in festivities.
Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee is being celebrated in Britain and all through the Commonwealth over a number of days.
Albanese mentioned his nation’s relationship with the queen had modified over time.
“Australians maintain Queen Elizabeth in respect and affection, even because the bond between our nations is now not what it was on the daybreak of her reign,” he mentioned. “It’s now not dad or mum and younger upstart. We stand as equals. Extra importantly, we stand as pals.”
The British monarch stays Australia’s official head of state, though nowadays the position is taken into account primarily ceremonial.
“In her seven exceptional a long time on the throne, the queen has been a uncommon fixed,” Albanese mentioned. “An everlasting, inspiring, rising presence of calm, decency and power.”
In addition to lighting beacons, Australia marked the jubilee by illuminating landmarks in royal purple.
Throughout her reign, the 96-year-old monarch has visited Australia 16 occasions.
She grew to become the primary reigning monarch to go to in 1954. In 1973, she opened the Sydney Opera Home, and 4 years later returned for a visit that coincided along with her Silver Jubilee celebrations. She most lately visited in in 2011.
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