From Puddings to Trees, Palace Sets out Queen’s Jubilee Celebrations

Britain's Queen Elizabeth records her annual Christmas broadcast in the White Drawing Room in Windsor Castle, next to a photograph of the queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, in Windsor, Britain, December 23, 2021. (Reuters)
Britain's Queen Elizabeth records her annual Christmas broadcast in the White Drawing Room in Windsor Castle, next to a photograph of the queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, in Windsor, Britain, December 23, 2021. (Reuters)
TT

From Puddings to Trees, Palace Sets out Queen’s Jubilee Celebrations

Britain's Queen Elizabeth records her annual Christmas broadcast in the White Drawing Room in Windsor Castle, next to a photograph of the queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, in Windsor, Britain, December 23, 2021. (Reuters)
Britain's Queen Elizabeth records her annual Christmas broadcast in the White Drawing Room in Windsor Castle, next to a photograph of the queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, in Windsor, Britain, December 23, 2021. (Reuters)

Inventing puddings and planting trees are just some of the things Britons are invited to do for Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee, events to mark her 70th anniversary on the throne that culminate in a "blockbuster weekend of celebrations" in June.

The 95-year-old, the longest-reigning monarch in British history, will add another milestone when she marks her Platinum Jubilee in February, with the government planning four days of celebrations from June 2-5.

Buckingham Palace said Britons aged 8 and over were encouraged to apply for a baking competition to find the "perfect Platinum Pudding recipe" dedicated to the queen, while some could also "plant a tree for the Jubilee".

During the long holiday weekend in June, people will be able to see the trooping the color in her birthday parade, a service of thanksgiving in London's St. Paul's Cathedral, a party at the Palace among other events.

In November, culture minister Oliver Dowden said the four days of celebrations would be "a celebration to remember".

Elizabeth, who is also the world's current oldest and longest-reigning monarch, became queen on Feb. 6, 1952, on the death of her father George VI.

In September 2015, she overtook the length of time her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria had spent on the throne, remarking that the historical moment was "not one to which I have ever aspired".

The plans are similar to those which marked the queen's 60th anniversary in 2012 when Britain held four days of events in her honor, including a huge flotilla on the River Thames and capped off with a star-studded concert at Buckingham Palace.



Not Quite the ‘Girl from Ipanema’, a Fur Seal’s Rare Appearance on Rio’s Famous Beach Turns Heads

A fur seal stands on Ipanema beach in Rio de Janeiro, Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
A fur seal stands on Ipanema beach in Rio de Janeiro, Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
TT

Not Quite the ‘Girl from Ipanema’, a Fur Seal’s Rare Appearance on Rio’s Famous Beach Turns Heads

A fur seal stands on Ipanema beach in Rio de Janeiro, Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
A fur seal stands on Ipanema beach in Rio de Janeiro, Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)

Short, and dark, and young, and tired, the seal on Ipanema was basking ...

The fur seal on Rio de Janeiro’s iconic beach was turning heads of locals and tourists alike Wednesday morning — though not for the same reasons as the famous "Girl from Ipanema."

The animal is often spotted along Brazil's coastline during winter and spring, but rarely is it seen this time of year, a few days before the start of the Southern Hemisphere's summer, said Suelen Santiago, a biologist who works at the company that monitors the beach.

"This year we're having atypical situations," she said.

Cordoned off by tape and flags, the young male seal became the main attraction on one of the world’s most famous beaches. Among the curious onlookers was Jordana Halpern, 29. She had never seen such a specimen and rushed to the beach when she heard it had been spotted.

"It's cool, but it’s kind of sad. It seems like it’s not doing very well," Halpern said. Almost as though hearing her, the seal moved more energetically, lifting its head and emitting a low sound. "Oh my God! It moved a lot!" Halpert said.

Santiago said they still don't know why the animal ended up in Ipanema out of season, but wasn't worried: "It's just resting. The animal is very active, so he’s only resting, and soon it’ll head back to the sea."