"Britsburgh" Festival Celebrates British Culture, Queen's Record-Breaking Reign
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- British Queen Elizabeth II rode a train through Scotland Wednesday to celebrate 63 years, seven months and two days as monarch.
She eclipsed the reign of her great-great grandmother, Queen Victoria. It's a milestone celebrated from Britain to "Britsburgh."
A total of 65 guests of mostly British heritage sampled an array of scones and cucumber sandwiches, washed down by English tea, at The Mansions on Fifth Avenue guest house.
Event planner Clair Cranville says it's day two of the seven-day Britsburgh celebration.
"Afternoon tea in Britain is a long-standing tradition. In fact, it started during the Victorian era," said Cranville.
Britsburgh is sanctioned by the Queen herself, on Buckingham Palace stationery. The city was originally named for 18th century British statesman William Pitt.
"The coat of arms of Pittsburgh, which of course, is the Steelers colors of black and gold, was also the coat of arms of William Pitt," said Robert Charlesworth, Chairman of British-American Connections Pittsburgh. "And that's how the city got its colors."
One of the highlights of Britsburgh is a Queen Elizabeth look-alike contest.
For a full list of events during the seven-day celebration, log on to: www.britsburgh.com
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