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WEEKLY NEWS 4: Parade Celebrates Rugby World Cup

A parade celebrating England’s victory at the Rugby World Cup is overtaking central London. The "Sweet Chariot" parade garnered the attention of up to half a million people, many of whom tried to catch a glimpse of Jonny Wilkinson and his teammates as they displayed the William Webb Ellis Trophy from open-topped buses. Wilkinson secured England's victory with a drop goal in the last minute of extra time.

Some of London’s busiest streets were also closed for the parade and fans arrived early along the route in spite of the cold weather. The parade traveled down Oxford Street, turned down Regent Street and headed towards a rally in Trafalgar Square. The team then met Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace before attending a reception hosted by British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Last month at Heathrow Airport, more then 10,000 fans welcomed the team home following their 20-17 victory over the host nation in the final. The team’s victory is the first major success for a British team in a major international event since England beat Germany in the final of the 1966 football World Cup.

--Written by Renee Eng

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