February 6th, 2022: Her Majesty The Queen made history and became the first British Monarch to celebrate a remarkable occasion, a Platinum Jubilee. Yes, Queen Elizabeth II has given 70 years of service to the people of the United Kingdom, the Realms, and the Commonwealth!
Naturally, this completely unprecedented anniversary is being celebrated throughout the year, closing with a four-day UK Bank Holiday Weekend (June 2nd, 2022, to June 5th, 2022).
The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Weekend will include a number of events throughout the four-day weekend. Here’s a list of the key events taking place in the UK:
Thursday, the 2nd of June 2022
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Trooping the Colour
The Queen’s Birthday Parade will start at 11AM (UK Time). This annual event has marked the official birthday of the British Sovereign for more than 260 years.
Trooping the Colour literally translates to “Carrying the Flag.” This tradition originates from the battlefield. Soldiers needed to recognise each regiment’s colour (flag). To practice this, guards would troop (carry) the colour (flag) down the ranks for everyone to see.
In 1748, Trooping the Colour was used to mark King George II’s birthday and then became an annual event when King George III ascended the throne in 1760. Since 1760, Trooping the Colour has been a parade watched by millions of people.
Throughout her 70-year reign, Queen Elizabeth II has attended every Trooping the Colour event, except in 1955 when it was cancelled because of a National Rail Strike. In 1947, as Colonel of the Grenadier Guards, Princess Elizabeth was the second woman to ride in the ceremony; Queen Victoria was the first. From 1947 to 1986, Queen Elizabeth II rode a horse, but in 1987, she began using a carriage.
Watch it on BBC iPlayer.
Platinum Jubilee Beacons
It’s a UK tradition to mark Royal Jubilees, Weddings and Coronations with the lighting of beacons. Of course, this will continue for the Platinum Jubilee.
Previously a beacon chain was used for communication, it is now a symbol of unity across towns, borders, countries and continents, and is the central point of the celebration.
In 1897, to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee, beacons were lit. Then in 1977, 2002. 2012, beacons marked the Silver, Golden and Diamond Jubilees for Queen Elizabeth II. In 2016, the beacon was lit to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s 90th birthday.
At 9PM (UK Time) the Principal Beacon will be lit at a special ceremony being held at Buckingham Palace.
Friday, the 3rd of June 2022
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Service of Thanksgiving
A Service of Thanksgiving will be held at St. Pauls’ Cathedral to celebrate Her Majesty The Queen’s reign. Great Paul is the largest church bell in the country and will be rung during the service.
The bell was made in 1882 but stopping ringing in the 1970s. In 2021, the bell was restored and rung on 8 occasions since. On June 3rd, the bell will be rung for the first royal occasion.
Saturday the 4th of June 2022
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The Derby at Epsom Downs
Her Majesty The Queen and members of the Royal Family will attend the Derby at Epsom Downs.
Platinum Party at the Palace
Kirsty Young and Roman Kemp will host the live coverage of the Platinum Party (airing live on BBC iPlayer).
Of course, the celebration will bring together well-known faces from the world of entertainment to perform musical tributes to commemorate the Jubilee. It’s expected that 22,000 people will attend the event (10,000 allocated by a public ballot and 5,000 tickets for key workers).
Sunday, the 5th of June 2022
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The Big Jubilee Lunch
There are 3,517 public events and 3,513 street parties or private parties registered on the Platinum Jubliee’s website.
Thousands of people have registered to host Big Jubilee Lunches in celebration of the Platinum celebration weekend, with some of these events attempting world records. In the UK, over ten million people will be joining the celebrations.
People around the world are joining in with international Big Jubilee Lunches planned throughout the Commonwealth and beyond – from Canada to Brazil, New Zealand to Japan and South Africa to Switzerland.
The Platinum Jubilee Pageant
The Sovereign’s Escort will lead Platinum Jubilee Pageant in the Gold State Carriage. While Her Majesty The Queen will not personally be traveling in the regal carriage, surprises are planned to awe spectators.
The Pageant will be the final gathering to pay tribute to Her Majesty. Iconic moments from Queen Elizabeth II’s reign and the changing of the times will be showcased.
For more information, please head over to https://platinumjubilee.gov.uk/