Queen Elizabeth II will become the first British monarch in history to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee, marking 70 years of her reign. This is a significant event for both the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.
Facts about the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee
The Queen ascended to the throne at the age of 26, just after the death of her father, King George VI, on February 6, 1952. Over the past seven decades, she has become a symbol of England and is deeply loved by the British people.
Queen at the first event celebrating the Jubilee on May 15
On May 9, the Queen also marked an important milestone by becoming the third-longest reigning monarch in history, surpassing Prince Johann II of Liechtenstein.
To commemorate this unprecedented milestone, events and celebrations will take place throughout 2022, with the most significant being the festivities from June 2 to June 5. The guest list includes Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, along with their son Archie and daughter Lilibet.
However, the palace announced that the balcony position at Buckingham Palace during the traditional Trooping the Colour ceremony on June 2 will only be reserved for serving members of the Royal Family.
When is the Platinum Jubilee celebrated?
Although the official celebration took place on February 6, the main festivities and events will occur in early June. Specifically, the main events will take place over four days from June 2 to June 5, coinciding with the UK Bank Holiday.
The festival will include public events, community activities, and celebrations honoring the Queen’s 70 years on the throne.
Interestingly, the first day of the festival – June 2 – is also the official coronation date of the Queen, 69 years ago on June 2, 1953.
What events are included in the Platinum Jubilee?
June 2: The Royal Military Parade and Lighting of Beacons
The first day of the event features the Queen’s Birthday Parade, also known as Trooping the Colour. The parade will involve 1,400 soldiers, 200 horses, and 400 musicians, starting from Buckingham Palace and proceeding down The Mall to the Horse Guards Parade.
Trooping the Colour. (Illustrative image).
The public will have the opportunity to participate in this event. The ceremony will also feature royal family members parading on horseback and driving carriages. The Trooping the Colour will conclude with a flypast by the Royal Air Force.
Royal family members will witness the entire event from the balcony of Buckingham Palace, with all serving members of the public duty present.
The Queen’s actual birthday is on April 21. However, the UK tradition is to celebrate the monarch’s birthday on a separate day to facilitate public participation.
That evening, beacons celebrating the Jubilee will be lit across the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, British Overseas Territories, and throughout the Commonwealth.
June 3: Thanksgiving Service at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London
The Thanksgiving Service celebrating the reign of Queen Elizabeth II will take place at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London. However, this event will not be open to the public.
June 4: The Derby Horse Race and the Platinum Party
On Saturday, June 4, Queen Elizabeth II and other royal family members will attend the Derby horse race at Epsom Downs Racecourse in Surrey, southeast England.
The Queen and some royal family members at the Derby race during the Diamond Jubilee 10 years ago
It is known that the Queen is very fond of horses and passionate about horse racing.
That evening, the Platinum Party will be held at the palace. The BBC will feature a series of special programs celebrating the Queen’s 70 years on the throne, including numerous documentaries and musical performances with many of the world’s top entertainment stars. A special event will also take place at Buckingham Palace.
June 5: The Big Jubilee Lunch and the Platinum Jubilee Pageant
Sunday, June 5, will be a major holiday in the UK, with the Big Jubilee Lunch celebrated nationwide. The palace has announced that over 1,400 people have registered to host this event in their communities, and more than 200,000 other individual events will take place across the country.
Additionally, there will be the Platinum Jubilee Pageant, featuring many dance performances, parades, street music, theatrical arts, and costumes to recreate and honor the Queen’s reign.
Events following the main festival
The festive atmosphere will not end after the June events. Starting in July, three exhibitions will be held at the Royal residences to showcase and commemorate the most significant moments of the Queen’s reign, from her ascension to the throne to previous Jubilees.
In the summer, the state rooms at Buckingham Palace will open to display portraits of the young Queen taken by renowned photographer Dorothy Wilding. The jewelry she wore in those portraits will also be exhibited.
Portrait of young Queen Elizabeth II
At Windsor Castle, the public will be able to view the Queen’s coronation gown used during the ceremony at Westminster Abbey in 1953. Meanwhile, Holyroodhouse will showcase the Queen’s outfits from the Silver Jubilee, Golden Jubilee, and Diamond Jubilee.
Is the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee unique in history?
Although she is the first British monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee in history, this is not the only 70-year reign celebration in the world.
Before Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Johann II of Liechtenstein and King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand both reigned for over 70 years. Notably, Louis XIV, the “Sun King” of France, reigned for over 72 years. To break Louis XIV’s record, the Queen will need an additional two years.
