Buckingham Palace has announced official plans to commemorate Her Majesty’s 70th year since Accession.
Yearlong events and initiatives fit for royalty are in store throughout the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth, and around the world as Queen Elizabeth II prepares to mark a historical milestone.
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As of September 2015, the Queen became Britain’s longest-reigning monarch. She is also the first British monarch to mark their Sapphire Jubilee (65 years), achieving the feat in 2017.
On February 6 this year, Elizabeth II will become the first British Monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee, commemorating 70 years since succeeding to the throne.
Here are all the activities planned to mark this once-in-a-lifetime occasion.
Four days of festivities
The 2022 celebrations will culminate in a four-day United Kingdom bank holiday from June 2 to 5, Thursday to Sunday. The said holiday was scheduled to maximize participation among people and communities in the United Kingdom.
On Thursday, June 2, the Queen’s Birthday Parade will take place. Over 1,400 soldiers, 200 horses, and 400 musicians will parade to mark Elizabeth II’s “official birthday.”
That evening, over 1,500 beacons will be lit throughout the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, and overseas territories. Beacons will also be lit in each of the capital cities of the Commonwealth countries for the first time. The “Principal” beacon will be located at Buckingham Palace, where a special ceremony will be held.
On Friday, June 3, A Service of Thanksgiving will be held at St. Paul’s Cathedral. More details on further events will be announced.
The Queen, accompanied by members of the Royal Family, will attend the Derby at Epsom Downs on Saturday, June 4.
The Platinum Party at the Palace will also be held the same day. Here, the BBC will stage and broadcast a special live concert from Buckingham Palace featuring some of the world’s biggest stars.
Finally, Sunday, June 5 will see the Big Jubilee Lunch, where communities organize big and small gatherings ranging from street parties and picnics, to tea sessions and garden barbeques.
Another event planned on the last day is the Platinum Jubilee Pageant, where artistic performers, dancers, musicians, military personnel, key workers, and volunteers will collectively tell the story of the Queen’s reign.
Full calendar
In addition to the June holidays, additional activities to be held include the Platinum Pudding Competition, the Platinum Jubilee Celebration, and the Queen’s Green Canopy.
The Platinum Pudding Competition taking place between January 10 to March 14 is a nationwide baking competition with the goal of finding a brand new pudding dedicated to the Queen.
Meanwhile, the Platinum Jubilee Celebration from May 12 to 15 will offer a 90-minute piece of arena theatre involving over 1,000 performers and 500 horses.
Lastly, the Queen’s Green Canopy, set to commence in October until the end of the year, is a tree planting initiative that invites people from across the United Kingdom to “plant a tree for the Jubilee.”
Photo by Joel Rouse/Ministry of Defence via Wikimedia Commons
