Report by Aryaa Sinha
On Monday, 6th February 2022, Queen Elizabeth II became the first British monarch (king or queen) to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee, marking 70 years of her rule.
A jubilee is a celebration that marks a landmark in time. For example, a silver jubilee is when something (a business, or an event) completes 25 years. A golden jubilee is at 50 years. The platinum jubilee is at 70 years. This means that Queen Elizabeth II has been the Queen of England for 70 years now.
The momentous landmark will be celebrated throughout the year, but the key festivities will be held during the first week of June, with the summer offering better chance of good weather than February.
England is located in the Northern hemisphere and the weather is cold during winters. Summers are, like in most places in Europe, warm and pleasant. This is why the festivities are planned in June, so that more people may be able to see them.
Calendar of events taking place for Queen’s Platinum Jubilee
Thursday 2nd June
The Queen’s birthday parade: Labelled as “Trooping the Colour,” it will feature 1,400 soldiers, 200 horses, and 400 musicians. Fellows of the Royal Family also plan to join the parade on horseback and in carriages.
Platinum Jubilee Beacons: Beacons (Beacons are guiding lights) will be lit in more than 1500 locations across the UK. For the first time, the capital cities of Commonwealth countries will also light beacons.
Friday 3rd June
Thanksgiving Service: Thanksgiving for the queen’s reign will be held at St. Paul’s Cathedral. Thanksgiving is a special kind of prayer.
Saturday 4th June
The Derby at Epsom Downs: The Queen, accompanied by members of the royal family, will attend the horse race.
Platinum Party at the Palace: A special concert will bring together some of the world’s biggest entertainers to celebrate the queen’s seven decade reign. The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) will broadcast the live concert from Buckingham Palace
Sunday June 5, 2022
The Big Jubilee Lunch: People are invited to share friendship, food and fun with neighbours. It can be big or small, street party or a picnic tea.
The Platinum Jubilee Pageant: All the artists and volunteers will unite to tell the story of the Queen’s 70 years of service. The pageant’s highlight will be 200 silk flags combining children’s artwork that contains optimistic messages centred on climate modification and the future.
Other Platinum Jubilee events
Over 60,000 trees have already been planted in the UK as the Queen’s green canopy. Measures have also been taken to protect ancient trees and woodlands that are a valuable part of UK heritage and history.The Queen’s green canopy will continue till March 2023.
About Queen Elizabeth II
Queen Elizabeth II or Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor is the Queen of the United Kingdom and 14 other Commonwealth realms. She was born in Mayfair, London, on April 21, 1926. Elizabeth was the elder daughter of Prince Albert, Duke of York, and his wife, Lady Elizabeth Bowes- Lyon.
In Sep 2015, she surpassed Queen Victoria’s record (her great great grandmother) making her the longest serving female head of the state.
Although the queen will be limited to attend only selected events due to her illness and advanced age, other members of the Royal family will participate in various commemorations.
All images from royal.uk
