UK In Festive Mood To Kickoff Start of Queen’s Platinum Jubilee

Trooping the color, beacon show, platinum party, and concert all happen between June 2 and 5, 2022

By: Charlotte Hui

Today the UK kicks off the start of a four-day long weekend to mark the 70th anniversary of the accession of Britain’s longest-reigning Monarch, Queen Elizabeth II.

Queen Elizabeth II, who ascended the throne in 1952 while in her late 20s, has served the people of the United Kingdom and the British Commonwealth for 70 years. During her reign, the United Kingdom has become one of the most globalized economies in the world.

In celebrations of the special day, pictures of Queen Elizabeth have been hung on monuments, from the rafters of shopping malls, along with the colors of the Monarch’s flags. The BBC will broadcast the entire show, ABC will post it in the United States, and CBC and other media outlets will promote the event in Canada.

On June 2, Trooping the Color was performed from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET. Britain’s Royal Air Force will fly thousands of planes over Buckingham Palace and drop a rainbow of colors in the sky. This tradition dates back to 1748 and marks the official birthday of the British sovereign, who is 96 years of age.

The Queen left Buckingham Palace in a carriage and walked along the shopping center to horse Guards. More than 1,400 soldiers, 200 horses, and 400 musicians will attend the parade. At 4 p.m., the Jubilee Beacon Show will be held, with more than 1,500 beacons lit in communities across the UK, including the principal beacon in Buckingham Palace. Once used as a means of communication, these beacons have become symbols of national unity.

On June 3, a Thanksgiving service is to be held at St Paul’s Cathedral, home to the nation’s largest church bell will be rung. The first time it rang was at a royal ceremony in 1882.

On June 4, the Queen will attend the Derby at Epsom Downs and watch the horse races. Later, the Platinum Party and Concert will be held at Buckingham Palace, bringing together all the most famous stars in the entertainment world. Twenty-two thousand will participate in the event, broadcast live on the BBC.

On June 5, the Big Jubilee Lunch and the Platinum Jubilee Pageant will be held. More than 60,000 people have signed up to celebrate the lunch during Platinum Celebration Weekend. People from all over the world, including Canada, New Zealand, Switzerland, Japan, and South Africa, will also hold more than 600 Big Jubilee lunches.

The Sovereign’s Escort will lead the Gold State Carriage and the Platinum Jubilee Pageant in the evening. Ten thousand people will participate, including the military, performers, and the public.

The Commonwealth government welcomes people from all over the world to join in the celebration.