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How to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee
By Tempus | 21 May 2022 | Food & Drink
As the Queen becomes the first monarch to celebrate 70 years on the British throne, we collate the best events for a right royal celebration
Since her coronation in June 1953, just over a year after she became Queen, Elizabeth II has been a record-busting monarch in every sense of the word. Not only has the Queen served for a milestone 70 years – longer than any other British monarch, including Queen Victoria – she has also seen the world change during her reign in ways that must have been unimaginable to the 25-year-old royal who first took the throne. With a determination to embrace new advancements and a consistent devotion to duty, she has been an unwavering presence in a fast-changing modern world, from the heights of Beatlemania to the trials of national lockdowns.
Among the many seismic shifts in technological and social changes over the decades is the advent of the digital age. The Queen became the first monarch to televise her coronation (a technical feat of its time) and has since embraced the internet through royal social media to taking Zoom calls during the pandemic. Equally, aviation and globalisation have seen Elizabeth become the most widely travelled head of state in the world – prompted, no doubt, by her dedication to visit the Commonwealth nations that she has held so dear throughout her lifetime. The Queen has also seen the UK’s shifting role on the world stage, from the decolonisation of the former British Empire to the UK’s entry – and exit – of the European Union.
Now, as the Queen celebrates her milestone Platinum Jubilee with central festivities on 2-5 June, we bring you the most exciting ways to spend the weekend.
Parties and events
2 June | Trooping the Colour
The annual parade will be bigger and bolder than ever this year, with more than 1,400 soldiers, 200 horses and 400 musicians ready to set London alight with pomp and pageantry. The parade moves from Buckingham Palace, down The Mall to Horse Guard’s Parade, and finishes with the tradition RAF fly-past.
3 June | Service of Thanksgiving
The Royal Family will gather at London’s St Paul’s Cathedral for a service of thanksgiving to mark the Queen’s decades of service. Despite being closed to the public, a similar service for the monarch’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012 saw thousands of well-wishers line the streets.
4 June | Platinum Party at the Palace
A live concert staged by the BBC will broadcast from Buckingham Palace (above), with some of the world’s biggest names in entertainment on hand to celebrate the Queen’s 70-year reign. Guests will include military personnel, charity organisations and volunteers. Fans can expect a mix of contemporary pop, classical music and classic rock ‘n’ roll.
5 June | The Platinum Jubilee Pageant
Artists, musicians, dancers, military personnel and key workers unite for the Platinum Jubilee Pageant that combines street arts, theatre, and visual technology. Highlights include marching bands with representatives from across the Commonwealth, the ‘River of Hope’ procession of 200 silk flags decorated by school children and a carnival-style street dance, before a mystery grand finale.
Days out
Superbloom at The Tower
The Tower of London celebrates the Jubilee from 1 June until September 2022 with Superbloom (below left). The spectacular immersive flower display will take over the Tower’s medieval, with more than 20million seeds planted to create an explosion of colours, interspersed with sculptural elements and soundscapes that pay tribute to the natural world.
The Queen's Private Estates
Step inside Elizabeth II’s private retreats over the June Bank Holiday weekend, as the royal residences of Sandringham (Norfolk) and Balmoral (Scotland) will be open to the public for free concert screening, live band music and lighting of the Jubilee Beacons. sandringhamestate.co.uk; balmoralcastle.com
The Epsom Derby
The Cazoo Derby at Epsom Downs is one of the most exciting horseracing events of the season. Hosted on 3-4 June, the Queen herself will be in attendance to watch the nail-biting racing action amid the carnival spirit of the event. thejockeyclub.co.uk
Imperial War Museum, Duxford
For the first time ever, IWM Duxford will celebrate the role of the royal family during wartime, with unearthed footage and poignant memorabilia from the archives. Explore amazing aircraft through the ages and trace the Queen’s wartime military service in this exhibit, open until 8 January 2023.
* The Goring
Overnight stays
The Goring
One the royals’ favourite hotels, The Goring (left), is offering a host of treats to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee. The most exceptional is the two-night Jubilee Goring Stay, which includes a new cocktail – The Jubilee Fizz – with canapés in the Goring Cocktail Bar, a three-course meal in the Michelin-starred Dining Room, a Bollinger Afternoon Tea for two (left and below) – the perfect royal toast.
Corinthia
The Corinthia’s Royal Experience package offers a sensational overnight stay in the hotel’s Royal Penthouse with butler service. Starting with collection by Rolls-Royce Phantom, guests will enjoy a private afternoon tea, cocktails while observing the Trooping the Colour fly-by, Chef Tom Kerridge’s Great British Menu dining experience and spa treatments.
Shangri-La The Shard
From its wellness in the clouds packages to food themed around the Queen’s travels around the world, Shangri-La The Shard is the ultimate destination to experience a bird’s eye view of London’s Jubilee weekend. And, with many suites – and the hotel’s Ting lounge – overlooking the Tower of London’s Superbloom installation, the best views in London will get an upgrade for June.
Claridge's
Another royal favourite, Claridge’s has played host to many of the Windsor’s private parties – including the Queen’s 60th birthday party in 1986. This year, the art deco hotel has opened its archives to share moments from the Queen’s coronation, including rare footage, menus and memorabilia. Don’t miss out on the Windsor Rose cocktail, created 70 years ago for the coronation, at the venue’s restaurants and bars.
Fit for a Queen…
Established in 1993, the non-profit organisation Royal Collection Trust was created to curate and protect the Royal Collection – looking after royal residences, jewels, art and more for the enjoyment of the public for generations to come. From art exhibits at The Queen’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace, to hosting expert talks about the history of the monarchy, Royal Collection Trust is a font of knowledge for history buffs.
This year, to mark the Platinum Jubilee, the organisation has curated special exhibitions across the country that provide an intimate insight into the Queen as she celebrates her 70th year on the throne. Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle and Edinburgh’s Holyroodhouse will all host special displays inspired by the Queen’s coronation and jubilees past from June to October – with rare portraits, iconic outfits and Crown Jewels all on public display, some for the first time ever.
Platinum Jubilee: The Queen’s Accession sees The State Rooms at London’s Buckingham Palace transformed into 1953, the year of the Coronation. Displays include a selection of remarkable portraits of the Queen taken by Dorothy Wilding – these formed Elizabeth’s portrait for stamps and embassies until 1971 – as well as The Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara, which was given to Elizabeth by her grandmother, Queen Mary, on the occasion of her marriage to Prince Philip.
Windsor Castle, meanwhile, will host its own coronation exhibition titled Platinum Jubilee: The Queen’s Coronation, which will feature the Coronation Dress and Robe of Estate worn by the monarch on the day of her accession. The magnificent dress was designed by Sir Norman Hartnell, and the white duchesse satin gown features floral emblems of the UK and Commonwealth in its details.
Finally, and not to be outdone, the Palace of Holyroodhouse will host a celebration of Jubilees past in its Platinum Jubilee Display, featuring outfits worn by Elizabeth during her Silver, Golden and Diamond Jubilee celebrations. Highlights include the pink dress, coat and stole ensemble worn by the Queen during her 1977 Silver Jubilee, designed by royal couturier Sir Hardy Amies (with a matching hat designed by Simone Mirman), which was faithfully copied for Netflix series The Crown.
Book tickets now at rct.uk