The Queen’s grandson, Peter Phillips, has said that the huge street party he is helping organise to mark her 90th birthday next year should ‘reflect the service she’s given to all her organisations and charities’. The Patron’s Lunch, which will take place on The Mall on June 12th 2016, will see 10,000 people sit down and enjoy a picnic in the centre of London.
The Queen is said to be excited at the prospect of the huge lunch which will be held on The Mall as part of her 90th birthday celebrations
The huge street party was Peter Phillips’ idea and it’s hoped that the event will inspire others to hold similar lunches around the country as part of celebrations for The Queen’s 90th birthday next summer. Peter Phillips said he wanted those to be for the direct benefit of local communities and added ‘ I hope that people in Britain and across the Commonwealth dust off their picnic tables and join us in celebrating this very special occasion’.
People involved in the 600 charities of which The Queen is patron will be among the guests on The Mall and there will also be a public ballot for some of the spaces. Those who join the party will sit down at massive trestle tables and tuck into picnic hampers of goodies. And they might find themselves sharing sandwiches with some royal guests as The Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry, as well as other members of the Royal Family, will be joining the celebrations.
Peter Phillips is a director of a global events agency, Sports Entertainment Ltd, and he has spent today spreading the message about the huge celebration which will come at the end of three days of events to mark The Queen’s 90th birthday. These will include a service of thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral on June 10th, also The Duke of Edinburgh’s 95th birthday, and Trooping the Colour which will take place on June 11th 2016.
The Queen’s eldest grandchild, who was born in the year of her Silver Jubilee when millions held street parties across the UK, said this latest event had taken part of its inspiration from the past. “We wanted to create a celebration based off the back of the successful Golden Jubilee and Diamond Jubilee where there was a groundswell of warmth and affection for the Queen,” Mr Phillips said.
And he shared some of the personal reaction he has received from The Queen, saying of his grandmother “she’s obviously been kept abreast through her office about all the developments, and the times I’ve had the chance to talk to her she’s been excited by it.”
Peter Phillips was keen to emphasise the importance of The Queen’s charities at The Patron’s Lunch. It will raise funds for the Patron’s Fund which will support initiatives developed by many of the organisations with which Her Majesty is associated.
And with this very royal take on a very British way of celebrating major royal occasions, her first grandchild will ensure that that party takes place on a global scale.
Photo credit: Kiefer via Flickr
HAPPY BIRTHDAY !