The flags are up, the bunting has been hung and royal fans from around the world are now arriving in London for the Platinum Jubilee. For many, the trip is a lifelong dream come true.
“I have never been to England, let alone a royal event,” said Kim Compton of Florida. “Given the historical significance of the event, I knew I had to make it over.”
Californian Irene is heading to London for the first time with her sister to take in the Jubilee and celebrate both of their fortieth birthdays. “I just find the history and tradition fascinating,” she told Royal Central. “It’s definitely a bucket list trip for me for sure.”
Sara Lister of Albuquerque, New Mexico — who has an English Bulldog named Windsor Elizabeth — is bringing her 17-year-old niece, Grace, along for the Jubilee. “I admire so much about her [The Queen] and to me she is just living history,” she said, adding that Grace “has agreed to wear matching shirts for Trooping the Colour.”
(Photo courtesy of Sharon Adler)
New Yorker Sharon Adler is another American who is making the trip across the pond. “As someone who has always loved the royals from afar, it feels really special to be able to be there in person and experience the excitement firsthand,” the royal watcher said.
Her friend Julie James is meeting Adler all the way from Omaha, Nebraska. “I am still trying to wrap my head around the idea that I’m fortunate enough to experience this Platinum Jubilee first-hand,” she said.
Americans aren’t the only royal fans flying to the capital. Canadian royal watcher Katrina Siddons-Fassé has seen members of the Royal Family during Canadian royal tours over the years, but extended a previously booked trip to Europe when she found out the Jubilee was happening at the same time.
Sharing that she’s looking forward “to seeing Meghan and Harry at the thanksgiving service,” as well as Her Majesty, Siddons-Fassé said her first royal event in the UK “will be something to remember.”
Italian royal memorabilia collector Sara Morelli is excited “to experience the atmosphere” in London for her first Trooping the Colour experience as well as adding some new pieces to her collection of about 1,000 royal souvenirs. Morelli said she owns “potteries, books, puzzles, umbrellas, cutlery … in short, a bit of everything as long as it concerns the Royal Family.”
Anna Gesiak of Poland is also heading over for the Jubilee to attend her first royal event. Gesiak, who is an avid royal fashion fan, said she’s most looking forward to seeing the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and The Queen in person and will be in London thanks to her husband “who wanted to make my dream true.”
While some visitors have never seen a member of the Royal Family in person, others are seasoned at scouting out the best spots to catch the action. American royal blogger Marlene Koenig, who has been to all of The Queen’s Jubilees through the years, is making her 50th trip to England this week and basing herself in Walthamstow for 15 days.
“When I went to the Silver Jubilee in 1977 I never thought I would have gone to three more Jubilees,” she said. “As a royal historian, this is an amazing achievement for me, a British sovereign having reigned for 70 years.”
(Photo courtesy of Susannah Giryluk)
Pamela Walters and her daughter, Susannah Giryluk, have attended numerous royal events over the years, including the 2018 royal wedding and several trips to Trooping the Colour and Royal Ascot. The pair is returning to London for the first time since the pandemic started.
“I’m feeling excited and emotional about finally returning to London for the Jubilee,” Walters said, adding that The Queen “has fully lived and embraced her role, but always seems to offer us exactly what we need in times of trouble.”
Giryluk — who hopes she’ll see Prince George and Princess Charlotte in the Trooping procession this year — advised those attending to arrive early, check photos and footage from past events and be prepared with “snacks and layers because it’s often a lot of waiting.”
“I always look at where the media pen is so that you know where they will pass by,” she said, adding she’s been able to get “lots of helpful tips about where to see them from local people.”
From Trooping the Colour to the Platinum Jubilee Pageant, it’s an exciting week of pomp and pageantry, but for many, there’s a sense in the air that it’s the end of an era.
“It truly feels as though the changing of the guard is rapidly approaching and I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to see The Queen before it’s too late,” Compton said.
