It was a moment of real history. For the first time, and perhaps the only time, a British Monarch marked 70 years of rule. Queen Elizabeth II reached that milestone on February 6th 2022 but the main celebrations were held on an unforgettable weekend in June.
The Platinum Queen
Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations began with an official portrait that showed the longest reigning Monarch in British history at the heart of the royal story. Elizabeth II looked into legend at Windsor Castle with the Round Tower, the most symbolic image of royalty, behind her. History in the making.
Trooping the Colour
As part of the Jubilee celebrations, Trooping the Colour was held on June 2nd 2022 with King Charles III taking the salute at Horse Guards on behalf of his mother. Queen Elizabeth II reviewed her troops from the balcony of Buckingham Palace where she was later joined by all working members of her Royal Family along with some of the younger ones. Prince Louis and his gan gan became the double act we didn’t know we needed as they revelled in the celebrations together.
Party time for millions
As the Jubilee weekend got under way, hundreds of thousands made their way to London to take part in a celebration seventy years in the making. The best spots on the Mall were taken by dawn, as our reporters Sydney Zatz and Kristin Contino told in fabulous photos. The crowds continued to grow through the whole weekend. It was time to party for the Platinum Queen.
An ancient tradition for an historic Queen
For centuries, major royal events have been heralded by the lighting of beacons. The bonfires and flames have climbed into the night skies of Britain to mark every major regal moment and the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II was no different. Her Majesty started the chain of light by pressing a specially made globe at Windsor which triggered a symbolic trail leading to the Tree of Trees at Buckingham Palace where Prince William did the honours. Meanwhile, communities around Britain and the Commonwealth lit their own beacons to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee.
A Service of Thanksgiving
At the heart of Queen Elizabeth II’s life and reign was her Christian faith which remained resolute. Perhaps the most important part of the Jubilee celebrations was the Service of Thanksgiving at St. Paul’s Cathedral on day two of the long weekend, June 3rd 2022. Queen Elizabeth II announced beforehand that she would not be able to attend as mobility issues continued to affect her. She had her own private service while her family gathered at St. Paul’s where they heard an affectionate and fun filled tribute to her from the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell.
A family affair
It was a worldwide celebration with a family at its heart. As the Jubilee weekend continued, it was Queen Elizabeth II’s family who took centre stage. Visits to every part of the UK were carried out with the Princess Royal in Scotland, the Earl and Countess of Wessex in Northern Ireland and William and Catherine, along with George and Charlotte, in Wales. Princess Anne took charge at the Epsom Derby while Princess Charlotte took charge in the Kensington Palace kitchen, guiding her brothers as they baked for the Jubilee.
Enter Paddington Bear
It was her party and she stole the show. Queen Elizabeth II didn’t attend the Platinum Party held at Buckingham Palace on the evening of June 4th 2022 – Her Late Majesty rarely attended all of the musical extravaganzas that marked her Jubilees. But as the world settled down for a night of entertainment from some of the biggest stars around, the Platinum Queen had a surprise up her sleeve. Before the music started, she appeared in a sketch with Paddington Bear. It lasted just two minutes and became one of the most iconic moments of her reign. Queen Elizabeth II’s acting skills were top notch but the reaction to the sweetest line was very real. Her Majesty looked moved as Paddington spoke for many with the now legendary line ”Happy Jubilee, Ma’am, and thank you – for everything.”
The Jubilee star
Hundreds of thousands lined the streets of London for the final day of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations. Millions more around the country held Big Lunches to mark this once in a lifetime event. The capital came alive with a spectacular festive, the Platinum Pageant, which celebrated every decade of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign with music, costume and dancing. As the party wound towards Buckingham Palace, a huge cheer went up as the Royal Standard was raised. The Platinum Queen was here and ready to join the celebrations. Elizabeth II walked on to that famous balcony with her three direct heirs at her side. There was a tear in her eye as the crowd sang the National Anthem – Elizabeth II had been moved at past Jubilees by the same moment but she, perhaps, knew what we did not. This triumphant moment would be the last time she appeared on the Buckingham Palace balcony. It was history, indeed.
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