New details have emerged about the Platinum Jubilee Pageant, the bookend of a successful Platinum Jubilee weekend, hours before the show begins.
With a route beginning at Whitehall, heading up Admiralty Arch, up The Mall and to Buckingham Palace, the Pageant continues around the Queen Victoria Memorial and down the Birdcage Walk.
This three-kilometre route will trace 70 years of The Queen’s reign in four acts with over 6,000 participants from across the UK, the Commonwealth, and the world.
The first act is entitled ‘For Queen and Country’ and will mimic The Queen’s coronation day. The Golden State Coach will travel through the streets of London—for the first time in 20 years—while displaying images of The Queen on her coronation day.
A military parade will follow, with all three service branches within the UK represented, as well as military from all over the Commonwealth. In total, the BBC says that there will be 1,750 military personnel and 200 horses for “one of the largest military spectacles in modern history.”
The second act is entitled ‘The Time of Our Lives’ and will trace the cultural history of the UK and the Commonwealth throughout The Queen’s 70-year reign. In total, 2,500 people are involved in this act, plus wrapped double decker buses that will act as scrapbooks for the times of her reign. As well, 150 ‘national treasure’ performers will appear to showcase how British culture has been shaped by The Queen’s reign.
The third act is entitled ‘Let’s Celebrate’ and will showcase major moments of The Queen’s reign in 12 chapters, including her 1947 wedding to Prince Philip and her hobbies like horse racing.
Finally, the fourth act is entitled ‘Happy and Glorious’ and will end at the Queen Victoria Memorial outside Buckingham Palace. This will be the chance for performers and the public to give thanks to The Queen.
And in a poignant finale moment, Ed Sheeran will perform his hit song ‘Perfect’ as a tribute to the love story between The Queen and the late Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
The Platinum Jubilee Pageant will air on BBC One from 14:00, beginning with the pre-show. The Pageant itself runs from 14:30 to 17:00.
