SUPPORT OUR JOURNALISM: Please consider donating to keep our website running and free for all - thank you!

British RoyalsHistoryQueen Elizabeth II

Milestones of a Monarch: The Diamond Jubilee

With the Platinum Jubilee right around the corner, The Queen’s past jubilees have become a popular topic of discussion again. At Royal Central, we are looking at the Milestones of a Monarch and among the biggest moments in her reign was Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012. 

The Queen celebrated her Diamond Jubilee in 2012, with the main festivities taking place over a four day weekend in June. The Royal Family was enjoying a high point in popularity. After the 2011 wedding of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, there was renewed positive interest in the newest generation of working royals, as well as the London Olympics that followed in July of that year.

The celebrations opened with the Thames Diamond Jubilee River Pageant. It was the largest river pageant to be held, with over 650 commercial, military, and personal crafts parading down the River Thames in the heart of London. 

The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and Prince Harry rode in the MV Spirit of Chartwell with other members of the Royal Family on other crafts. 

Although the pageant was spectacular, the weather was not – it was rather cold and rainy. Prince Philip ended up in hospital shortly afterwards with a bladder infection. 

On Sunday, 4 June, there was a large concert held on The Mall. The Diamond Jubilee Concert featured performers from each of the six decades of Her Majesty’s reign, including Elton John, Kylie Minogue, Queen, and Ed Sheerhan. 

A Service of Thanksgiving took place on 5 June at St Paul’s Cathedral, where the extended Royal Family, and 2,000 guests celebrated The Queen’s reign. 

The weekend wrapped up with a balcony appearance that still inspires discussion and debate to this day. Only The Queen, The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and Prince Harry were on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to highlight the monarch’s streamlined future. (The Duke of Edinburgh was still in hospital and unable to attend.)

The Queen was only the second British Monarch to mark a Diamond Jubilee.

About author

Historian and blogger at AnHistorianAboutTown.com