It was a royal first and it may never come again but it happened, and given the events of a few months later, many are very glad that it did. In 2022, Queen Elizabeth II became the only British monarch ever to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee. And as she made history, millions took it as an opportunity to celebrate and to say thank you.
Plans for the celebratory Jubilee weekend had been announced exactly a year before they were set to take place but by the time that weekend in June rolled round, much had changed. By the time the actual 70th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign arrived, on February 6th 2022, several months of mobility issues and health concerns had led to questions over how much the Monarch at the hart of the celebrations would be able to participate.
In the end, that moment of history was marked elegantly by Elizabeth II, who appeared in portrait that also featured an image of her beloved father, King George VI. The Platinum Queen was also seen viewing some of the thousands of cards sent from around the world as well as hosting a tea party for workers on her Windsor estate. But it was the personal message she sent on her actual Jubilee day that caught the world’s attention. Elizabeth II used one of the most highly anticipated statements of her reign to say, quite firmly, that she wanted her daughter-in-law, Camilla, to one day be queen consort.
That same daughter in law, still Duchess of Cornwall, played a high profile role in events leading up to the Jubilee celebratory weekend as Elizabeth II continued to judge participation in events on a one by one basis given her age and health issues. Camilla, along with her husband, starred in a Jubilee edition of EastEnders and judged the Platinum Pudding competition, choosing a citrus trifle as the culinary commemoration of this historic event.
They took on a visit to Canada and enjoyed a far smoother journey than the one undertaken by the then Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to the Caribbean where questions over colonialism dominated. And as the big Jubilee fiesta arrived, they were earmarked to lead celebrations when Elizabeth II was unable to attend.
However, ultimately, despite her attendance at just a handful of the Platinum festivities, it was Queen Elizabeth II who reigned over this spectacular moment in royal history. A portrait of her, released on the eve of the celebratory weekend, showed her in front of the Round Tower of Windsor Castle. For almost 1,000 years it had been the symbol of royal power. Now, like much else in regal history, it took its place behind the Monarch many had already called the greatest of them all.
For the first time in memory, Elizabeth II didn’t preside over the main salute at Trooping the Colour. Instead, her heir, Charles took the lead at Horse Guards but as the troops marched back down the Mall, a figure clad in pale blue appeared on the balcony. Elizabeth II, with her loyal cousin, the Duke of Kent, at her side, reviewed her military from Buckingham Palace and enjoyed every moment of it.
Later, she reappeared on the balcony with all the working members of the Royal Family as well as the children of William and Catherine, then Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. By her side were three direct heirs but the star of the show was one of her younger great grandchildren. Prince Louis’ hilarious reaction to the flypast and the crowds charmed everyone, not least Elizabeth II who appeared to revel in every second of this unexpected Jubilee treat.
By the evening, the Monarch had retired to Windsor Castle where she lit a globe that sent a streak of power, symbolically, to Buckingham Palace where Prince William oversaw the lighting of the Platinum Jubilee beacon. Flames were lit around the nation, following a pattern set over centuries for major royal events.
The following morning, it was Charles and Camilla who led the Royal Family to St. Paul’s Cathedral for the Service of Thanksgiving for the long reign of Elizabeth II. The Queen had already said she was too tired by the events of the first of her Jubilee days to attend while her second son, the Duke of York, had conveniently contracted Covid and had announced he wouldn’t be in attendance. A reception at the Guildhall followed before working members of the Royal Family headed off around the UK for Jubilee visits.
It was the Princess Royal who took the lead on day three of the Jubilee celebrations, heading to Epsom for the Derby. It was no secret that this had been one part of the Platinum festivities that Elizabeth II had most looked forward to but she stayed in Windsor while her daughter cheered on the runners. Later, pretty much the whole Royal Family turned out at Buckingham Palace for the Platinum Party which saw some of the biggest names in music serenade the historic Monarch who was watching on TV at Windsor.
Queen Elizabeth II had already pulled the biggest surprise of the weekend. As the party got under way, she appeared in a recorded sketch with Paddington. The two shared anecdotes and marmalade sandwiches as well as a teacup tap-a-long to, appropriately enough, Queen.
The Platinum Pageant rounded off the celebratory weekend. The huge carnival took over the streets of London for most of Sunday June 5th 2022, all led off by the Gold State Coach which was drawn through the capital while projecting images of Elizabeth II at her Coronation. Already, talk was turning to how the 70th anniversary of that historic event would be marked – for, of course, Elizabeth would be there, again. Anything else was, at that point, unthinkable.
As if to underline that fact, as the Pageant wound to an end, the Royal Standard rose above Buckingham Palace. The spectacular show had thrilled the crowds but they were equally excited at the realisation that Elizabeth II was back in London. The doors on to the balcony opened and out she stepped, followed by the three princes in direct succession to her throne. But the cheers were for her, the historic Queen whose service and devotion had resulted in this special celebration.
Elizabeth II looked almost overcome with emotion as she stood surveying the vast mass of people on the Mall, all singing for her. That was understandable but made more so within months. For, it is very possible, that the Platinum Queen knew, at that moment, that she would never stand on that balcony again. Three months later, crowds gathered once more at the Palace gates, this time to mourn her death.
The loss of Queen Elizabeth II in the year that she made history with the only Platinum Jubilee Britain has ever known has made memories of that special time rather poignant. She had become the queen of Jubilees, celebrating four of them in her epic reign. Each had had its own character, each had marked a moment in time. The last would provide a chance to celebrate, once more, a Monarch whose life and reign are unparalleled.
The Platinum Jubilee provided pomp, ceremony and a chance to come together after the forced separation of the pandemic. It gave millions the chance to come together, at Big Lunches and at street parties while souvenirs now litter drawers and sideboards around the world, flashes of purple and platinum turned into memories that will last for years to come. But, above all, that one weekend in June provided the perfect opportunity at the perfect time to say one thing that needed saying. Paddington spoke for many when he doffed his hat and told Elizabeth II ”thank you – for everything”.
