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Platinum Jubilee Celebrations 2022
As we pay tribute to the remarkable life and reign of HM Queen Elizabeth II, we look back at the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June 2022
This year’s Platinum Jubilee Celebrations were some of the biggest and most impressive royal celebrations our country has ever seen.
To celebrate The Queen’s momentous milestone, 70 years on the throne, events and initiatives will take place throughout the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth, and around the world, culminating in a four-day bank holiday weekend in the UK from Thursday 2 – Sunday 5 June.
Below is our breakdown of official events, and others happening across the country throughout the year and over the bank holiday weekend!
Get Involved!
Several ongoing initiatives have already been launched to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in the run up to events in June, and these are open for anyone to take part in.
The Queen’s Green Canopy
This initiative is encouraging people all over the country to ‘plant a tree for the Jubilee.’ At the beginning of 2022, 60,000 trees had already been planted in the UK in the two months since the planting season began. The initiative will generate the planting of large trees, tree avenues, urban planting and new expansive forests that will leave a lasting legacy for future generations. The project is also working to protect 70 ancient trees and woodlands across the country, and a special training programme has been launched to teach unemployed young people new skills in tree planting and management.
Get involved with The Queen’s Green Canopy here.
Platinum Pudding Competition
Calling all keen bakers, in collaboration with Fortnum and Mason and The Big Jubilee Lunch, Dame Mary Berry, Monica Galetti and Buckingham Palace head chef Mark Flanagan are on the hunt to find a brand-new pudding dedicated to the Queen to mark this special anniversary.
UK applicants aged eight and over have been invited to enter their recipe and the five finalists will then prepare their pudding in front of this expert judging panel. The winning recipe will be made available to the public and will be enjoyed as part of the Big Jubilee Lunch, as well as by many generations to come. But hurry, entries close today Friday 4 February!
Read more about the Platinum Pudding Competition here.
Bank Holiday Weekend Events Thursday 2 – Sunday 5 June
There’s a lot to look forward to over the official Jubilee weekend!
Thursday 2 June
The Queen’s Birthday Parade
Events in London will kick off with The Queen’s Birthday Parade, otherwise known as the Trooping of the Colour. Marking the Queen’s official birthday, which is usually held on the second Saturday in June. During the event, 1400 parading soldiers, 200 horses and 400 musicians will begin at Buckingham Palace and move down The Mall to Horseguard’s Parade, accompanied by members of the Royal Family on horseback and in carriages. As is tradition, the parade will close with an RAF fly-past.
Apply for tickers for The Queen’s Birthday Parade here.
Platinum Jubilee Beacons
Thursday 2 June will also see the lighting of the Platinum Jubilee Beacons, a long tradition used to mark royal celebrations. More than 1500 beacons will be lit throughout the UK, Channel Islands, the Isle and Man and UK Overseas Territories, and for the first time, beacons will be lit in each of the Commonwealth countries. A special ceremony will be held to light the Principal beacon at Buckingham Palace.
Friday 3 June
On Friday 3 June there will be a special Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral. Details of this are being kept under wraps until later this month.
Saturday 4 June
Derby at Epsom Downs
This day will see the Queen attend the Derby at Epsom Downs, accompanied by members of the Royal Family.
Platinum Party at the Palace
In the evening of Saturday 4 June, the BBC will stage and broadcast a live concert from Buckingham Palace. Though performers have yet to be named, this is set to be a spectacle to rival that held for the Diamond Jubilee, bringing together some of the world’s biggest stars in entertainment from the Queen’s 70-year reign. The ballot for UK residents to secure tickets will be launched later this month.
Sunday 5 June
The Big Jubilee Lunch
As is tradition with royal celebrations, Sunday 5 June will see street parties up and down the country as communities are encouraged to get together to mark the occasion. Over 1400 people have registered to host Big Lunches so far.
Find a Big Jubilee Lunch near you, or get tips for hosting your own lunch here.
Platinum Jubilee Pageant
In London on 5 June, the official Platinum Jubilee Pageant will take place, with artistic performers, dancers, musicians, military personnel, key workers and volunteers uniting to tell the story of the Queen’s 70-year reign, drawing on talent from every part of the United Kingdom and across the Commonwealth.
The Mall will also be transformed into a ‘River of Hope’, comprising two hundred silk flags designed by school children and showing their hopes and aspirations for the planet over the next 70 years.
Other events around the country to look forward to…
The Queen’s Private Estates
Balmoral
Balmoral has announced it will reopen its doors this summer from 1 April to 2 August, to offer visitors the chance to visit the historic castle in this most momentous of years. Further details of celebrations are yet to be announced, but tickets for their Jubilee weekend afternoon tea are on currently on sale.
Book tickets to visit Balmoral over the Jubilee weekend here.
Sandringham
Local residents and visitors will be able to enjoy the bank holiday weekend celebrations at Sandringham. On Friday 3 June there will be a live outdoor music concert with performances from Katherine Jenkins and The Military Wives. On Saturday 4 June there will also be a live showing of the ‘Platinum Party at the Palace’ on a big screen at the Royal Parkland.
Book your tickets for the Jubilee weekend at Sandringham here.
The Royal Collection Trust
Other events later in the year include three special displays by The Royal Collection Trust at the official royal residences from July 2022.
Edinburgh’s royal residence, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, will celebrate the Platinum Jubilee with a display of outfits worn by Her Majesty to celebrate her Silver, Golden and Diamond Jubilees. Visitors will be able to see the outfit Her Majesty wore for the Silver Jubilee in 1977 (pictured above), when the royal couturier Sir Hardy Amies designed a striking ensemble of dress, coat and stole in pink silk crêpe and chiffon, with a matching hat designed by Frederick Fox with flowerheads hanging from silk stems.
Read more about Holyroodhouse in our guide to Edinburgh here.
Buckingham Palace will be exhibiting portraits of The Queen, as well as items from her personal jewellery collection, and a display of her Coronation Dress and Robe of Estate will be at Windsor Castle.
Glenapp Castle
The beautiful Glenapp Castle in Ayreshire will be hosting a special Platinum Jubilee afternoon tea throughout the month of June to celebrate Her Majesty’s 70 years on the throne. Guests will be treated to some royal-themed treats, including a tonka bean macaron topped with a royal crown, a Scottish blackberry & lavender mousse with an olive oil Sponge and almond sable, a blackcurrant choux bun with Hendricks Gin jelly & Parma Violet cremeaux and a jewel encrusted passionfruit, milk chocolate & vanilla delice. Plus, if your name is Elizabeth, you’ll be treated to a free glass of champagne!
The afternoon tea will be available in the hotel’s new Azalea Glasshouse & Bothy Restaurant opening in May 2022. Find out more here.
Platinum Jubilee Souvenirs
Here at Scotland magazine, we couldn’t let such an important royal occasion go by without an appropriate fanfare, so we are offering you the chance to purchase your own Limited Edition Platinum Jubilee mug, designed by Susan Rose China.
There are three different sizes and designs on offer, each hand-drawn and each inspired by the life and service of Her Majesty The Queen.
Buy your Platinum Jubilee mug here.
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