The Queen’s coronation took place on June 2 1953, but she ascended the throne on February 6, 1952, after her father, George VI died. This year marks the Queen’s 70th year as Britain’s monarch, a milestone that no other royal has reached.
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The Queen’s celebrations
The first event to mark the Queen’s reign is the Pudding Competition. The competition opened on January 10 and the final took place on May 30. This competition was held to have a celebratory dish to commemorate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, the same as Coronation Chicken was made for her coronation.
Even though the Queen ascended the throne in February, the celebration weekend is taking place this weekend, from June 2 to June 5, as the summer will provide a better chance of good weather.Most Royal celebrations take place during the summer. For example, the Queen has two birthdays, her official birthday is April 21 but her royal birthday is June 11.
The four-day celebration in June is a bank holiday weekend. To create this bank holiday, the late May Spring Bank Holiday has been moved to 2 June and an additional one-off bank holiday on 3 June has been created.
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A first-time event
The Queen reaching 70 years on the throne is a first-time event, the closer monarch was Queen Victoria who reigned for 63 years. As it is the first time a monarch has reached a Platinum Jubilee, there aren’t any preset events, so this is a historic event. This will also be the Queen’s first Jubilee celebration without her husband, Prince Philip.
It is still unsure how many events the Queen will attend herself due to recent health problems, but those she cannot carry out will be filled in by Prince Charles and his wife Camilla.
Key dates
- Thursday 2 June: Trooping of the colour
- Friday 3 June: Service of Thanksgiving for the Queen's reign at St Paul’s Cathedral
- Saturday 4 June: Derby at Epsom Downs
- Sunday 5 June: Big Jubilee Lunch where the public will host street parties and lunches
The Jubilee weekend is here
The Queen has attended numerous events in the weeks leading up to her Jubilee weekend. Until now, the public wasn't sure which events the Monarch would attend.
We now know the Queen will be at the Trooping the Colour parade, although, Prince Charles will be leading the inspection of the troops which was confirmed on Wednesday, June 1 according to People.
The Independent reported that the Queen will also attend a Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral on Friday, June 3.
Prince Harry and Meghan attending the Jubilee
The Sussexes have flown to London with their two young children, Archie and Lilibet. The couple won’t be on the balcony for the traditional fly by but will watch the Trooping the Colour parade from the Major General’s Office. A spokesperson for the Sussexes told People that they ‘look forward’ to watch the Queen’s annual parade ‘from the Major General's Office tomorrow,’.
Prince Harry and Meghan will also attend the Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral on Friday.
Read more:
⋙ Prince William and Kate to miss Lilibet’s birthday celebration, this is why
⋙ Queen’s Platinum Jubilee: Royal Family to join the public for a record-breaking lunch
⋙ The Queen has appointed these roles to certain Royal Family members for her Platinum Jubilee
