The Queen's Platinum Jubilee Celebrations Will Be a "Reopening Ceremony" for the U.K Following COVID
Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee next year will be marked with an extended weekend of events in June. And today, further details of the celebrations were revealed, including giant puppets, marching bands, dancers, musicians, and even a trapeze artist suspended beneath a huge helium balloon.
The carnival-style Platinum Jubilee Pageant will take place on Sunday, June 5, 2022, with more than 5,000 participants from across the Commonwealth. Described as “something of a reopening ceremony for the United Kingdom” following continued COVID restrictions throughout 2020 and 2021, the event will round off four days of public celebrations to mark the Queen’s record-breaking 70 years on the throne.
“We see the 2022 Platinum Jubilee weekend as an opportunity for the country to emerge united, re-energized and renewed. It will in a sense be a reopening ceremony for the U.K, a catalysing moment of national purpose and most importantly to be fun, joyful and to entertain,” Pageant co-chairman Nicholas Coleridge told reporters and supporters today as he introduced the event.
His co-chair, Sir Michael Lockett, added, “We’re not just telling the story of an incredible life...it is the story of the second Elizabethan age, a time of rapid change and unparalleled progress.”
The procession, which is in three acts, will travel through the streets of Westminster and along the Mall past Buckingham Palace. The first act is a military spectacle, the second act will tell the story of the Queen’s reign and how society has transformed throughout the decades. An original story by writer Sir Michael Morpurgo called There once is a Queen will be brought to life and the parade will feature music, dance and puppets. The finale of the pageant has yet to be revealed.
Many of the design-elements will be crafted by community groups from across the Commonwealth and will also nod to the Queen’s interests as well as her service. “There are ponies, racehorses, all of the Queen’s favorites, and misbehaving corgis too. They create comic chaos along the Mall,” Pageant Master Adrian Evans told reporters and supporters. He described how one section will feature “a trapeze artist, suspended beneath a vast helium-filled balloon printed with the image of the Queen.”
The budget for the pageant is ￡10m to ￡15m but no public funds are being used. The money is being raised privately through corporate and individual partners and sponsors.
The four-day weekend for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee begins on Thursday, June 2, 2022, and so far the program has been revealed as follows:
Thursday June 2nd
The Queen’s Birthday Parade (Trooping the Colour): More than 1,400 soldiers, 200 horses and 400 musicians will take part in a traditional parade to mark the Queen's official birthday. This is usually held on a Saturday in June but has been moved to a Thursday in the Platinum Jubilee year. It will culminate with the royal family watching an RAF flyover from the Buckingham Palace balcony.
Platinum Jubilee Beacons: Beacons will be lit throughout the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, UK Overseas Territories, and in the capital cities of the Commonwealth countries.
Friday June 3rd
Service of Thanksgiving: A Service of Thanksgiving for The Queen’s reign will be held at St Paul’s Cathedral.
Saturday June 4th
The Derby at Epsom Downs: The Queen and members of the royal family will attend the Derby at Epsom Downs racecourse.
Platinum Party at the Palace: The BBC will stage and broadcast a live concert from Buckingham Palace. The royal household said it will “bring together some of the world’s biggest entertainment stars to celebrate the most significant and joyous moments from The Queen’s seven decade reign.”
Sunday June 5th
The Big Jubilee Lunch: People are invited to get together with friends and neighbors for food and drink.
The Platinum Jubilee Pageant: A pageant featuring more than 5,000 people from across the UK and the Commonwealth will take place against the backdrop of Buckingham Palace and the surrounding streets. It is expected to combine street arts, theatre, music, circus, carnival and costume.
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