Expats and Anglophiles will be partying in the streets around the world on Sunday June 5th in celebration of Queen Elizabeth's 2022 Platinum Jubilee. Whether or not you're a fan of British royalty, or any concept of modern monarchy for that matter there's no disputing the enormous sense of national heritage identity and pride felt by many expats such as myself when it comes to the Queen.
In an era where it's understandable to question the preservation of such old-school pomp, ceremony and elitism that is undoubtedly the British monarchy, polls show that the majority of Brits are not in favor of ditching the royal fam any time soon. Maybe it's because the royals have managed to ride out thousands of years of unrest, including the enormous present day social changes that we do keep them around in an increasingly streamlined form. It's clear it's time to give back in new and effective ways.
Despite their rocky patches and the odd particularly unsuitable family member (every fam has one), there's a steadying influence of a clan that has weathered storm after storm.
During this time in history that we're experiencing, I think that their old-fashioned anchor somehow provides a bigger picture, a larger, national and international family — and when the Queen passes away her exit from the precarious living world as we know it will undoubtedly be bigger than one would imagine.
I have a small collection of royal memorabilia from growing up in the UK. We were given Silver Jubilee mugs at elementary school and I fondly recall the street parties and discos on the village green. I wrote and illustrated a booklet on the Queen that year, 1977, aged 11 in school. I still have it. I recall how proud I was with my work and it was probably my first book when I think about it now.
And yes, the royals do cost the UK a lot, but they also bring in big bucks (or pounds sterling rather) in tourism — with billions expected to be raked in this summer. I don't doubt that there will be further trimming down of the coffers over the next two generations of the British royal family to align more with the style of other less ceremonial European royals. It's already started and it'll look a lot different by the time William and Kate take over the palace.
Still, The Platinum Jubilee marks 70 years of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign. And let's hear it for Elizabeth. For she is the first British monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee and officially the longest-reigning monarch in UK history. In fact, she is only a few years behind Louis XIV of France who is the world’s longest-reigning monarch! King Louis XIV spent 72 years on the throne from 1643 to 1715. Close behind are Johann II of Liechtenstein and Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand, both with 70-year reigns under their belts.
Queen Elizabeth II became monarch in 1952 at the age of 25 following the untimely death of her father King George VI. Since then, she has ruled and represented the United Kingdom for a whopping seven decades.
The Queen has presided over 14 British Prime Ministers and has met 13 out of 14 US presidents.
The annual Trooping the Color event, also known as the Queen’s Birthday Parade, is taking place at Buckingham Palace in London on Thursday, 2 June. 1,400 parading soldiers, 200 horses and 400 musicians are part of the procession that travels down The Mall to the Horse Guards Parade. Also joining are members of the Royal Family (on horseback and in carriages). The traditional RAF fly-past will also take place with the Queen watching from the balcony of Buckingham Palace. The event is open to the public and will also be broadcast live on BBC One.
There will be a Service of Thanksgiving for the Queen’s reign at St Paul’s Cathedral on Friday, 3 June. The following day, on Saturday 4 June, the Queen and members of the Royal Family will attend the Derby at Epsom Downs racecourse while, in the evening, the BBC Platinum Party at the Palace takes place at Buckingham Palace.
The Big Jubilee Lunch:
Over 60k people have registered to host Big Jubilee Lunches on the Platinum celebration weekend, with events ranging from world record attempts for the longest street party to back garden BBQ’s and everything in between. Over ten million people across the UK are expected to be joining the celebrations to share friendship, food and fun at Big Jubilee Lunches as part of this nationwide act of community friendship. People across the world are also joining in with over 600 international Big Jubilee Lunches being planned throughout the Commonwealth and beyond - from Canada to Brazil, New Zealand to Japan and South Africa to Switzerland.
Vintage recipes come into their own during street parties. Iced buns, scones, Scotch eggs and sausage rolls, cucumber sandwiches of course, Victoria Sponge, sherry trifle, Pimms Cup. Here's a photo of me at brunch in my Petaluma kitchen on Harry and Meghan's wedding day. I'm looking forward to some festive shenanigans with local British contingency on the 5th.
In London, on the same day, the Platinum Jubilee Pageant takes place. National treasures and iconic figures from music, film, sport and the arts will take part in the Pageant including much-loved celebrity names, alongside military personnel, key workers and volunteers.
Though the Queen won't personally travel in The Gold State Carriage, led by The Sovereign’s Escort, the carriage will lead the Platinum Jubilee Pageant, embracing the latest in digital technology to evoke the excitement and majesty of her journey to be crowned 70 years ago.
Platinum Jubilee Beacons: The United Kingdom’s long tradition of celebrating Royal Jubilees, Weddings and Coronations with the lighting of beacons will continue for the Platinum Jubilee.
A beacon chain, once used as a tool for communication, has now become a symbol of unity across towns, borders, countries and continents and is often the central point of focus for any outdoor gathering or celebration. In 1897, beacons were lit to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. In 1977, 2002 and 2012, beacons commemorated the Silver, Golden and Diamond Jubilees of The Queen, and in 2016 Her Majesty’s 90th birthday. Over 1,500 beacons will be lit throughout the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and UK Overseas Territories.
The Principal beacon, involving The Tree of Trees (a 21m high 'tree' constructed of 350 smaller trees), will be lit in a special ceremony at Buckingham Palace at 9pm.
There will be three kinds of beacon events:
- Community Beacons – thousands of beacons will be lit by communities, charities and different groups throughout the regions of the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and UK Overseas Territories.
- Commonwealth Beacons - beacons will be lit in all capital cities of the Commonwealth - 54 in total.
- Principal Beacon - to be lit on the 2nd June in a special ceremony at Buckingham Palace.
"In times of doubt and anxiety, the attitudes people show in their daily lives, in their homes and in their work are of supreme importance." —
Queen Elizabeth, 1974 Christmas Broadcast
I'm looking forward to a bit of fun with teapots and a few close pals here on the 5th, Stateside. Why not?
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