What is the Platinum Jubilee?

The Platinum Jubilee marks Elizabeth’s 70th year on the throne. She is the first British monarch to reach that milestone. Her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria was the previous longest-serving monarch, reigning for 63 years before her death at age 81 in 1901.

Let’s back up. What even is a jubilee?

A jubilee is an anniversary celebration with Judeo-Christian origins that was adapted to mark milestones of a British monarch. The third book of the Old Testament, Leviticus, tells people to “sanctify the fiftieth year … for it is the year of jubilee.” Records from the 14th century show that King Edward III celebrated 50 years on the throne, his Golden Jubilee, with a week-long joust and a procession from the Tower of London. But many of today’s jubilee traditions can be traced to the reign of King George III, best known for his poor mental health and for losing the American colonies. The beginning of his 50th year on the throne was marked with church services, feasts, fireworks and souvenirs. The queen celebrated her Silver Jubilee (25 years) in 1977, Golden Jubilee (50 years) in 2002 and Diamond Jubilee (60 years) in 2012.

When is the Platinum Jubilee, and how long will it last?

Elizabeth became queen on the day her father died : Feb. 6, 1952. But the main anniversary celebrations are happening over a four-day public holiday this week, with events from Thursday to Sunday.

What is the Platinum Jubilee schedule?

Thursday: The celebrations will kick off with Trooping the Colour, a military parade in honor of the queen’s official birthday. In the evening, more than 3,200 beacons will be ignited, reimagining and repurposing the torchlight relays once deployed in England to warn of possible invasion. Friday: The queen and royal family will attend a church service of thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral in London. Queen Victoria marked her Diamond Jubilee here in 1897 with a similar service. Saturday: The royal family will attend a horse race at Epsom Downs, south of London. The queen, though a keen rider and horse breeder, may miss the event to attend a birthday party for her great-granddaughter Lilibet, daughter of Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan. In the evening, a concert featuring Elton John, Diana Ross and Andrea Bocelli will take place at Buckingham Palace for an audience of 22,000 people. Sunday: More than 10 million people are expected to take part in “Big Jubilee Lunches” across the nation. The community-organized street parties and barbecues aim to foster neighborliness, and similar events will take place in Canada, Brazil, New Zealand and South Africa. The weekend will end with a People’s Pageant, involving the military and members of the public and led by the queen’s Gold State Coach, alongside a host of celebrities, including singer Ed Sheeran and soccer star David Beckham.

Will all the royal family attend the Platinum Jubilee celebrations?

Most will be in attendance to celebrate what could be the last major bash for Elizabeth. The queen, now a widow, will not have Prince Philip by her side, but there is expected to be a focus on Prince Charles and Prince William, nudging the royal spotlight toward her heirs. The royal family is expected to take to the balcony of Buckingham Palace for the conclusion of the parade. Buckingham Palace has indicated that only senior “working royals” will be present for that event, which suggests no Prince Andrew (who recently settled a sexual abuse lawsuit ), and perhaps no Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex (who gave up their royal responsibilities and moved to California ). Harry and Meghan, though, are expected to join the Friday church service and possibly other activities.

What is Trooping the Colour?

Thursday’s parade is an event has been a feature of British royal life for more than 260 years . More than 1,400 soldiers, many clad in iconic red uniforms and black bearskin hats, will march from Buckingham Palace. More than 200 horses and 400 musicians will also take part in the military fanfare to celebrate the monarch — the technical head of the British armed forces. “Colour” refers to a flag, the Regimental Colour, historically used as a rallying point in battle . This year, it is turn of the Irish Guards regiment to have their flag featured. Trooping the Colour ends with Royal Air Force planes zooming over the capital and is watched by the royal family from the balcony of Buckingham Palace.

Why does the queen have two birthdays?

The queen, like many British monarchs before her, has two birthdays. The first is the actual day she was born: April 21. The second is an official public birthday celebration, usually on the second Saturday of June, which this year will be wrapped into the jubilee celebrations. The quirky calendar custom has to do with Britain’s gloomy winter weather. In 1748, King George II, who was born in November, merged an annual summer military procession with his birthday celebration.

How are British people marking the Platinum Jubilee?

As well as having time off work, many people are expected to watch events together in pubs and at picnics and street parties. There have been essay-writing competitions, a jubilee book club reading list and a bake-off-style competition for an official Platinum Pudding: a lemon Swiss roll and amaretti trifle. Plenty of royal merchandise is on offer, including commemorative ornaments, mugs, socks, even a limited-edition Barbie doll . The palace has also revealed an official emoji of the queen’s beloved corgi dogs to celebrate. However, not everyone in Britain is in favor of the royal family, with small anti-monarchy protests expected while others opt out of taking part in the events. Ellen Francis contributed to this report.

Europe

What is Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee? Here’s your royal guide.

By Adela Suliman

Updated June 1, 2022 at 4:28 p.m. EDT|Published June 1, 2022 at 7:59 a.m. EDT

Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle in April. (Dominic Lipinski/Pool/AP)

LONDON — Britain is celebrating its longest-reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, in her Platinum Jubilee year.

The 96-year-old queen is being toasted across the nation with four days of events showcasing the best of British pomp and pageantry. Crowds in London will try to catch a glimpse of royal family members on the Buckingham Palace balcony, while others will attend concerts and street parties or simply enjoy the national holiday.

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Here’s everything you need to know about the celebrations.

Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee

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