Grateful nation celebrates 70 years of service
It is a milestone like no other, as on February 6 this year Queen Elizabeth II became the first British Monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee.
To mark this unprecedented anniversary, events and initiatives have taken place throughout the year and will culminate in a four-day UK Bank Holiday celebration weekend from Thursday June 2 to Sunday June 5.
The special extended bank holiday weekend will provide an opportunity for communities and people throughout the United Kingdom to come together to celebrate the historic milestone.
The four days of celebrations will include public events and community activities, as well as national moments of reflection on The Queen’s 70 years of service.
The Queen’s Birthday Parade (Trooping the Colour): There will be more than 1,400 parading soldiers, 200 horses and 400 musicians who will come together in the traditional Parade to mark The Queen’s official birthday, usually held on the second Saturday in June.
Beginning at Buckingham Palace, the Parade will move down The Mall to Horse Guard’s Parade, joined by Members of the Royal Family on horseback and in carriages. The Parade will close with the traditional RAF fly-past, watched by The Queen and Members of the Royal Family from the Buckingham Palace balcony.
Service of Thanksgiving: A Service of Thanksgiving for The Queen’s reign will be held at St Paul’s Cathedral on Friday, June 3.
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.
There are 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.
Find out more by visiting www.queensjubileebeacons. com website.