‘We will make it a lifetime highlight, a great spectacle’
THE officer in charge of planning military ceremonies for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations last night revealed he is treating the task like an “overseas deployment”, adding: “We will make it a great spectacle.”
Lt Col James Shaw, of the Grenadier Guards, is a combat-hardened veteran of two tours in Afghanistan and one in Iraq.
The 42-year-old, from Surrey, was selected to become Brigade Major of the Household Division in May last year.
Not only do his duties include ensuring all the planned ceremonies go like clockwork but he will also play a prominent role in the Queen’s Birthday Parade – leading the procession accompanied by his retinue of four troopers of the Household Cavalry.
“It’s a huge honour for all of us from the Armed orces to be involved to mark the 70th anniversary of the Queen’s accession,” said Lt Col Shaw, below.
“We have all had fun and varied careers but for those of us who are closely involved in the detailed planning, this truly is a career highlight.
“If I don’t muck it up, it will be my lifetime highlight as well.”
A series of military events is planned throughout the year, beginning at noon tomorrow with a gun salute from Green Park followed immediately by one on the banks of thethames near thetower of London to mark the 70th anniversary of the Queen’s accession.
But the biggest event will be the Queen’s Birthday Parade – also known astrooping the Colour – on June 2, involving 1,400 troops, hundreds of horses, musicians from the Massed Bands of the Household Division and Corps of Drums, an RAF flypast and a Royal Navy contingent.
“Preparation has now started in detail – we’re meeting many times a week and going through all the details as we build up to the Jubilee weekend,” said Lt Col Shaw.
“From mid-may we will be conducting full dress rehearsals of the Queen’s Birthday parade on a weekly basis.”
He added: “I spent the last few years doing operation work with my regiment and this included operational planning.
“Putting together the Platinum Jubilee is no different to planning an overseas deployment. I look at it like putting together a five or six-week operation – 1,500 soldiers, a number of rehearsals, a lot of complexity.”
With the axing of social distancing rules and events returning in full glory to Horse Guards inwhitehall after two years atwindsor, the reduction of Covid restrictions has seen public interest rocket. More than 90,000 applications for tickets were received to attend the Queen’s Birthday Parade, which can only accommodate 6,500 people.
“With Covid, we were in a position where every person has gone through the same thing – the last time that happened was the Secondworldwar.
“We’re hopefully coming to the end, and we all need a reason to celebrate. This Platinum Jubilee will give us an opportunity to come together.”
Along withtrooping the Colour on June 2, beacons will be lit across the UK and Commonwealth.the following day a thanksgiving service will be held at St Paul’s, and June 4 will see the BBC’S Platinum Party at the Palace, featuring some of the world’s biggest entertainers, live from Buckingham Palace.
The Big Jubilee Lunch will take place on June 5, with lunches across the country. There will also be a pageant designed to tell the story of the Queen’s reign, in the
streets of London.