How is Queen Elizabeth celebrating 70 years of rule?
Queen Elizabeth II will be celebrating a new record on February 6, 2022. A record that is new for both the Queen and Britain, is that of the Queen completing 70 years on the British royal throne. As she becomes the longest ruling British monarch EVER, Britain is gearing for a massive celebration to mark this milestone.
WHAT IS BRITAIN CELEBRATING
On February 6, 2022, Queen Elizabeth II will become the first British monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee. The last monarch who came close to this record was Queen Victoria, who ruled for 63 years and was the longest reigning monarch; but that was till Queen Elizabeth II made it to September 9, 2015. Queen Victoria was the great great grandmother of Queen Elizabeth II; so it looks like living and ruling for long number of years runs in the family's genes.
Elizabeth II succeeded to the throne on February 6, 1952 when her father, King George VI died. Elizabeth was in Kenya at that time and became the first monarch in over 200 years to accede while abroad. While she ascended the throne in February, she was officially coronated on June 2, 1953, at the age of 27.
THE QUEEN'S 2 BIRTHDAYS
The Queen's actual birthday is on April 21, and every year, she celebrates this day privately, although there is a series of gun salutes to mark this day. A 41-gun salute in Hyde Park, a 21-gun salute in Windsor Great Park and a 62-gun salute at the Tower of London are reserved to celebrate the Queen's actual birthday.
So, what's the deal about the second birthday?
King George II started a tradition during his reign where the King wanted to have a big, public celebration on his birthday. But since his actual birthday fell in late autumn, the weather wasn't suitable for such kind of celebrations. So, the king decided to celebrate his birthday on the second Thursday of June and this was combined with another tradition called "Trooping the Colour" parade, that was a military affair celebrated in summer.
The Queen continued the tradition and picked the same date, the second thursday of June, to celebrate her official birthday as it was also her father King George VI's birthday. But the Queen changed the dates 7 years after ascending the throne, and her Golden and Diamond Jubilees were celebrated in the first week of June. This official birthday is celebrated mainly with the tradition of Trooping the Colour.
WHY IT'S A BIG DEAL
Though this this jubilee year will be a new record for the Queen, it will also be her first without her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh Prince Philip, who died in April 2021. In her Christmas Day message in 2021, the Queen mentioned about her beloved Duke and how she was gearing for Christmas without him and her birthday celebrations starting in February.
HOW WILL PEOPLE CELEBRATE THE OCCASION?
The palace has announced a royal line up of activities to celebrate the Queen's birthday, starting from January to July 2022. The main event however will be from June 2-June 5.
The Royal Mint has already launched 2 special coins - a 50 pence coin and a 5 Euro coin in honour of The Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
1. January 10, 2022 - The public will be invited to participate in the 'Platinum Pudding Competition' to create a new pudding to celebrate the Queen's reign. The winning recipe will be made available to the public and the pudding will be enjoyed at the Big Jubilee Lunches during the main event in June. The Pudding Competition will be judged by an expert panel including Dame Mary Berry and MasterChef's Monica Galetti, and winners will be announced.
2. May 12-15, 2022- There will be a 90-minute show at Windsor Castle to take the public on a history tour reign starting from Elizabeth I to the present-day Queen.
3. The Main Event: June 2-5, 2022
Day 1: June 2
The birthday parade along with Trooping the Colour will be held with 1,400 parading soldiers, 200 horses and 400 musicians. Also, the capital cities of Commonwealth countries will be lighting beacons for the first time.
Day 2: June 3
A Thanksgiving Service for the Queen's reign will be held at St Paul's Cathedral.
Day 3: June 4
A Platinum party will be held at Buckingham Palace, where members of the public will be invited to apply to attend a live concert.
Day 4: June 5
People across the country will sit down together to participate in the Big Jubilee Lunch. Street parties will be held across the UK, and the Platinum Jubilee Pageant will feature 5,000 people from the UK and the Commonwealth performing around the area of Buckingham Palace. The performances would celebrate street arts, theatre, music, circus, with cutting-edge visual technology.
4. JULY 2022
There will be displays of the three most glorious events of the Queen's life: the Queen's accession to the throne, the coronation, and the Jubilees at Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse. This display would include portraits, jewellery and outfits worn for each occasion.
The public loves the royals and their looks, and the number of fans that follow them is an evidence to this reality. Last Halloween, for example, a 2-year-old baby was dressed like The Queen and the Queen loved it.
HOW DID THEY CELEBRATE ALL THESE YEARS?
Here's a glimpse of their previous jubilee celebrations when Prince Philip was by her side.
1977: Silver Jubilee
2002: Golden Jubilee
The gardens of Buckingham Palace were used to stage a public concert for the first time and the Party at the Palace concert, which featured performances by Queen, Elton John and Shirley Bassey attracted 200 million viewers worldwide.
2012: Diamond Jubilee
The celebrations lasted a fortnight with a garden party at Buckingham Palace and a state banquet that were held to mark the occasion.
2017: Sapphire Jubilee Celebrations
Looks like this will be a grander celebration!