The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Celebrations 2022 & Events Across the UK
As The Queen marks 70 years on the throne this year, Platinum Jubilee celebrations are being planned, or are already underway, up and down the country, and around the world.
This year, to celebrate The Queen’s momentous milestone, 70 years on the throne, events and initiatives will take place throughout the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth, and around the world, culminating in a four-day bank holiday weekend in the UK from Thursday 2 – Sunday 5 June.
Read more about the Queen’s accession, here.
Here at Discover Britain, we couldn’t let such an important royal milestone go by without a fanfare so we will be sending a special card filled with messages for you, our readers, to Her Majesty in time for her Platinum Jubilee celebrations from 2-5 June. You can sign our online card for the Queen, here.
Below is our breakdown of official events, and others happening across the country throughout the year and over the bank holiday weekend!
Get Involved!
Several ongoing initiatives have already been launched to celebrate The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, in the run up to events in June, and these are open for anyone to take part in.
The Queen’s Green Canopy
This initiative is encouraging people all over the country to ‘plant a tree for the Jubilee.’ At the beginning of 2022, 60,000 trees had already been planted in the UK in the two months since the planting season began. The initiative will generate the planting of large trees, tree avenues, urban planting and new expansive forests that will leave a lasting legacy for future generations. The project is also working to protect 70 ancient trees and woodlands across the country, and a special training programme has been launched to teach unemployed young people new skills in tree planting and management.
Find out how you can get involved with The Queen’s Green Canopy here.
Platinum Pudding Competition
In collaboration with Fortnum and Mason and The Big Jubilee Lunch, Dame Mary Berry, Monica Galetti and Buckingham Palace head chef Mark Flanagan are on the hunt to find a brand-new pudding dedicated to the Queen to mark this special anniversary.
UK applicants aged eight and were invited to enter their recipe and the five finalists will then prepare their pudding in front of this expert judging panel. The winning recipe will be made available to the public and will be enjoyed as part of the Big Jubilee Lunch, as well as by many generations to come. Read more here.
Platinum Jubilee Bank Holiday Weekend Events Thursday 2 – Sunday 5 June
There’s a lot to look forward to over the official Jubilee weekend!
Thursday 2 June
The Queen’s Birthday Parade
Events in London will kick off with The Queen’s Birthday Parade, otherwise known as the Trooping of the Colour. Marking the Queen’s official birthday, which is usually held on the second Saturday in June.
During the event, 1400 parading soldiers, 200 horses and 400 musicians will begin at Buckingham Palace and move down The Mall to Horseguard’s Parade, accompanied by members of the Royal Family on horseback and in carriages. As is tradition, the parade will close with an RAF fly-past. T
Apply for tickets for The Queen’s Birthday Parade here.
Platinum Jubilee Beacons
Thursday 2 June will also see the lighting of the Platinum Jubilee Beacons, a long tradition used to mark royal celebrations. More than 1500 beacons will be lit throughout the UK, Channel Islands, the Isle and Man and UK Overseas Territories, and for the first time, beacons will be lit in each of the Commonwealth countries. A special ceremony will be held to light the Principal beacon at Buckingham Palace.
Friday 3 June
On Friday 3 June there will be a special Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral, attended by members of the Royal Family.
Saturday 4 June
Derby at Epsom Downs
This day will see the Queen attend the Derby at Epsom Downs, accompanied by members of the Royal Family.
Platinum Party at the Palace
In the evening of Saturday 4 June, the BBC will stage and broadcast a live concert from Buckingham Palace. Though performers have yet to be named, this is set to be a spectacle to rival that held for the Diamond Jubilee, bringing together some of the world’s biggest stars in entertainment from the Queen’s 70-year reign.
Sunday 5 June
The Big Jubilee Lunch
As is tradition with royal celebrations, Sunday 5 June will see street parties up and down the country as communities are encouraged to get together to mark the occasion. Over 1400 people have registered to host Big Lunches so far. You can register your own, find one near you, or get tips for hosting here.
Platinum Jubilee Pageant
In London on 5 June, the official Platinum Jubilee Pageant will take place, with artistic performers, dancers, musicians, military personnel, key workers and volunteers uniting to tell the story of the Queen’s 70-year reign, drawing on talent from every part of the United Kingdom and across the Commonwealth. The Mall will also be transformed into a ‘River of Hope’, comprising two hundred silk flags designed by school children and showing their hopes and aspirations for the planet over the next 70 years.
Other Platinum Jubilee events around the country to look forward to…
Blenheim Palace – Blenheim Palace Food Festival
Blenheim Palace is hosting a fantastic Bank Holiday weekend of events to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Now in its eighth year the Blenheim Palace Food Festival returns with a special jubilee theme. Running from 2nd-5th June it’s a festival this year’s event features chef royalty in the shape of Raymond Blanc OBE, alongside Italian legend Gennaro Contaldo and Great British Bake Off’s Karen Wright.
For more information and to book tickets online for the Blenheim Palace Food Festival visit www.blenheimpalace.com
Windsor – Platinum Jubilee Celebration
From 12-15 May the arena normally used by the Royal Windsor Horse Show staged the Platinum Jubilee Celebration. Over 500 horses and 1,000 performers took the audience on a ‘gallop’ through history from Elizabeth I to the present day.
The Queen’s Private Estates
Sandringham
Local residents and visitors will be able to enjoy the bank holiday weekend celebrations at Sandringham. On Friday 3 June there will be a live outdoor music concert with performances from Katherine Jenkins and The Military Wives. On Saturday 4 June there will also be a live showing of the ‘Platinum Party at the Palace’ on a big screen at the Royal Parkland.
Book tickets for the Jubilee weekend at Sandringham here.
Balmoral
Balmoral has announced it will reopen its doors this summer from 1 April to 2 August, to offer visitors the chance to visit the historic castle in this most momentous of years.
Further details of celebrations are yet to be announced, but you can buy tickets for their Jubilee weekend afternoon tea here.
The Royal Collection Trust
Other events later in the year include three special displays by The Royal Collection Trust at the official royal residences from July 2022.
This will include an exhibition of portraits of The Queen, as well as jewellery from her personal collection (including the world-famous Diamond Diadem, pictured above) at Buckingham Palace, a display of her Coronation Dress and Robe of Estate at Windsor Castle, and the Palace of Holyroodhouse will show a selection of outfits worn by Her Majesty on different occasions to celebrate the Silver, Golden and Diamond Jubilees. Read more here.
London
Tours
In the capital, Britain’s prestigious Blue Badge Tourist Guides have been preparing special tours of the city to mark this momentous anniversary. Antony Robbins’ Platinum Jubilee Tour visits some of the city’s most famous royal landmarks, as well as locations featured in Netflix’s The Crown, while little ones can be ‘King & Queen For The Day’ on a two-hour tour led by Gavin Skerritt, as they learn about royal traditions such as the Changing of the Guard.
Royal Lancaster Hotel
The Royal Lancaster Hotel are running a very special Platinum Jubilee Afternoon Tea to celebrate Her Majesty’s remarkable achievement. The Afternoon Tea will be available from 18 May – 5 June only and will be the perfect way to celebrate the occasion in true royal style, sampling some delectable sweet treats and sipping a crisp glass of Laurent Perrier champagne. Book your slot here.
Sotheby’s and Chatsworth Estate
In celebration of Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee, world-famous auction house Sotheby’s are partnering with Chatsworth, ancestral home of the Devonshire Family, to offer a seasonal, best of British celebratory menu at their Bond Street restaurant. The restaurant will serve produce from the Chatsworth estate, including Chatsworth-reared lamb, Chatsworth gin cocktails and locally-sourced ingredients from across the Derbyshire Dales.
Myles Fensom, Sotheby’s Head Chef said, ”At the Sotheby’s Restaurant, what we have done with this special celebratory menu is take the best of British produce, give it a little nudge and a little bit of love, in order to create dishes that capture the spirit of Chatsworth, Sotheby’s and the Jubilee.”
The special menu will be available from 28 May – 15 July. Book your table here.
Sotheby’s are also hosting a range of over exciting events as part of their Platinum Jubilee celebrations, including a Jubilee Arts Festival. Read more here.
Great Scotland Yard Hotel
London’s Great Scotland Yard Hotel is launching a Platinum Jubilee Afternoon Tea this summer, in partnership with the iconic British perfumery, Floris London, the only appointed perfumer to Her Majesty The Queen, to celebrate this remarkable royal occasion.
The multi-sensory afternoon tea experience has been inspired by the notes of Floris’ Platinum 22 Eau De Parfum, which itself takes inspiration from the flora of Her Majesty’s beautiful gardens, which surround her UK residences.
Book your table here.
Warwickshire
Visit Warwickshire has created a new guide, In The Footsteps of Royalty, with plenty of ideas for where to eat, drink, stay and visit on a royal-themed trip to a county boasting over 1000 years of royal history.
Find out more about Warwickshire and its royal history here.
Bristol
Bristol will be the place to be over the Bank Holiday weekend, with a variety of royally-good events to get you in the Jubilee spirit.
Jubilee Afternoon Tea Party, Berwick Lodge, 3 June
Celebrate all things British at Berwick Lodge over the Platinum Jubilee weekend. Enjoy a traditional afternoon tea party alongside lawn games, garden tours, and of course, plenty of Pimms. Book here.
Clifton Platinum Fest, 3 June
A rock-n-roll celebration of Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee, Clifton’s Mall will be filled with food and live music from DJs and bands such as The Firebirds, to mark this momentous occasion in style. Read more here.
Big Jubilee Lunch on College Green, 5 June
Join the cathedral celebrations of the Platinum Jubilee on Sunday 5 with food, live music from local performers and family-friendly activities. Read more here.
Queen’s Jubilee Sunday lunch at Thornbury Castle, 5 June
What better way to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee than with a very British Sunday lunch at a real Tudor castle. With musical accompaniment from a harpist, the castle will serve up ingredient’s from their own kitchen garden, alongside delicious sparkling wine. Book your table here.
Bath
The historic city of Bath has plenty on offer for this year’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
Purple Reign – Lighting up the City, Thursday 2 June
Bath’s most iconic buildings, including The Guildhall, The Roman Baths and Bath Abbey, which will be a-glow with royal purple as the sun sets. (This is a free event).
Jubilee Royal Garden Party, The Royal Crescent Hotel and Spa, Thursday 2 June
Celebrate the Jubilee in the glorious gardens of Bath’s beautiful Royal Crescent Hotel and Spa where guests can enjoy afternoon tea, lawn games, live music and much more. Book your ticket here.
The Royal Crescent Hotel also has a special Jubilee package for guests wishing to stay over the bank holiday weekend. The package includes a six-course tasting menu and champagne afternoon tea as part of your stay. Find out more here.
Platinum Jubilee Afternoon Tea at the Henrietta Bar, The Roseate Villa, Saturday 4 June
The bakers at The Roseate Villa have handcrafted a special Afternoon Tea inspired by Her Majesty The Queen, including three Platinum Jubilee cocktails and a special sugar spun crown. The event will be accompanied by music from duo The Aislemen who will be playing best of British classics whilst you enjoy your afternoon tea in the tranquil Henrietta Garden. Book your ticket here.
The Big Jubilee Picnic, Royal Crescent Lower Lawn, Sunday 5 June
Celebrate the Platinum Jubilee in one of Bath’s most beautiful parks, as the Royal Crescent Lower Lawn is transformed into one big Jubilee party! This free event will include children’s activities such as face painting and arts and crafts. Read more here.
Lucknam Park Hotel and Spa Jubilee Package, 2 – 5 June 2022
Lucknam Park Hotel and Spa are pulling out all the stops for their Platinum Jubilee celebrations, including an array of traditional countryside pursuits around their 500-acre estate. Guests will be able to enjoy horse riding, horse and carriage rides, as well as archery and arts and crafts workshops. A royal afternoon tea will be served in the afternoon, and the celebrations will continue into the evening with a special seven-course supper served in its Michelin Star restaurant.
Book your place here.
You can read about Bath’s Platinum Jubilee offerings in full here.
Scotland
Glenapp Castle
The beautiful Glenapp Castle in Ayreshire will be hosting a special Platinum Jubilee afternoon tea throughout the month of June to celebrate Her Majesty’s 70 years on the throne. Guests will be treated to some royal-themed treats, including a tonka bean macaron topped with a royal crown, a Scottish blackberry & lavender mousse with an olive oil Sponge and almond sable, a blackcurrant choux bun with Hendricks Gin jelly & Parma Violet cremeaux and a jewel encrusted passionfruit, milk chocolate & vanilla delice. Plus, if your name is Elizabeth, you’ll be treated to a free glass of champagne!
The afternoon tea will be available in the hotel’s new Azalea Glasshouse & Bothy Restaurant opening in May 2022. Find out more here.
Platinum Jubilee Souvenirs
Here at Discover Britain, we couldn’t let such an important royal occasion go by without an appropriate fanfare, so we are offering you the chance to purchase your own Limited Edition Platinum Jubilee mug, designed by Susan Rose China.
There are three different sizes and designs on offer, each hand-drawn and each inspired by the life and service of Her Majesty The Queen.
Buy your Platinum Jubilee mug here.
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