Happy and Glorious: The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee 2022

Happy and Glorious: The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee 2022

It’s here at last – the Queen’s Jubilee takes centre stage this summer, and the best seat in the house has to be central London. There are two broad strands to these landmark celebrations: lots of parades and parties on the one hand, and an unmistakably green message on the other. Pomp, pageantry and fun are never far from any of the events. 

 

The set piece spectacle takes place over the long bank holiday of June 2nd to 4th, starting with a flamboyant Trooping of the Colour on June 2nd on Horse Guards Parade (flags, horses, massed bands and the Queen’s own Household Division in full regalia). The finale is the Platinum Jubilee Pageant on June 5th (a day of carnival parades and street performers around Buckingham Palace and the Westminster streets). 

 

The green theme includes the “Tree of Trees,” a giant leafy construction which sits outside the gates of Buckingham Palace throughout the bank holiday weekend. Designed by Thomas Heatherwick (his studio gave us the Olympic cauldron) it’s made of 350 native British saplings, arranged in tiers to form one huge (70 ft) tree–like edifice.  

 

After the Platinum Jubilee weekend, the saplings will be donated to groups and organisations across the UK. It’s part of the Queen’s Green Canopy initiative and the idea is to plant as many trees as possible in this Jubilee year. The tree planting season began in October 2021, but there’s still plenty of time for individuals and community groups to get involved with the Queen’s Green Canopy, helping to create a network of single trees, avenues, copses and even entire woodlands as a tribute to the monarch’s legacy of service… and as a green legacy all of its own.  

 

The eye–catching Superbloom at the Tower of London (June 1st to September 18th) also has an environmental and human message. This long term project sees the Tower’s vast moat transformed into a floral, multi–sensory experience: expect the normally clipped grass of the moat to be awash with wild flowers, and to provide soothing soundscapes. The aim is to maintain this huge area as a natural resource in the heart of the city beyond the Jubilee.  

 

The month of May also reveals the winners of the Platinum Pudding Competition (not yet announced at the time of writing). Organised by Fortnum & Mason, the idea was to invent a “coronation cake” to equal the “coronation chicken” recipe that dominated British cuisine in the 1950s. But if baking isn’t your thing, Fortnum’s also have some wonderful royal biscuits featuring a corgi, a swan, and a racehorse.  

(Fortnum & Mason Platinum Jubilee iced gingerbread biscuits)

 

If you’re a keen collector of royal memorabilia, then 2022 provides some entertaining gifts. Alongside the plates and coins there is now a Queen Elizabeth II Barbie doll, plus a rather handsome Pop! vinyl version of Her Majesty and faithful corgi (they make a stylish couple). LEGO have joined the fray with a smart guardsman, complete with red jacket and bearskin hat.  

(Pop! Vinyl version of Her Majsty and faitful corgi)

 

May is also the month when WI members finish knitting lots of cute corgis to hide around their local communities. Go find that corgi! Each one has a special digital tag which allows you to register where your knitted pooch was found. There’s even a special London corgi that gets you a rare invitation to the Big Jubilee Lunch.  

 

And if you think that Britain has gone corgi mad – you’re probably right. There’s even a pop–up Corgi Cafe in London on May 29th.  

 

Here is a list of activities in London to help you mark this once in a lifetime celebration. 

 

May 21st  

BBC 100: Queen Elizabeth, the Coronation 

BFI Southbank Centre 

BFI screening of the Queen’s Coronation. The original, ground-breaking BBC TV broadcast of a young, beautiful Queen at the start of her reign is re–edited and shown on the big screen at 11.45am. 

 

May 27th to January 2023 

Imperial War Museum 

A special display of photographs to mark the Platinum Jubilee, this time with the focus on the Queen and her wartime experience. After all, HRH trained as a mechanic during WWII, drove trucks and served in the Auxiliary Territorial Service in 1945. 

 

May 28th to June 5th 

Zoobilee 

ZSL Regent’s Park 

London Zoo offers a week of family-friendly events featuring a “wild” teddy bear’s picnic (bring your own cuddly toy), bug hunting, face painting, a DIY animal crown and other eco-friendly crafts. Book tickets. Under 3’s free. 

 

May 29th 
pop-up Corgi Cafe 

The Refinery, Southwark St, Bankside 

Just behind Tate Modern is London’s first Corgi Cafe, but for one day only! if you have a corgi, or if you just love ‘em, this is the place for you. One free pupuccino from the Pop + Bark Pupuccino Bar. Indoor and (weatherproof) outdoor venues for socialising, chill zone for sensitive dogs and humans. Rudi’s The Doggy Bakery provides pupcakes, plus food and cocktails for non-canines. Tickets going like proverbial hot cakes.  

 

May 31st to June 1st  

Hyde Park 

The Royal Parks have some Platinum Jubilee free activities on offer, designed to inspire youngsters to protect our green spaces. Plant seeds, make a ‘nature crown’ and design a park. Register first.  

 

June 1st to September 18th 

Superbloom at the Tower of London 

Superbloom is a Summer–long floral spectacle that will fill the moat surrounding the 11th century Tower of London with horticultural splendour. Book a session to walk through this field of flowers (plus sculptures and sound installations). If you’re really enthusiastic you can enter the space via a large, family friendly slide. Ticketed entrance, or remote viewing from Tower Gardens for free. Tower Suites’ boutique apartments would fit the bill for a memorable jubilee weekend.  

 

June 1st to 5th 

Jubilee at Southbank Centre 

From classical concerts to alt. folk dance and a family friendly party. Also Danny Boyle gives a talk on punk’s legacy. 

 

May 31st to June 1st   

Elizabeth I at London Charterhouse 

Charterhouse Square, Barbican 

This historic building in Farringdon dates back to 1371, and it’s providing an insight into the first Queen Elizabeth. Aimed at 5 to 11 year olds, a storyteller portrays Gloriana herself as she makes her way to her own coronation. Elizabeth I, did actually meet her Privy Council in the Charterhouse on that day. Children £10, adults free!  

 

June 1st  

Victoria and Albert Museum 

South Kensington 

A display of competition–winning designs that sum up the Platinum Jubilee. Also, until November, a look at fashion and “the art of menswear.”  

 

June 2nd to 3rd  

Mayfair Street Party 

Two days of food stalls (with Jubilee menus) along North Audley Street, plus live entertainment, bands, street performers, face painting and kids’ activities.  

 

June 2nd to July 31st  

Mary Gillick's Jubilee exhibition

British Museum  

Mary Gillick’s Jubilee exhibition at the British Museum. Gillick was born in 1881 and studied at the Royal College of Art. She was responsible for some of the most iconic images of Queen Elizabeth II, profiles that filled the pockets and purses of British shoppers for decades. Also until 17th July ‘The World of Stonehenge’ (hit show).  

 

Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Central Weekend  

June 2nd to 5th inclusive  

Trooping of the Colour 

June 2nd 

This is the first Trooping of the Colour since the pandemic and it marks the Queen’s official birthday. Why does she have an official birthday? Because the British like to celebrate their monarch’s big day (and the Trooping of the Colour) in the Summer. But as Her Majesty was born in the Spring, she is given a second, potentially sunnier day to mark both events. Ceremonial uniforms, 200 horses and a flypast by the RAF. The Trooping of the Colour begins at 10am. It’s a free spectacle so join the crowds in St James’s Park adjoining Horse Guards Parade, or along The Mall and outside Buckingham Palace. Guns are fired in Green Park and at the Tower London, and the RAF flypast is at 1pm.  

 

Platinum Jubilee Beacons 

June 2nd  

Lighting up time for the Jubilee Beacons throughout the UK and across Commonwealth nations. The principal beacon has its own special ceremony at Buckingham Palace.  

 

Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral 

June 3rd  

Commemorative service of Thanksgiving for the Queen’s reign.  

 

Epsom Derby 

June 3rd to 4th  

In this Platinum Jubilee year, Epsom Derby (flat race) seems extra special. June 3rd is known as Ladies Day. Equine drama on June 4th, Derby Day, when HRH and family will witness the “greatest show on turf.”  

 

Platinum Party at the Palace  

June 4th 

Pop/rock music live from the gardens of Buckingham Palace, staged and broadcast by the BBC. Tickets already allocated by ballot. Likely large public screens for the crowds in central London (TBC) 

 

Sunday June 5th 

The Platinum Jubilee Pageant 

Buckingham Palace and The Mall 

A massive jubilee parade around the palace and Westminster streets, including street art, theatre, music, circus/carnival performers. Plus a whole world of ceremonial pomp. This is a must–see, and if you want to spectate in style, then there are affordable luxury hotels, close to the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee events and as easy on the wallet as they are on the eye. In fact there are two Blue Orchid hotels near Buckingham Palace, the Wellington and the Rochester, both on leafy Vincent Square in Westminster. 

  

2022 

Tree of Trees 

Installation outside Buckingham Palace 

A royal tree planting initiative symbolised by a 21m high, leafy installation. If you want to apply to take part and plant a tree, click on the link below. The Woodland Trust is taking applications for November 2022 tree planting right now, so there is plenty of time to plan, whether for one tree or a copse.   

 

June 6th to 10th 

All the Queen’s Horses 

The Osborne Studio Gallery 

2 Motcomb St, London SW1 

Selling exhibition of 70 paintings by Jeremy Houghton, documenting the Queen’s longstanding love of horses, starting with her first pony, given to her at the age of four. Houghton has had many Royal residencies, including Windsor Castle.  

 

Ongoing 

Royal Time At The Tower  

Tower Suites opposite the Tower of London not only provides sweeping views of London’s iconic medieval fortress, it offers exclusive tours of the Tower of London and a private London street photography course. Affordable luxury in the shape of fully equipped boutique apartments.

Enjoy an overnight stay for two with room service breakfast, plus a three course dinner for two at Cento Alla Torre. History with a glamorous twist.