The UK had a four-day bank holiday weekend at the beginning of June, for Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee. It marked the Queen’s 70th year as monarch, and started on Thursday 2^nd June and finished on 5^th June, 2022.

As the Queen is the first British monarch to have a Platinum Jubilee, there were lots of events to celebrate her.

Thursday, 2^nd June:

Trooping the Colour

Official celebrations for the Platinum Jubilee started at 10 am on Thursday with Trooping the Colour, the Queen’s official birthday parade. This parade included an RAF fly-past watched by Queen Elizabeth II and members of the Royal Family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.

During the parade a Royal Gun Salute was fired. At 1pm, HAC Regiment fired an incredible 124-round gun salute from the Tower: 62 rounds to celebrate Her Majesty The Queen’s coronation; 62 rounds for Her Majesty’s official birthday.

Once the parade had ended the Royal Procession returned to Buckingham Palace where The Queen came out on the balcony to take a salute, accompanied by The Duke of Kent, Colonel of the Scots Guards.

Later, Her Majesty was joined by other members of the Royal Family to watch the flypast from 70 RAF aircraft. Prince Louis stole some of his great-grandmother’s thunder as celebrations began for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Waving to crowds and pulling funny faces, the four-year-old prince drew attention while standing on the Buckingham Palace balcony.

Lighting of the beacons.

This evening, over 3,000 beacons were lit across the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth to celebrate The Queen’s 70 years of service.

The Principal beacon, involving The Tree of Trees (a 21m high ‘tree’ constructed of 350 smaller trees), was lit in a special ceremony, with The Queen setting off a chain of light in Windsor and The Duke of Cambridge watching the Tree of Trees light up outside Buckingham Palace.

Friday 3 June:

Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral

A Service of Thanksgiving for The Queen’s reign was held at St Paul’s Cathedral.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex joined for their first royal event together since leaving the UK two years ago. Meanwhile, the Queen watched the service from Windsor Castle. Her decision to miss the service came after she experienced “discomfort” during Trooping the Colour.

It was later announced she would not attend the Epsom Derby on Saturday – and would instead watch the event on television.

Saturday 4 June:

Derby at Epsom Downs.

Members of the Royal Family attended the Derby at Epsom Downs. The Derby is one of English racing’s five Classics in addition to the Oaks, the 1,000 Guineas, the St Leger, and the 2,000 Guineas. The Derby is run over one mile, four furlongs and 10 yards on Epsom Downs.

Royal visits

Members of the Royal Family continued their Jubilee visits across the UK on Day Three of the celebrations. The Earl and Countess of Wessex were in Northern Ireland, whilst The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge took the whole family to Wales.

Platinum Party at the Palace

The celebration saw famous faces from the world of entertainment brought together to perform for a night of musical tributes to celebrate The Queen’s 70-year reign: the return of rock band Queen, Sir Elton John featured in a pre-recorded performance, while other stars include Diana Ross, Sor Rod Steward, Sam Rider, Alicia Keys, Nile Rodgers, Andrea Bocelli, Duran Duran, Hans Zimmer, Ella Eyre, Craig David, Mabel, Elbow, George Ezra and the UK’s recent Eurovision star Sam Ryder.

However, the Prince of Wales paid a heartfelt tribute to his “mummy”, the Queen, at the Platinum Party at the Palace that drew huge crowds.

“You laugh and cry with us and, most importantly, have been there for us, for these 70 years,” Charles said.

He added serving the public was what “gets my mother up in the morning” and thanked her on behalf of the world.

The Duke of Cambridge appeared during the Our Green Planet segment of the show opening by stating, “Good evening, everyone.  It’s so wonderful to be here with you on this incredible night. And great to see Buckingham Palace turned into an IMAX screen!”

After noting how “proud” he was of his father Prince Charles and late grandfather Prince Philip for their conservation work spanning decades, he turned his attention to his grandmother.

“While no one’s grandmother thanks them for talking about their age, my own grandmother has been alive for nearly a century,” he said.

He then added a shared quality between them: “But like her, I am an optimist.”

22,000 people attended the event including 10,000 allocated in a public ballot and 5,000 tickets for key workers.

Though The Queen did not attend in person, Her Majesty kicked off the party in style, joined by another national treasure, Paddington Bear.

Sunday 5 June:

Big Jubilee Lunch

Camilla Duchess of Cornwall, patron of the Big Lunch, joined Charles at a flagship feast at The Oval cricket ground in south London, while the Earl and Countess of Wessex also meet people creating the ‘Long Table’ down on The Long Walk leading up to Windsor Castle.

Following a nationwide competition, Jemma’s Lemon Swiss roll and amaretti trifle was chosen to be the official Platinum Jubilee Pudding so people could prepare it for the Platinum weekend.

The Platinum Pudding, Scotch eggs and fruit platters featured on a six-metre felt creation by artist Lucy Sparrow, which was viewed by Charles and Camilla at The Oval. The intricate creations will also be given pride of place in the Grand Entrance of Buckingham Palace later this year.

The Big Lunch at Windsor attempted to break the world record for the longest dinner table by assembling 488 tables on the Long Walk outside the famous royal residence.

Platinum Jubilee Pageant

A performance finishing in front of Buckingham Palace told the story of the Queen’s reign, featuring military personnel, dancers, puppets of corgis, and a performance by Ed Sheeran. As a surprise, the Queen made an appearance on the balcony of Buckingham Palace for the finale of the Platinum Jubilee People’s Pageant.

The Pageant brought to life iconic moments from The Queen’s reign as well as showcasing the changing society over the past 70 years.

National treasures and iconic figures from music, film, sport and the arts took part in the Pageant including much-loved celebrity names, alongside military personnel, key workers and volunteers.

Ed Sheeran performed his ballad “Perfect” at a Jubilee Pageant in a special tribute to the Queen and her late husband.

At the finale of the carnival procession through the streets of London on Sunday, Sheeran performed the song as images of the Queen and Prince Philip adorned the giant screens around the stage.

The Gold State Carriage

The Gold State Carriage, led by The Sovereign’s Escort, led the Platinum Jubilee Pageant, embracing the latest in digital technology to evoke the excitement and majesty of her journey to be crowned 70 years ago.

Whilst The Queen didn’t personally travel in the regal Gold State Carriage, there was a fabulous surprise. Original film footage recorded on Coronation Day was used to recreate the magic of that extraordinary occasion.

sources (articles): Guide to the Platinum Jubliee, royal.uk; The Telegraph; What’s happening on the bank holiday weekend?, BBC; Platinum Jubilee: Prince Charles and Prince William to pay tribute to Queen at Jubilee concert, Sky News; Platinum Jubilee concert: Mummy laughs and cries with us all, says Prince Charles, BBC News; Prince William Jokes About the Queen’s Age in Heartwarming Speech at Platinum Jubilee Concert, People; Charles, Camilla and Earl and Countess of Wessex set to lead the nation’s Big Jubilee Lunch to celebrate Queen’s seven-decade reign with a record-breaking 12 million parties expected across Britain, Daily Mail

sources (video and pictures): Queen’s SHOCKING appearance surprises fans at Jubilee, Sunrise, Youtube; What’s happening on the bank holiday weekend? How the first day with the Queen and Royal Family unfolded, SkyNews, Youtube; Queen steals the show at Platinum Jubilee concert with Paddington Bear, 9 News Australia, Youtube; Charles and Camilla Enjoy Tea and Cake at Big Jubilee Lunch, The Royal Family Channel, Youtube

As we mark this anniversary, it gives me pleasure to renew to you the pledge I gave in 1947 that my life will always be devoted to your service.

As I look ahead with a sense of hope and optimism to the year of my Platinum Jubilee, I am reminded of how much we can be thankful for.  These last seven decades have seen extraordinary progress socially, technologically and culturally that have benefitted us all; and I am confident that the future will offer similar opportunities to us and especially to the younger generations in the United Kingdom and throughout the Commonwealth.

I am fortunate to have had the steadfast and loving support of my family.

I was blessed that in Prince Philip I had a partner willing to carry out the role of consort and unselfishly make the sacrifices that go with it.  It is a role I saw my own mother perform during my father’s reign.

This anniversary also affords me a time to reflect on the goodwill shown to me by people of all nationalities, faiths and ages in this country and around the world over these years.  I would like to express my thanks to you all for your support.  I remain eternally grateful for, and humbled by, the loyalty and affection that you continue to give me.  And when, in the fullness of time, my son Charles becomes King, I know you will give him and his wife Camilla the same support that you have given me; and it is my sincere wish that, when that time comes, Camilla will be known as Queen Consort as she continues her own loyal service.

And so as I look forward to continuing to serve you with all my heart, I hope this Jubilee will bring together families and friends, neighbours and communities – after some difficult times for so many of us – in order to enjoy the celebrations and to reflect on the positive developments in our day-to-day lives that have so happily coincided with my reign.”

issued on 5th February, 2022.

source: The Queen’s message, royal.uk 

On the eve of Accession Day, she hosted a reception for members of the local community and volunteer groups at Sandringham House. Her Majesty was joined by the Sandringham branch of the Women’s Institute, Sandringham Estate pensioners and their families, and representatives from local charities Little Discoverers and West Norfolk Befriending.

Amongst the guests hosted by The Queen was former cookery student, Mrs Angela Wood, who helped create the original recipe for Coronation chicken in 1953!

Poulet Reine Elizabeth, or chicken Queen Elizabeth, as it was originally known was first served to 350 foreign dignitaries during her coronation banquet and has gone on to become a national salad and sandwich-filler staple.

The two women spoke at a reception held in the ballroom of Sandringham House where members of the local community gathered to celebrate the Queen’s 70 years on the throne with a cake.

As it was explained the decorated Jubilee cake was placed upside down to her for the press cameras, the monarch sparked laughter when she said: “Oh they can see it. I don’t mind. I don’t matter.”

During the reception the Queen also met representatives from West Norfolk Befriending, a charity which aims to reduce the social isolation experienced by the elderly by matching them with trained volunteer befrienders who visit on a regular basis.

And she spoke to members of Little Discoverers which provides early education for pre-school children with movement difficulties and delayed development.

The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee will be celebrated across the country during an extended June Bank Holiday.

But 6 February, the date of the Queen’s accession to the throne, is a poignant period for the monarch, as it is the day her father King George VI died at Sandringham in 1952, heralding the start of her now record-breaking reign.

It will also be the Queen’s first jubilee without Prince Philip, who died 10 months ago at the age of 99.

The Duke of Edinburgh also spent much of his retirement on the royal estate, living at Wood Farm, a farmhouse in Wolferton nestled in the far reaches of country retreat, enjoying the sanctuary and privacy it offered.

As well as being the nation’s longest reigning monarch, the Queen is also the longest still-serving sovereign in the world.

sources (article; video): Sky News; Queen hosts reception at Sandringham on eve of Accession Day, The Royal Family Channel, youtube

Great British Bake –Off fans, rise up: Buckingham Palace recently announced a brand-new baking competition in honor of Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee — a celebration of Her Royal Majesty’s 70-year reign. The challenge? Come up with a pudding recipe that could become Britain’s new dessert staple.

By February 4, kids and adults across Great Britain can enter their best dessert recipes. A panel of eight pros — including Dame Mary Berry from GBBO and the head chef at Buckingham Palace, Mark Flanagan — will review the ideas and choose a final five to invite for a final competition in March. The winning pudding, to be dubbed “Platinum Pudding,” will be served to thousands at Big Jubilee Lunch street parties throughout Britain on a four-day holiday weekend in June 2022.

While any baker in Britain can enter, the judges provide some important guidelines to ensure a recipe fit for royalty. First and foremost, the pudding — which can be virtually any dessert — should be delicious. Judges also encourage bakers to submit recipes that can be duplicated by home bakers with ingredients and equipment readily available to anyone. And to encourage passion and pride, it’s also encouraged to share a recipe with a story behind it. (Bonus points if your recipe is inspired by the Queen herself.)

If you’re stateside and want to get in on the fun, it’s rumored that the Queen particularly enjoys “honey and cream sponge, ginger cake, and a chocolate biscuit cake that is so lovely, Prince William also had it served at his wedding to Kate Middleton.”

sources (article; video): the kitchn;  Everything you need to know about the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, Sky News, Youtube

A videó megnézése után keresd meg az állításokban a hibás információt. 

1. The contest is open to the professionals and will select a dish worthy of making the Queen’s special year.
2. The winner dish can be a dessert, a pudding, a pie or crumble cake but it should be savoury.
3. On the 2^nd June a special Trooping the Colour will kick off a three-day bank holiday weekend.
4. On the 3rd June, beacons will be lit in certain places around the UK and the world at the same time as at Buckingham Palace.
5. The next day Saint Paul’s Cathedral will hold a service of thanksgiving. On Saturday the 4^th June the palace will hold a celeb-packed dinner, tickets for which will be available for UK residents to apply for.
6. On Sunday, the 5th June, there’s the Big Jubilee Lunch where UK residents are encouraged to come together and break some wine to mark the final day of the long weekend.
7. School children have been asked to get involved by creating a picture of how they would like the planet to look in 17 years.
8. In July a trio of exhibitions will take place at the royal residences in Windsor, Buckingham Palace and Holyrood House. These exhibitions will show off some of Queen Elizabeth’s dresses worn during her previous foreign visits as well as items from her private jewellery.

keys/megoldások:
1. The contest is open to the public
2. … but it should be sweet rather than savoury
3. a four-day bank holiday weekend
4. on the 2nd June, on the same day
5. celeb-packed party
6. to break some bread (to have a meal/eat)
7. 70 years, not 17 years
8. dresses worn at previous jubilees