Queen Elizabeth II will become the first British monarch to spend 70 years on the throne next year—and plans to celebrate her platinum jubilee have just been revealed.
Beacons will be lit in the capital cities of the 54 Commonwealth nations to honor the world's longest-reigning living sovereign.
For the celebrations in June, timed to coincide with the monarch's official birthday, more than 1,400 soldiers, 200 horses and 400 musicians will parade down the Mall, in London, alongside members of the royal family on horseback and in carriages.
There is currently no hint that the plans will have to be scaled down because of COVID-19, after the queen mourned alone during Prince Philip's pandemic-compliant funeral in April.
Brits have been given the green light to celebrate next summer—with a four day holiday weekend from Thursday, June 2, to Sunday, June 5.
Coronavirus allowing, street parties will likely take place during the public holiday, as seen at the diamond jubilee in 2012.
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: "In 2022, Her Majesty The Queen will become the first British Monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee, seventy years of service, having acceded to the throne on 6th February 1952 when Her Majesty was 25 years old.
"There will be year-long Platinum Jubilee celebrations throughout the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth and around the world as communities and people come together to celebrate The Queen's historic reign.
"Throughout the year, Her Majesty and Members of the Royal Family will travel around the country to undertake a variety of engagements to mark this historic occasion culminating with the focal point of the Platinum Jubilee Weekend in June—one year from today."
Elizabeth was never meant to be queen, having been born in April 1926 when her father was Duke of York.
However, her uncle Edward VIII abdicated the throne to marry American divorcee Wallis Simpson and her father became King George VI in 1936.
On her 21st birthday in April 1947, Elizabeth said: "I declare before you all that my whole life whether it be long or short shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong."
Now the British people will come together to mark that life of service, 70 years after her father died on February 6, 1952.
Trooping the Color, an annual parade to mark the monarch's official birthday, is expected to return to its former glory on June 2 next year, after being scaled back for the past two years because of the pandemic.
More than 1,400 soldiers, 200 horses and 400 musicians will take part and the royals themselves will be on full display in carriages, then on the Buckingham Palace balcony, where there will be a Royal Air Force flypast.
Beacons will be lit across Britain, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man and UK Overseas Territories, along with, for the first time, in the capital cities of every country in the Commonwealth, Buckingham Palace said.
The following day there will be a service of thanksgiving for the queen's reign at St Paul's Cathedral and on Saturday, June 4, Elizabeth will attend one of her favorite events—the Epsom Derby horse race.
The same day there will be a concert from Buckingham Palace, which a spokesperson said would "bring together some of the world's biggest entertainment stars to celebrate the most significant and joyous moments from the Queen's seven-decade reign."
The royal family will encourage communities to take up the celebrations on Sunday, June 5, with an event called the Big Jubilee Lunch.
A palace spokesperson said: "The Big Lunch will bring the Jubilee celebrations into the heart of every community.
"People are invited to share friendship, food and fun with neighbors as part of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
"A Big Jubilee Lunch can be big or small—street party or picnic, tea and cake or a garden barbecue."
The same day, 5,000 people will take part in a pageant, filling the streets around Buckingham Palace with street arts, theater, music and bright costumes.
There is also a competition to design the official emblem of the jubilee, organized by the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Design Museum and the Royal College of Art.
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About the writer
Jack Royston is Newsweek's Chief Royal Correspondent based in London, U.K. He reports on the British royal family—including King Charles ... Read more
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