The Queen's Platinum Jubilee
Queen Elizabeth II Celebrates Her Platinum Jubilee
Honoring the Queen's Dedication to Service
On February 6th this year, Queen Elizabeth, the United Kingdom’s longest-reigning monarch, also became the first British monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee after 70 years on the throne.
On her 21st birthday, she gave a speech to the nation on the radio dedicating her life to the service of the commonwealth stating, “I declare before you all that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service.”
Seven decades have passed since Elizabeth ascended the throne at the age of 25 following the death of her father, King George VI. During her tenure, Queen Elizabeth has advised 13 Prime Ministers, met 13 out of 14 U.S. Presidents, traveled the globe, and weathered many national and international crises. She is respected and loved for her sense of duty and her devotion to a life of service.
The Celebration
Today, London is buzzing with excitement and getting ready for an unforgettable celebration to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. Throughout the UK from Thursday, June 2nd to Sunday, June 5th, people will be taking to the streets to celebrate. Jubilees are jolly affairs that are celebrated with pomp and circumstance, bunting, street parties, souvenirs, warm beer, and plenty of cake!
The UK has a long history of organizing street parties to celebrate national events, where people drag out their kitchen tables and line them up end to end all the way down the street. They bring out food and drinks and celebrate with their neighbors with dancing, singing, and general merriment! I remember my mum telling me about the street parties she attended in London during King George’s coronation and again when Queen Elizabeth was coronated.
If you’re in the I’On neighborhood on Friday, June 3rd or Saturday, June 4th, stop by our boutique and join us for our own version of a Jubilee street party to celebrate the Queen!
In the morning, we will be serving tea and scones, and in the afternoon, we will serve Pimm’s and cookies. We are decorating with British flags, bunting, and more, plus select British merchandise will be 25% off for June 3rd and 4th. And, of course, the guest of honor will be stopping by for photo ops, so make sure you pop by for a selfie with the Queen!
We won’t see the likes of another Platinum Jubilee in our lifetime, so come help us celebrate and do the Queen proud! If you're not local, you can still shop the sale online!
Schedule of Events in London
Thursday, June 2nd: Start with the annual Trooping the Colour, the Queen’s official birthday parade, which ends with the RAF doing a fly-over watched by the Queen and royal family members from the balcony of Buckingham Palace. It will also be the day that 1,500 beacons will be lit in the UK as well as the capital cities of the Commonwealth.
Friday, June 3rd: Service of Thanksgiving at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London.
Saturday, June 4th: Members of the royal family will attend the Derby horse races at Epsome and then end the day with the Platinum Party at the Palace, which will feature performances from Sir Rod Stewart, Diana Ross, Queen, Duran Duran, Sam Ryder, and Andrea Bocelli, plus a recorded performance from Sir Elton John.
Sunday, June 5th: The celebrations finish with the Platinum Jubilee Pageant, looking back on the Queen’s 70 years on the throne and featuring performers telling the story of the her reign plus a performance by Ed Sheeran.