Let the Platinum Jubilee begin! Queen to attend major events to mark 70 years on throne
7 February 2022, 12:28 | Updated: 7 February 2022, 17:58
The Queen is set to participate in a series of major events ahead of her Platinum Jubilee celebrations this summer.
On February 6, Her Majesty became the first British Monarch to mark 70 years on the throne, and to celebrate the occasion, a number events will take place ending in a four day UK bank holiday weekend in June.
The event line up will include a special service of thanksgiving for "the life of His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh", where senior royals will arrive at Westminster Abbey on March 29.
Other engagements that the Queen will attend include the Diplomatic Reception at Windsor Castle on March 2 and the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey on March 14.
Other official royal events include a nationwide baking competition to find a brand new pudding dedicated to The Queen and the Trooping the Colour parade where over 1,400 soldiers, 200 horses and 400 musicians will come together to mark The Queen's official birthday .
Gun Salute for Queen's Platinum Jubilee at Green Park
The UK’s long tradition of celebrating Royal Jubilees with the lighting of beacons will be continued with beacons to also be lit in each of the capital cities of the Commonwealth countries in celebration.
On the bank holiday Friday, a service of thanksgiving for the Queen’s reign will be staged at St Paul’s Cathedral whilst on Saturday June 4, the Queen and other royals willl fill the royal box for the Derby, held at Epsom Downs.
Later that day a star-studded concert will be staged from Buckingham Palace.
Celebrations have already begun with a massive 62-gun salute took place at the Tower of London, troops fired 41 from Green Park and 21 rounds at Edinburgh Castle.
In central London, horse-drawn artillery assembled into position before firing.
Read more: Camilla will become Queen: Her Majesty makes historic statement to mark Platinum Jubilee
The salutes follow a weekend where the Queen got her jubilee celebrations under way with cake and a public announcement of her wish that Prince Charles' wife Camilla be known as Queen Consort when he succeeds her to the throne.
The ceremony took place a day after February 6, Accession Day, when Princess Elizabeth became Queen Elizabeth II, as the anniversary fell on a Sunday.
Onlookers enjoyed the spectacle which forms part of the pageantry honouring the Queen's long reign.
On Sunday, the Queen said she hoped for Camilla to be crowned as a consort at Prince Charles' side when the time comes, paving the way for the duchess to be called Queen Camilla, despite royal aides suggesting at the time of her wedding in 2005 that she would be known instead as Princess Consort.
The Queen's message said: "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."
Gun Salute at Green Park for Queen's Jubilee
Prince Charles released a statement on Sunday morning, praising his mother on her 70 years of service as the royals released a new photo of the monarch beaming.
He said: "On this historic day, my wife and I join you all in congratulating Her Majesty The Queen on the remarkable achievement of serving this nation, the Realms and Commonwealth for 70 years.
"The Queen's devotion to the welfare of all her people inspires still greater admiration with each passing year.
"We are deeply conscious of the honour represented by my mother's wish. As we have sought together to serve and support Her Majesty and the people of our communities, my darling wife has been my own steadfast support throughout.
"The year of this unprecedented Platinum Jubilee brings an opportunity for us all to come together in celebrating the service of The Queen, by whose example we will continue to be led in the years to come."
Troops arrive at Green Park
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