BRITS are set to enjoy a HUGE Bank Holiday weekend next month as celebrations for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee get underway.
Her Majesty, 96, will treat the public to the four day break from June 2 until June 5, marking 70 years on the throne.
From parties to pageants, here’s everything you can expect during the long weekend.
THURSDAY JUNE 2
Celebrations will start with a bang on Thursday, June 2, as the Queen’s Birthday Parade (Trooping the Colour) is held.
The event will start at 10am, complete with a display of military pageantry on Horse Guards Parade.
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Once the parade has ended, the Royal Family will take to the Buckingham Palace balcony, where they will wave at crowds and watch the flypast.
But after “careful consideration”, the appearance will be limited to “those Members of the Royal Family who are currently undertaking official public duties on behalf of The Queen“.
It means, Meghan Markle, Prince Harry and their kids, who have confirmed they WILL attend the weekend celebrations won’t make the cut.
On the same day, over 1500 towns, villages and cities throughout the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and UK Overseas Territories will come together to light a beacon to mark the Jubilee.
Beacons will also be lit in each of the capital cities of Commonwealth countries, with the Principal beacon will be lit in a special ceremony at Buckingham Palace.
FRIDAY JUNE 3
On the Friday, a Service of Thanksgiving for The Queen’s reign will be held at St Paul’s Cathedral at 11.30am.
Great Paul, the largest church bell in the country, will be rung for the service after being restored in 2021.
It has been rung on eight occasions since – although this will be its first royal occasion since the big revamp.
A reception will be held at Guildhall following the Service.
SATURDAY JUNE 4
On the Saturday, the BBC will host a huge ‘Platinum Party at the Palace’ – a live concert bringing together some of the world’s biggest stars.
Hosts Kirsty Young and Roman Kemp will lead live coverage for the event, set to be aired live across the BBC.
Meanwhile, a total of 22,000 people are expected to attend, including 10,000 allocated in a public ballot and 5,000 tickets for key workers.
The full line-up of acts will be announced by the BBC in the coming weeks.
Epsom Downs Racecourse will also stage the 243rd running of the Derby.
SUNDAY JUNE 5
A Big Jubilee Lunch will be held up and down the country on June 5, with over 60,000 people registered to host one of their own.
Events involved are set to range from world record attempts for the longest street party to back garden barbecues.
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Other celebrations include the Platinum Jubilee Pageant, where performers, dancers, musicians, military personnel, key workers and volunteers will unite to tell the story of The Queen’s 70 year reign in a festival of creativity.
Thebigjubileelunch.com is still accepting orders for free packs to get street parties started or for people to find out where a public event in their area may be taking place.
