In Celebration of HM The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee
Celebrating 70 Years of Extraordinary Service
As The Queen became the first British monarch to reach the milestone of 70 years on the throne this year, the UK is set to come to a standstill in celebration over a long weekend holiday in June.
From Thursday 2nd to Sunday 5th June, expect streets framed with fluttering red, white and blue flags, village hall tables laden with competition-winning cakes and flag-pinned sandwiches, as well as pageants, street parties and classic car races. The nation is setting the stage to commemorate The Queen’s extraordinary service of over 70 years and at Brown’s Hotel, we’re ready to wave the flag in appreciation too.
Thursday Highlights
The celebrations will begin with a bang: a 41-gun salute in Green Park in London. Amid the fanfare of the Trooping the Colour – held in honour of The Queen’s official birthday – The Mall will be filled with flag-waving crowds waiting in anticipation for a glimpse of The Queen’s white gloved hand as her carriage swoops by.
Trooping the Colour is an annual display of military might and includes thousands of soldiers in pillar box red jackets and black hats. It’s a sight and sound to behold as horses clad in polished leather and gleaming buckles clip-clop down The Mall to the sound of the Massed Bands of the Household Division.
After The Queen’s official inspection, the dazzling display culminates with an RAF flypast, watched by the Royal Family from the balcony of Buckingham Palace. As dusk settles, the palace will light the first of 1,500 Jubilee beacons that will burn from prominent hilltops across the country. Wherever you may be, look out for the flame of a beacon as you raise a toast to Britain’s longest serving monarch.
Meanwhile in the gardens of Hampton Court Palace in West London, Henry VIII’s favoured home, armoured knights will level their lances for a special jubilee joust, from Wednesday to Sunday.
Friday Highlights
Under Sir Christopher Wren’s great dome at St Paul’s Cathedral, the bells are poised to ring out for a service of thanksgiving for The Queen's reign.
Saturday Highlights
At the start of the weekend, The Queen will set a high bar in the style stakes during the Derby at Epsom Downs Racecourse. Fashionistas will be adjusting their binoculars to see whether she’ll be wearing a pale blue dress by Hardy Amies – one of her favourite designers – or a lilac coat with a purple and diamond brooch, which she previously wore to the Derby.
A joyful crowd of 10,000 people will hit the dance floor at Platinum Party at the Palace outside Buckingham Palace. As well as a full orchestra, some of the world's biggest screen, stage and music stars will take to the stage, celebrating The Queen's reign and significant cultural moments during her time on the throne.
Sunday Highlights
On Sunday, streets all over the country will be transformed with Union Jack flags, fluttering bunting and tables laden with plates piled high with cakes and sandwiches for the Big Jubilee Lunch.
A carnival atmosphere will descend around Buckingham Palace. Thousands of stilt walkers, musicians and dancers will parade down The Mall for the Platinum Jubilee Pageant, alongside hundreds of school children waving flags creating a 'River Of Hope' – the culmination of an art project poignantly reminding us all of the importance of the natural world.
A Lasting Legacy
The Platinum Jubilee celebrations will continue over the summer and across the country. The lavishly furnished State Rooms at Buckingham Palace will display the first official photos of The Queen after she ascended to the throne. Photographer Dorothy Wilding’s side profile portraits are recognised across the world having been an identifying feature of coins, notes and stamps for years.
Embroidered silk satin and embellished with pearls and gold thread, The Queen’s coronation dress will be displayed at Windsor Castle in Berkshire while a striking pink silk and chiffon dress worn by The Queen on her 25th anniversary is among the treasures at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Scotland, in two special Platinum Jubilee exhibitions.
Setting down roots for future generations, The Queen’s Green Canopy encourages everyone in the UK to plant a tree. With the aim of establishing a network of 70 ancient woodlands, it will create an evergreen reminder of The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Meanwhile, back at the Tower of London, the moat has already been planted with more than 20 million seeds, ensuring the magical colours of wildflowers continue to bloom well into the autumn.
Book a stay at Brown’s Hotel to be at the heart of The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations and join us in raising a toast to family, duty and service.
A favourite of HM The Queen herself, Brown’s Hotel is an easy walk to The Mall and Buckingham Palace. To book your next escape email concierge.browns@roccofortehotels.com or call +44 20 7493 6020.
Travel between two great cities and celebrate in style at Brown’s Hotel and The Balmoral
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