Platinum Jubilee: What is it? Will Queen Elizabeth attend? Will Harry and Meghan be there?
A celebration of the 70-year reign of Queen Elizabeth II begins on Thursday with parades, concerts, a horse race and street parties honoring the longest-serving monarch in the nation’s history.
It will be the third time the queen will celebrate a significant jubilee. She had similar celebrations on the 25th and 50th year anniversary of her ascendance to the throne on the death of her father, King George VI.
Here’s what is planned for the next few days:
What is the Platinum Jubilee?
The Platinum Jubilee marks Elizabeth’s 70th year on the throne. The longest-serving monarch surpassed the record her great-great-grandmother, Queen Victoria, set before she died in 1901. Victoria, who was 18 when she became queen, reigned for 63 years.
Elizabeth became queen when her father died on Feb. 6, 1952.
What is the schedule for the Platinum Jubilee?
Thursday: The jubilee begins with Trooping the Color, a military parade in honor of the queen’s official birthday. According to Buckingham Place, “The ‘colour’ or regimental flag will be trooped by the 1st Battalion, Irish Guards, and more than 1,200 officers and soldiers from the Household Division will put on a display of military pageantry on Horse Guards Parade, together with hundreds of Army musicians and around 240 horses.”
While Elizabeth’s birthday is April 21, her birthday is officially and publicly celebrated on the second Saturday in June each year. It was moved to Thursday this year to be part of the Platinum Jubilee weekend.
Following the parade, the family will appear on the balcony at Buckingham Palace. it is not clear whether Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, will be on the balcony with the queen, but they will be celebrating with the monarch.
Some thought the couple may not be included in the ceremonies since they left the United Kingdom and moved to the United States.
On Thursday evening, the country will see a traditional beacon-lighting ceremony that will include more than 1,500 beacons.
The beacons will be lit throughout the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands, Isle of Man and U.K. Overseas Territories, continuing the United Kingdom’s long tradition of celebrating Royal Jubilees, Buckingham Palace said.
Friday: The queen and members of her family will attend a Service of Thanksgiving at St. Paul’s Cathedral.
Great Paul, the largest church bell in the country, will be rung for the service.
Saturday: Members of the royal family, but probably not the queen, will attend a horse race Saturday at Epsom Downs, a racetrack south of London.
The Derby is one of English racing’s five classic races. The Derby is run over 1 mile, 4 furlongs and 10 yards on Epsom Downs.
Elizabeth will be represented by her daughter, Princess Anne, at the race, according to Buckingham Palace.
Saturday evening will feature the Platinum Party at the Palace. According to Buckingham Palace, “The celebration will see famous faces from the world of entertainment brought together to perform for a night of musical tributes to celebrate The Queen’s 70-year reign. 22,000 people will attend the event.”
Entertainers Elton John, Diana Ross, Rod Stewart, Andrea Bocelli and others will take part in the concert.
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Sunday: More than 60,000 people have registered to host Big Jubilee Lunches, according to Buckingham Palace, with events ranging from “world record attempts for the longest street party to back garden BBQ’s and everything in between.”
More than 10 million people across the U.K. are expected to participate.
According to Buckingham Palace, people across the world have pledged to join in with more than 600 international Big Jubilee Lunches being planned throughout the Commonwealth and beyond.
The weekend ends with a People’s Pageant, involving the military and members of the public and led by the queen’s Gold State Coach alongside a host of celebrities.
“Whilst The Queen won’t personally travel in the regal Gold State Carriage, there will be a fabulous surprise. Original film footage recorded on Coronation Day will be used to recreate the magic of that extraordinary occasion,” Buckingham Palace promises.
Queen Elizabeth II smiles as she watches from the balcony of Buckingham Palace after the Trooping the Color ceremony in London, Thursday, June 2, 2022, on the first of four days of celebrations to mark the Platinum Jubilee.
Prince Louis covers his ears from the balcony of Buckingham Place during a fly-past after the Trooping the Color ceremony in London, Thursday, June 2, 2022, on the first of four days of celebrations to mark the Platinum Jubilee. The events over a long holiday weekend in the U.K. are meant to celebrate the monarch’s 70 years of service.(Aaron Chown/Pool Photo via AP)
Queen Elizabeth II, Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Louis, Princess Charlotte watch from the balcony of Buckingham Place after the Trooping the Color ceremony in London, Thursday, June 2, 2022, on the first of four days of celebrations to mark the Platinum Jubilee. The events over a long holiday weekend in the U.K. are meant to celebrate the monarch’s 70 years of service.(Aaron Chown/Pool Photo via AP)
Members of the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery during an 82 gun salute to mark the start of the Platinum Jubilee in Hyde Park, London, Thursday June 2, 2022, on the first of four days of celebrations to mark the Platinum Jubilee. The events over a long holiday weekend in the U.K. are meant to celebrate the monarch’s 70 years of service. (AP Photo/David Cliff)
Queen Elizabeth II, from left, Prince Louis, Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, and Princess Charlotte on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, London, Thursday June 2, 2022, on the first of four days of celebrations to mark the Platinum Jubilee. The events over a long holiday weekend in the U.K. are meant to celebrate the monarch’s 70 years of service. (Alastair Grant/Pool Photo via AP)
Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, from left, Prince Charles, Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Louis, Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, Princess Charlotte, Prince George and Prince William on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, London, Thursday June 2, 2022, on the first of four days of celebrations to mark the Platinum Jubilee.
Spectators watch the RAF flypast on The Mall after the Trooping the Colour parade on June 2, 2022, in London.
Britain’s Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis watch the Trooping of the Color in London, Thursday June 2, 2022, on the first of four days of celebrations to mark the Platinum Jubilee.
Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis watch the Trooping of the Color in London, Thursday June 2, 2022, on the first of four days of celebrations to mark the Platinum Jubilee.
Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Kent watch from the balcony during the Trooping the Color ceremony at Horse Guards Parade in London, Thursday, June 2, 2022, on the first of four days of celebrations to mark the Platinum Jubilee.
Charles, Prince of Wales, rides in a car during the Trooping the Colour parade on June 2, 2022 in London.
Prince George, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte in the carriage procession during the Trooping the Color parade at Horse Guards, London, Thursday, June 2, 2022, on the first of four days of celebrations to mark the Platinum Jubilee.
Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, left, and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge ride in a carriage during the Trooping the Color, in London, Thursday June 2, 2022, on the first of four days of celebrations to mark the Platinum Jubilee.
From left, Prince George, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, leave Buckingham Palace for the Trooping the Color ceremony at Horse Guards Parade in London, Wednesday, June 2, 2022, on the first of four days of celebrations to mark the Platinum Jubilee.
Prince George, left, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte ride in a carriage as they make their way to the Trooping the Color, in London, Thursday June 2, 2022, on the first of four days of celebrations to mark the Platinum Jubilee.
Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex, with their children Viscount Severn and Lady Louise Windsor, leave Buckingham Palace for the Trooping the Color ceremony at Horse Guards Parade in London, Wednesday, June 2, 2022, on the first of four days of celebrations to mark the Platinum Jubilee.
Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall rides in a carriage to the Trooping the Color, in London, Thursday June 2, 2022, on the first of four days of celebrations to mark the Platinum Jubilee.
Viscount Severn and Lady Louise Windsor ride in a carriage as the Royal Procession leaves Buckingham Palace along the Mall heading for the Trooping the Color in London, Wednesday, June 2, 2022, on the first of four days of celebrations to mark the Platinum Jubilee.
An Irish wolfhound leads as Guards take part in the Trooping the Color ceremony at Horse Guards, central London, Thursday June 2, 2022, on the first of four days of celebrations to mark the Platinum Jubilee. The events over a long holiday weekend in the U.K. are meant to celebrate the monarch’s 70 years of service. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
Britain’s Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, in his role as Colonel of the Welsh Guards, takes part in the Trooping the Color parade, in London, Thursday June 2, 2022, on the first of four days of celebrations to mark the Platinum Jubilee. The events over a long holiday weekend in the U.K. are meant to celebrate the monarch’s 70 years of service. (Adrian Dennis/Pool Photo via AP)
Britain’s Princess Anne leaves Buckingham Palace for the Trooping the Color ceremony at Horse Guards Parade in London, Wednesday, June 2, 2022, on the first of four days of celebrations to mark the Platinum Jubilee. The events over a long holiday weekend in the U.K. are meant to celebrate the monarch’s 70 years of service. (Jonathan Brady/Pool Photo via AP)
Prince Charles departs Buckingham Palace heading for the Trooping of the Color in London, Thursday June 2, 2022, on the first of four days of celebrations to mark the Platinum Jubilee. The events over a long holiday weekend in the U.K. are meant to celebrate the monarch’s 70 years of service. (Alberto Pezzali/Pool Photo via AP)
Prince Charles, front centre, Princess Anne, right, and Prince William, left, depart Buckingham Palace heading for the Trooping of the Color in London, Thursday June 2, 2022, on the first of four days of celebrations to mark the Platinum Jubilee. The events over a long holiday weekend in the U.K. are meant to celebrate the monarch’s 70 years of service. (Alberto Pezzali/Pool Photo via AP)
The Band of the Welsh Guards on their way to the Trooping the Color, in London, Thursday June 2, 2022, on the first of four days of celebrations to mark the Platinum Jubilee. The events over a long holiday weekend in the U.K. are meant to celebrate the monarch’s 70 years of service.
Members of Band of the Household Cavalry take part in the Queen’s Birthday Parade, the Trooping the Color in London, Wednesday, June 2, 2022, on the first of four days of celebrations to mark the Platinum Jubilee.
The Band of the Welsh Guards pass members of the Kings Troop Royal Horse Artillery on their way to the Queen’s Birthday Parade, the Trooping the Color on Wednesday, June 2, 2022, in London, on the first of four days of celebrations to mark the Platinum Jubilee.
Britain’s Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall are driven along the Mall in London Wednesday, June 2, 2022, on the first of four days of celebrations to mark the Platinum Jubilee.
Britain’s Prince Charles and Britain’s Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall are driven along the Mall towards Buckingham Palace in London, Wednesday, June 2, 2022, on the first of four days of celebrations to mark the Platinum Jubilee.
Britain’s Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall is seen in the rear of a car as she is driven along the Mall, in London, Wednesday, June 2, 2022, on the first of four days of celebrations to mark the Platinum Jubilee.
Members of Band of the Household Cavalry take part in the Queen’s Birthday Parade, the Trooping the Color in London, Wednesday, June 2, 2022, on the first of four days of celebrations to mark the Platinum Jubilee.
A young royal fan smiles as she stands alongside the Mall leading to Buckingham Palace in London, Thursday June 2, 2022, on the first of four days of celebrations to mark the Platinum Jubilee.
Royal fans have Union flag transfers applied to their faces as they gather along the Mall leading to Buckingham Palace in London, Thursday June 2, 2022, on the first of four days of celebrations to mark the Platinum Jubilee.
Royal fans have Union flag transfers applied to their faces as they gather along the Mall leading to Buckingham Palace in London, Thursday June 2, 2022, on the first of four days of celebrations to mark the Platinum Jubilee.
Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II prepares to touch the Commonwealth Nations Globe to start the lighting of the Principal Beacon outside of Buckingham Palace in London, from the Quadrangle at Windsor Castle in Windsor, west of London, as part of Platinum Jubilee celebrations on June 2, 2022, in Windsor, England.
Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II touches the Commonwealth Nations Globe to start the lighting of the Principal Beacon outside of Buckingham Palace in London, from the Quadrangle at Windsor Castle in Windsor, west of London, as part of Platinum Jubilee celebrations on June 2, 2022, in Windsor, England.
Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II touches the Commonwealth Nations Globe to start the lighting of the Principal Beacon outside of Buckingham Palace in London, from the Quadrangle at Windsor Castle in Windsor, west of London, as part of Platinum Jubilee celebrations on June 2, 2022, in Windsor, England.
Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II prepares to touch the Commonwealth Nations Globe to start the lighting of the Principal Beacon outside of Buckingham Palace in London, from the Quadrangle at Windsor Castle in Windsor, west of London, as part of Platinum Jubilee celebrations on June 2, 2022, in Windsor, England.
Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II prepares to touch the Commonwealth Nations Globe to start the lighting of the Principal Beacon outside of Buckingham Palace in London, from the Quadrangle at Windsor Castle in Windsor, west of London, as part of Platinum Jubilee celebrations on June 2, 2022, in Windsor, England.
The Commonwealth of Nations’ Globe which was touched by Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II to start the lighting of the Principal Beacon outside of Buckingham Palace in London, from the Quadrangle at Windsor Castle in Windsor, west of London, as part of Platinum Jubilee celebrations on June 2, 2022, in Windsor, England.
Jubilee Beacons at Windsor Castle that were symbolically lit by Queen Elizabeth II from the Quadrangle at Windsor Castle in Windsor, west of London, as part of Platinum Jubilee celebrations on June 2, 2022, in Windsor, England.
A general view as Queen Elizabeth II attends the lighting of the Principal Platinum Jubilee Beacon at Windsor Castle on June 2, 2022, in Windsor, England.
Members of the public attend the beacon lighting at Buckingham Palace on June 2, 2022, in London.
Projections are displayed on the front of Buckingham Palace depicting Queen Elizabeth II during the lighting of the Principal Beacon at Buckingham Palace in London on June 2, 2022, as part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II prepares to touch the Commonwealth Nations Globe to start the lighting of the Principal Beacon outside of Buckingham Palace in London, from the Quadrangle at Windsor Castle in Windsor, west of London, as part of Platinum Jubilee celebrations on June 2, 2022, in Windsor, England.
Britain’s Prince William attends the lighting of the beacon at Buckingham Palace in London, Thursday June 2, 2022, on day one of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
Britain’s Prince William speaks with Sir Nicholas Bacon, left, and designer Thomas Heatherwick during the lighting of the beacon at Buckingham Palace in London, Thursday June 2, 2022, on day one of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
Britain’s Prince William speaks with with Gregory Porter during the lighting of the beacon at Buckingham Palace in London, Thursday June 2, 2022, on day one of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
Britain’s Prince William, left, and Sir Nicholas Bacon, left, in front of the "Tree Of Trees" created by designer Thomas Heatherwick during the lighting of the beacon at Buckingham Palace in London, Thursday June 2, 2022, on day one of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, arrive for the National Service of Thanksgiving held at St Paul’s Cathedral as part of celebrations marking the Platinum Jubilee of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II, in London, Friday, June 3, 2022.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrive for a service of thanksgiving for the reign of Queen Elizabeth II at St Paul’s Cathedral in London, Friday, June 3, 2022, on the second of four days of celebrations to mark the Platinum Jubilee.
Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, arrive for a service of thanksgiving for the reign of Queen Elizabeth II at St Paul’s Cathedral in London, Friday, June 3, 2022, on the second of four days of celebrations to mark the Platinum Jubilee.
Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend the National Service of Thanksgiving held at St Paul’s Cathedral as part of celebrations marking the Platinum Jubilee of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II, in London, Friday, June 3, 2022.
Britain’s Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, waves as she arrives for a service of thanksgiving for the reign of Queen Elizabeth II at St Paul’s Cathedral in London on Friday, June 3, 2022, on the second of four days of celebrations to mark the Platinum Jubilee.
Prince William and his wife Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, arrive for a service of thanksgiving for the reign of Queen Elizabeth II at St Paul’s Cathedral in London, Friday, June 3, 2022, on the second of four days of celebrations to mark the Platinum Jubilee.
Front row from left, Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William, Camilla Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Charles attend the National Service of Thanksgiving held at St Paul’s Cathedral as part of celebrations marking the Platinum Jubilee of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II, in London, Friday, June 3, 2022.
From left, Britain’s Princess Anne, Kate, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William attend the National Service of Thanksgiving held at St Paul’s Cathedral as part of celebrations marking the Platinum Jubilee of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II, in London, Friday, June 3, 2022.
Britain’s Prince Charles arrives for a service of thanksgiving for the reign of Queen Elizabeth II at St Paul’s Cathedral in London on Friday, June 3, 2022, on the second of four days of celebrations to mark the Platinum Jubilee.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his wife Carrie Johnson attend the National Service of Thanksgiving held at St Paul’s Cathedral as part of celebrations marking the Platinum Jubilee of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II, in London, Friday, June 3, 2022.
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and her husband, Peter Murrell, arrive for a service of thanksgiving for the reign of Queen Elizabeth II at St Paul’s Cathedral in London on Friday, June 3, 2022, on the second of four days of celebrations to mark the Platinum Jubilee.
Zara Tindall and Mike Tindall attend the National Service of Thanksgiving held at St Paul’s Cathedral as part of celebrations marking the Platinum Jubilee of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II, in London, Friday, June 3, 2022.
Former British Prime Minister David Cameron and his wife Samantha Cameron arrive for the National Service of Thanksgiving held at St Paul’s Cathedral as part of celebrations marking the Platinum Jubilee of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II, in London, Friday, June 3, 2022.
British Minister of State Jacob Rees-Mogg, back center, attends the National Service of Thanksgiving held at St Paul’s Cathedral as part of celebrations marking the Platinum Jubilee of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II, in London, Friday, June 3, 2022.
Former British Prime Minister Theresa May and her husband Philip May arrive for a service of thanksgiving for the reign of Queen Elizabeth II at St Paul’s Cathedral in London on Friday, June 3, 2022, on the second of four days of celebrations to mark the Platinum Jubilee.
A general view ahead of a service of thanksgiving for the reign of Queen Elizabeth II at St Paul’s Cathedral in London on Friday, June 3, 2022, on the second of four days of celebrations to mark the Platinum Jubilee.
