Harry and Meghan today promised to be in Britain with their children for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee next month – in a bombshell announcement made just minutes after the Queen banned them and Prince Andrew from the Buckingham Palace balcony during the Trooping the Colour.
The Sussexes have finally revealed that they will fly in from California with Archie, three today, and Lilibet, 11 months, to attend celebrations marking the monarch’s extraordinary 70 years on the throne that begin on June 2.
A spokesman for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex said: ‘Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are excited and honoured to attend The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations this June with their children.’
They spoke out just after Her Majesty delivered an extraordinary snub to them and Prince Andrew by not inviting them to the balcony for the Trooping the Colour – the spectacular centrepiece of her Platinum Jubilee. But it is undrstood Harry, Meghan, and their children will be invited to other jubilee events – and have now confirmed they will attend.
The monarch’s decisive action to only include royals carrying out official public duties such as Harry’s father and brother for the Buckingham Palace parade was taken by her ‘after careful consideration’.
‘The Queen has decided this year’s traditional Trooping the Colour balcony appearance on Thursday 2nd June will be limited to Her Majesty and those members of the royal family who are currently undertaking official public duties on behalf of the Queen’, a palace spokesman said.
The symbolic Trooping the Colour ban will be widely viewed as a rejection of Harry and Meghan, who quit the monarchy for a new life in the US two years ago, and to Andrew, who was cast out of the institution over his civil sexual assault case that saw him hand £12million to one of Jeffrey Epstein’s sex slaves.
The event on June 2 will kick start the four days of Jubilee festivities, with 18 members of the royal family set to gather on the famous frontage, with the Queen ‘looking forward’ the weekend of celebrations.
The Sussexes and the Duke of York will not be on the balcony with her for the sovereign’s official birthday parade. But there are exceptions, with Prince Anne’s husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, who is not a working royal, and various grandchildren and great-grandchildren including William and Kate’s children George, Charlotte and Louis. But there is no invite for Prince Andrew’s daughters Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.
The Palace spokesman added: ‘In addition the Cambridge and Wessex children are also expected to appear as is Sir Tim Laurence, who the Queen is happy to attend as a frequent attendee and support for the Princess Royal on official engagements.’
The Queen, Meghan and Prince Harry watch a flypast from Buckingham Palace on July 10, 2018. The Queen has chosen not to invite them back on to the balcony for her jubilee next month
The Monarch is joined on the Buckingham Palace balcony by members of the royal family for the Jubilee in 2019. Prince Andrew, who was at his mother’s left hand that day, has also been excluded
The Duke of York, pictured today, supported his mother at the memorial service for Prince Philip last month. He may do the same at St Paul’s next month
Construction work is carried out at Buckingham Palace ahead of the Platinum Jubilee that begins in early June
Police patrol The Mall ahead of the biggest celebration of the Queen for many years next month
Experts said that today decision should be viewed as a victory for Prince Charles and Prince William – and as proof the Sussexes are ‘excluded from The Firm’ and Andrew has been ‘ordered to disappear’.
Royal biographer Tom Bower told MailOnline: ‘Thank goodness that the Palace has finally ended the damaging mystery farce created by the Sussexes. Their status will crumble. Andrew has been firmly ordered to disappear. Charles and William are firmly in control to build a slim, modern and acceptable monarchy.’
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told MailOnline: ‘There has been endless speculation as to which members of the Royal Family will appear on Buckingham Palace’s iconic Balcony after Trooping the Colour this year.
‘Balcony appearances are a tradition that date back to Queen Victoria and one that commands worldwide attention.
‘The Queen has now clarified this, which will put an end to the endless rumours which have been swirling around regarding the possible appearance of the Sussexes and of Andrew.
‘He is in disgrace and should most emphatically not appear. It is extremely important that this has been clarified.
‘After they visited the Queen before the opening of the Invictus Games, it was rumoured that the Sussexes might be appearing and that their concerns about security had been resolved.
‘However since they have not clarified matters, it would also seem fair comment to say they have not bothered to, things had become undignified.
‘With this timely and perspicacious announcement, which should be widely welcomed, the Queen has put the focus of the celebrations where it ought to be and always should have been, on the unique anniversary which is being commemorated.’
He added: ‘The Sussexes will almost certainly see this as proof of their exclusion from The Firm. It may well be attributed to the machinations of those whom they feel are advising the Queen badly or not protecting her.
‘Andrew must surely realise that there is absolutely no way back for him. This clarifies matters and it was essential to do so as his involvement in any event is so damaging for the reputation of the Royal Family.
‘Other members of the Royal Family will undoubtedly accept this, realising that it’s been a tough time for the monarchy and anything else would have meant undesirable speculation continued.
‘They know it is the Queen’s decision and will respect that.’
Harry’s decision to acrimoniously quit as a working royal and spend the last two years making a string of damning accusations against his family from across the Atlantic is understood to have caused the Queen great heartache. It is also said to have caused major rift with Prince William and Prince Charles, who may have been consulted about today’s bombshell decision.
And it may be that Harry’s most recent interview with US TV, in which he claimed he wanted to ‘protect’ the Queen and flew to Windsor in secret to check she had the right people around her, may have contributed to today’s decision.
The decision may make it increasingly unlikely that Harry, Meghan and their two children Archie and Lilibet will fly into the UK for the events that begin on Thursday June 2 – although the door remains open for them and the Duke of York to attend a special service at St Paul’s Cathedral on Friday June 3.
Speaking during the Invictus Games last month, Harry insisted that he did not know if he, Meghan, Archie and Lilibet would return to the UK to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, saying there are ‘security issues and everything else’. The Duke of Sussex has taken the Home Office and the Met Police to the High Court, claiming he no longer feels safe in Britain without 24/7 armed bodyguards.
While the Queen is undoubtedly very fond of her grandson, his behaviour since emigrating, including accusing his own family of being racist towards Archie as well as the threat posed by his forthcoming memoirs – means not all members of the family may have been happy if they came.
Harry on his polo pony during the chukka he took part in a polo match last weekend. He has now reportedly signed up for the whole season, with some suggesting this was tacit confirmation he was staying in California
Nacho Figuares, who has been described by Tatler as the ‘David Beckham of polo’ and ‘one of the most recognisable players in the world, has actively spoken out to defend Harry and Meghan over the years (pictured, with wife Delfina in 2018)
Many in the royal household, while keen to facilitate the Queen’s wishes and put on a show of family unity to honour her 70 years on the throne, were said to have feared that the Sussexes presence could overshadow the monarch’s historic day.
On June 2, Trooping the Colour – the sovereign’s official birthday parade – will kick start the Jubilee festivities, with 18 members of the royal family set to gather on the famous frontage, with the Queen ‘looking forward’ the weekend of celebrations.
Joining the Queen on the balcony for Trooping will be the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, the Princess Royal, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke of Kent, Princess Alexandra, and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence.
Also set to appear for the historic occasion will be Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis and the Wessexes’ children Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn.
The head of state has made an exception for Anne’s husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim, who is not a working royal, and her two youngest grandchildren Lady Louise and James, and her Cambridge great-grandchildren George, Charlotte and Louis.
The Palace spokesman added: ‘In addition the Cambridge and Wessex children are also expected to appear as is Sir Tim Laurence, who the Queen is happy to attend as a frequent attendee and support for the Princess Royal on official engagements.’
Andrew stepped down from public duties in 2019 and just weeks ago paid millions out of court to settle a civil sexual assault case.
He was stripped of his honorary military titles and forced to no longer use his HRH style, but he played a key role in March when he escorted his mother to the Duke of Edinburgh’s thanksgiving service.
Harry and Meghan quit as senior working royals amid the Megxit saga, but there was speculation they might return to the UK to attend the Jubilee celebrations.
Andrew and the Sussexes could still make an appearance during other parts of the weekend.
A Palace source said: ‘Other family members will be invited to events. We’ve always made that clear and they are likely to be public events.’
The Palace refused to be drawn on whether there would be a second balcony appearance as a finale after the Pageant on Sunday.
A source reiterated past remarks about Harry and Meghan: ‘They are much loved members of the family and they would be invited to family events.’
With less than a month to go, the Palace released further details, including how Jubilee arrangements have been tailored for the Queen’s comfort.
There will be no ceremonial journey to the service of thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral on Friday June 3, and the 96-year-old monarch, who is facing mobility issues, will use a different entrance rather than scaling the steep steps.
The 18th century Gold State Coach will appear on the streets of London for the first time in 20 years when it leads the Jubilee Pageant procession on Sunday June 5.
Archive film footage of Elizabeth II on her Coronation Day will be shown on the remodelled on the windows to evoke the image of the young monarch travelling the coach.
With the Queen expected to appear on the balcony for Trooping, attend the church service and the Epsom Derby, decisions on her appearances across the weekend are not likely to be confirmed until the day.
A Palace spokesman said: ‘The Queen is looking forward to the weekend and will be taking part in the celebrations but her presence will not be confirmed until much nearer the time or even on the day itself.’
It will be the first time in three years that the Windsors have appeared on the balcony since the start of the pandemic, with the last time being the Queen’s official birthday parade in 2019.
Mini versions of Trooping were staged in the confines of Windsor Castle during lockdown.
Much has changed since 10 years ago when during the Diamond Jubilee, just six members of the royal family appeared – the Queen, Charles, Camilla, William, Kate and Harry – on the Palace balcony as part of a new slimmed down monarchy – with Edward, Sophie, Anne and Andrew missing out.
Britain’s big party for the Queen: From Trooping the Colour, to a fly past and the first appearance of the Gold State Coach in 20 years…Palace reveals more details ahead of Platinum Jubilee Weekend
Celebrations for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee weekend will kick off with Trooping the Colour watched by the Royal Family from the Buckingham Palace balcony, it was announced today.
Her Majesty has limited the balcony appearance on Thursday, June 2, to working members of her family, with the Duke of York and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex omitted from the royal line up.
To coincide with the appearance of the Royals on the balcony, there will be an impressive RAF flypast, followed by the lighting of beacons in more than 2,000 towns, villages and cities across the UK.
The main beacon lighting will take place at Buckingham Palace on Thursday evening.
The Palace refused to be drawn on whether there would be a second balcony appearance as a finale after the Pageant on Sunday.
A source reiterated past remarks about Harry and Meghan: ‘They are much loved members of the family and they would be invited to family events.’
With less than a month to go, the Palace released further details, including how Jubilee arrangements have been tailored for the Queen’s comfort.
There will be no ceremonial journey to the service of thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral on Friday June 3, and the 96-year-old monarch, who is facing mobility issues, will use a different entrance rather than scaling the steep steps.
The 18th century Gold State Coach will appear on the streets of London for the first time in 20 years when it leads the Jubilee Pageant procession on Sunday June 5.
Whilst the Queen is expected to appear on the Buckingham Palace balcony for Trooping the Colour, attend the church service and the Epsom Derby, decisions on her appearances across the weekend are not likely to be confirmed until the day.
A Palace spokesman said: ‘The Queen is looking forward to the weekend and will be taking part in the celebrations but her presence will not be confirmed until much nearer the time or even on the day itself.’
It will be the first time in three years that the Windsors have appeared on the balcony since the start of the pandemic, with the last time being the Queen’s official birthday parade in 2019.
Mini versions of Trooping were staged in the confines of Windsor Castle during lockdown.
Much has changed since 10 years ago when during the Diamond Jubilee, just six members of the royal family appeared – the Queen, Charles, Camilla, William, Kate and Harry – on the Palace balcony as part of a new slimmed down monarchy – with Edward, Sophie, Anne and Andrew missing out.
Thursday June 2, 2022: Trooping the Colour
More than 1,400 parading soldiers, 200 horses and 400 musicians will come together in the traditional Parade to mark The Queen’s official birthday, usually held on the second Saturday in June.
Beginning at Buckingham Palace, the procession will move down The Mall to Horse Guards’ Parade, joined by members of the Royal Family on horseback and in carriages.
Trooping the Colour will close with the traditional RAF fly-past, watched by the Queen and the Royal Family from the Buckingham Palace balcony.
Crucially – as revealed today – the balcony appearance is limited to working members of her family, with the Duke of York and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex omitted from the royal line up.
Joining the Queen on the balcony for Trooping will be the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, the Princess Royal, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke of Kent, Princess Alexandra, and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence.
Also set to appear for the historic occasion will be Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis and the Wessexes’ children Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn.
More than 1,400 parading soldiers, 200 horses and 400 musicians will come together in the traditional Parade to mark The Queen’s official birthday, usually held on the second Saturday in June
The head of state has made an exception for Anne’s husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim, who is not a working royal, and her two youngest grandchildren Lady Louise and James, and her Cambridge great-grandchildren George, Charlotte and Louis.
The Palace spokesman added: ‘In addition the Cambridge and Wessex children are also expected to appear as is Sir Tim Laurence, who the Queen is happy to attend as a frequent attendee and support for the Princess Royal on official engagements.’
The symbolic move is likely to be interpreted as a snub to Harry and Meghan, who quit the monarchy for a new life in the US two years ago, and to Andrew, who was cast out of the institution over his civil sexual assault case.
Trooping the Colour will close with the traditional RAF fly-past, watched by the Queen and the Royal Family from the Buckingham Palace balcony. Above: The Queen and the Royal family on the balcony in 2017
Andrew stepped down from public duties in 2019 and just weeks ago paid millions out of court to settle a civil sexual assault case.
He was stripped of his honorary military titles and forced to no longer use his HRH style, but he played a key role in March when he escorted his mother to the Duke of Edinburgh’s thanksgiving service.
Harry and Meghan quit as senior working royals amid the Megxit saga, but there was speculation they might return to the UK to attend the Jubilee celebrations.
Andrew and the Sussexes could still make an appearance during other parts of the weekend.
A Palace source said: ‘Other family members will be invited to events. We’ve always made that clear and they are likely to be public events.’
Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II rides in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach on the Mall in London on October 14, 2019
Platinum Jubilee Beacons
The United Kingdom’s long tradition of celebrating Royal Jubilees, Weddings and Coronations with the lighting of beacons will be continued to mark the Platinum Jubilee. Beacons will be lit throughout the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and UK Overseas Territories.
For the first time, beacons will also be lit in each of the capital cities of the Commonwealth countries to celebrate The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
Friday June 3, 2022: Service of Thanksgiving
A Service of Thanksgiving for The Queen’s reign will be held at St Paul’s Cathedral. The service will include readings from the Bible, along with prayers and hymns that will be sung by both the choir and congregation.
During the service, the church’s bell, named Great Paul, will be rung. It was made in 1882 but fell silent in the 1970s due to a broken mechanism.
It was restored in 2021 and has been rung on eight occasions since then. However, this is the first royal occasion for which it has been rung.
The service will start at 11.30am and Great Paul will be rung between 10.50am and 10.55am, followed by a peal of bells. After the service, a reception will be held at the Guildhall
Saturday June 4, 2022: The Derby at Epsom Downs, followed by Platinum Party at Buckingham Palace
The Derby at Epsom Downs
Her Majesty The Queen, accompanied by Members of the Royal Family, will attend the Derby at Epsom Downs.
Platinum Party at the Palace
The BBC will stage and broadcast a special live concert from Buckingham Palace that will bring together some of the world’s biggest entertainment stars to celebrate the most significant and joyous moments from The Queen’s seven decade reign.
Members of the public will be invited to apply to attend this special event and details of the ballot for UK residents to secure audience tickets will be released in due course.
Sunday June 5, 2022: The Big Jubilee Lunch
The Big Jubilee Lunch
Every year since the idea began in 2009 The Big Lunch has encouraged communities to celebrate their connections and get to know each other a little bit better, coming together in a spirit of fun and friendship.
In 2022 The Big Lunch will bring the Jubilee celebrations into the heart of every community.
People are invited to share friendship, food and fun with neighbours as part of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
A Big Jubilee Lunch can be big or small – street party or picnic, tea and cake or a garden barbeque. The Big Lunch provides tips and ideas for hosting an event.
The Platinum Jubilee Pageant
A pageant featuring over 5,000 people from across the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth will take place against the backdrop of Buckingham Palace and the surrounding streets.
It will combine street arts, theatre, music, circus, carnival and costume and celebrate the service of Her Majesty’s reign, as well as honouring the collective service of people and communities across the country.
The bells of Westmiminster Abbey will chime to mark the start of the pageant, as they did on the day of the Queen’s Coronation.
As they do so, the Mounted Band of the Queen’s Household Cavalry will lead the Gold State Coach along a crowd-thronged route back to Buckingham Palace.
The coach will be appearing on the streets of London for the first time in 20 years.
Archive film footage of Elizabeth II on her Coronation Day will be shown on the remodelled on the windows to evoke the image of the young monarch travelling in the coach on the day of her Coronation.
More than 10,000 people will be involved, including the military and more than 6,000 volunteers, performers, key workers and 2,500 members of the public.
Well-known celebrities from music, film, sport and the arts will also take part in the Pageant, whilst the Armed Forces will take a key role.
Overall, around 1,800 servicemen and women will be there to represent the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, British Army and Royal Air Force.
The ULTIMATE Platinum party guide: How and where to toast the Queen’s 70-year reign… from the Red Arrows at RAF Cosford to jousting at Hampton Court Palace and Sir Elton John at the Jubilee Concert at Buckingham Palace
- Celebratory events will also include Superbloom at Tower of London and special concerts all over the UK
- Smaller events such as a 70km ‘ultra challenge’ in Portsmouth are also taking place to mark the Jubilee
- MailOnline has compiled the ultimate party guide to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee over specialbank holiday
By Jamie Phillips for MailOnline
Huge events are taking place across the country to celebrate the Queen‘s 70-year reign.
Celebratory occasions will include the Red Arrows performing overhead at RAF Cosford, to jousting at Hampton Court Palace and Sir Elton John among guests at a special concert at Buckingham Palace.
Meanwhile, a 70-kilometre ‘ultra challenge’ is taking place for runners wanting to celebrate Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee in a unique way and a 70-mile classic car run in Cornwall, featuring a car from every year of the Queen’s reign, is also pencilled in among a wide variety of events.
Below, MailOnline has compiled the ultimate party guide to celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee over the special extra bank holiday.
Singalong at the Tower
Date: April 28
Time: 7pm
Location: The Tower of London
The Tower of London will host a special concert with ‘a programme of rousing and expressive choral music’ featuring the Choir of the Chapels Royal.
Music inside the St Peter and Vincula chapel will reflect on the ‘themes of coronation and queenhood’.
Ticket price: £25 via the Historic Royal Palaces (HRP) website.
Yeoman Warder’s (more commonly known as Beefeaters) parading from the Queen’s House to the Chapel of St Peter ad Vincula – where the event will take place
The National Lottery’s Big Jubilee Street Party
Date: May 12
Time: 6pm
Location: AO Arena, Manchester
The event, hosted by Jason Manford and Fleur East, will feature performances from the likes of the Kaiser Chiefs, Tom Grennan, Steps and Ella Henderson among others.
Tickets are now sold out for the event, but ITV and ITV Hub will be airing a special one-off show on a date to be confirmed in the coming weeks.
Tickets: Sold out
TV: ITV and ITV Hub,
Superbloom
Date: June 1 to September 18
Location: Tower of London
Superbloom at the Tower of London will see more than 20 millions seeds sewn to create a ‘spectacular, colourful, vibrant field of flowers that will fill the Tower’s moat’.
Designed to attract pollinators, ‘Superbloom’ aims to ‘bring spectacular natural beauty’ to the urban space.
Visitors will be able to slide down the moat on a mat, while a specially commissioned sound installation and sculptural elements will also form part of the attraction.
Tickets: From £12 for adults via the HRP website.
Gardeners sow seeds into the moat surrounding the Tower of London, that will bloom into a ‘Superbloom’ display celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee later this year
Jubilee Joust at Hampton Court Palace
Date: June 1 – June 5
Times: 11am, 1.30pm and 4pm
Location: Hampton Court Palace
Experience the historic sport of jousting in the gardens of the iconic Hampton Court Palace.
A special family-friendly tournament will take place over five days that will see knights compete to be hailed champion, with spectators able to cheer, jeer and follow the fun from the sidelines.
Tickets: Free for members, from £26.10 for adults via the HRP website.
Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Concert
Location: Symphony Hall, Birmingham
Date: June 2
Time: 7.30pm
A special concert is to take place at Birmingham’s Symphony Hall to celebrate the Queen’s jubilee that will include a selection of works from throughout her reign.
Titles for the evening include music from the coronation, works dedicated to The Queen and HRH The Princess Margaret, music from across the Commonwealth, personal favourites of Her majesty (My Fair Lady) and even bagpipes.
Tickets: £13-£55 via the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra website.
Ride a purple steam train
Date: June 2 – June 5
Timetable: TBC
Location: Taw Valley
Severn Valley Railway has renamed its 34027 Taw Valley engine Elizabeth II to mark her jubilee – as well as painting it purple.
Across the jubilee weekend, rock bands from the 1950s will play classic hits at multiple stations, while the Battle of Britain Memorial Flypast with a Lancaster will also take place on all four days.
Tickets: From £32.40 on the Severn Valley Railway website.
St Paul’s Cathedral Service of Thanksgiving
Date: June 3
Time: TBC
Location: St Paul’s Cathedral, London
A service of thanksgiving will take place at St Paul’s Cathedral to celebrate the Queen’s 70-year reign. Little information is available at present, but it is understood the service will not be open to the public.
Tickets: Closed to the public.
Jubilee Concert at Windsor Castle
Date: June 3
Time: TBC
Location: St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle
Take the chance to enjoy musical entertainment at Windsor Castle’s famed St George’s Chapel.
The concert will feature ‘special performances’ with the benefit of ‘amazing chapel acoustics’ and will be hosted by BBC Radio Three’s Petroc Trelawney.
Tickets: Tickets and further details for the Concert will be available in due course.
Platinum Party at the Palace
Date: June 4
Time: TBC
Location: Buckingham Palace
A special concert will take place in front of the Queen at Buckingham Palace.
MailOnline reported last year that Sir Elton John, Ed Sheeran and Stevie Wonder were being lined up to perform at the concert, set to be the ‘biggest celebration’ of the year in the UK.
It is hoped to be similar to the Diamond Jubilee concert organised by Gary Barlow in 2012, which saw the likes of Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Tom Jones, Robbie Williams, as well as Kylie Minogue, Madness, and Annie Lennox take to the stage.
A ballot for tickets has now closed, but up to 10,000 people will attend and the show will be broadcast live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
Tickets: Ballot closed
TV: BBC One and BBC iPlayer
‘God Save the Queen’ projected onto the facade of Buckingham Palace at the end of the ‘Party at the Palace’ concert held in the palace grounds to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee in 2002
Epsom Derby
Date: June 4
Location: Epsom Downs Racecourse
Time: 4.30pm
Prior to the huge Platinum Party at Buckingham Palace, the Queen will have an eye on the Epsom Derby.
The Cazoo Derby, one of the most prominent races in the calendar, has been taking place since 1780 and this year will feature an official commemoration of the Queen.
Her Majesty, an avid horse racing fan, has only missed the Derby four times in 75 years.
Tickets: From £30 on the Jockey Club website.
TV: ITV
Queen’s Platinum Jubilee ‘Proms in the Park’ concert
Date: June 4
Time: 1pm
Location: Wherstead Park, Ipswich
A ‘Best of British’ Proms concert will feature Christina Johnson and a live music ensemble.
Rousing classics such as Land of Hope and Glory, Abide with Me, Nimrod, God Save the Queen, Jerusalem, You’ll Never Walk Alone will be played along with hits from the West End.
Tickets: From £5 on the Wherstead Park website.
Jubilee Picnic in the Park
Date: June 4
Time: All day
Location: The Long Walk, Windsor
Windsor’s iconic Long Walk will host a huge picnic event with a ‘carnival atmosphere’ featuring ‘cars, music and sport from across the decades of Her Majesty’s reign’.
The Platinum Party at the Palace will also be shown on giant screens for all to enjoy with their food.
Tickets: Free entry
Windsor’s iconic Long Walk will host a huge picnic event with a ‘carnival atmosphere’ featuring ‘cars, music and sport from across the decades of Her Majesty’s reign’
Picnic in the Park afternoon tea at Sandringham
Date: June 4 and June 5
Time: 12pm-5pm
Location: Sandringham Estate, Norfolk
Where better to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee than at her much loved country retreat at Sandringham?
Visitors can enjoy a ‘delicately packaged’ afternoon tea in a ‘commemorative Platinum Jubilee design’ in the estate’s Parkland.
Tickets: From £35 on the Sandringham Estate website.
Windsor Big Lunch
Date: June 5
Time: All day
Location: The Long Walk, Windsor
The day after its Picnic in the Park event, Windsor will host its annual Big Lunch.
Friends and families will again be encouraged to bring picnics and union jack flags, while giant screens will show the Platinum Pageant.
Tickets: Arrangements are currently being put in place for a facility to reserve tables free of charge via a ticketing system, with details available soon.
Platinum Jubilee Pageant
Date: June 5
Time: TBC
Location: Buckingham Palace
The Pageant will combine street arts, theatre, music, circus, carnival and costume to celebrate the Queen’s ‘love of the natural world and dedication to the Commonwealth’.
A procession will take place along The Mall, emulating a moving river, while vintage cars and motorbikes will also feature.
The event is split into four parts, the first of which will contain more than 2,000 military personnel, followed by vintage clothes and classic cars, an artistic element and then a ‘surprise package’.
Tickets: Open to the public, no booking required.
A concept image of marching bands who will make up part of the Jubilee celebration. The marching bands, a giant dragon puppet and circus acts will form part of a spectacular pageant
Bodmin to Penzance classic car run
Date: June 5
Time: TBC
Location: Bodmin
Seventy cars from 70 years will travel 70 miles through Cornwall from Bodmin to Penzance to mark the Platinum Jubilee.
Organised by the Rotary Club of Bodmin, the event’s oldest vehicle will be a 1952 MG TD.
Tickets: £25 entry
Portsmouth Platinum Jubilee 70k Ultra Challenge
Date: June 5
Time: 8.40am-5pm
Location: Ferry Road, Portsmouth
The ultra challenge will see competitors given the choice between running the full 70k, or spreading the distance across a kayak, run and cycle.
There will be medals for all who complete the event, while there is the option to run a shorter distance if desired.
Tickets: Open to the public
RAF Cosford Airshow
Date: June 12
Time: Gates open at 8am
Location: RAF Cosford, Shropshire
The RAF Cosford Airshow will tell the 70-year-old story of aviation and its links to royalty through themed displays, while visitors can also enjoy a hands-on experience through immersive story-telling.
Air Show Chairman, Wing Commander Kenny Wickens, said earlier this year: ‘We are delighted to announce the return of the RAF Cosford Air Show after two difficult years.
‘A huge amount of work has been done in the early stages of planning this event to ensure we can provide a safe and enjoyable show for all of our visitors and we look forward to welcoming everyone back to RAF Cosford for a day of celebration and entertainment.’
Tickets: Adults from £34, under 16s go free. Available to buy on the Cosford Airshow website.
RAF Falcons display RAF Cosford Air Show in 2019, when at least 55,000 people attended the event
Red Hot Chilli Peppers and motorcycle display at the Platinum Jubilee Youth Spectacular
Date: June 18 and 19
Time: TBC
Location: St Ninians, Fife, Scotland
TV presenter Stephen Mulhern will host an event at the newly constructed arena that will feature a motorcycle display along with Scouts, Guides and Highland dancing.
It will culminate with an after event performance from the Red Hot Chilli Peppers.
Tickets: Open to the public, but advance booking required.
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