London was in party mode from the moment I arrived at Heathrow to celebrate the Happy and Glorious Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. Flags of every size and streamers of bunting fluttered brightly in the June sun. Shop windows were crammed with Jubilee displays. The energy was contagious and excitement palpable.
The Queens Platinum Jubilee was designated a national holiday in the UK. Four days of celebrating the remarkable life and work of Queen Elizabeth II. I was ready to party and celebrate along with thousands of others.
Day One: Trooping The Colour
Trooping The Colour has marked the official birthday of the sovereign for 260 years. It is pagentry at its finest with a display of military precision and horsemanship. As usual there would be hundreds of gleaming horses, marching soldiers in red uniforms and tall bearskin hats, rousing brass band music, and traditional open carriages for the royal family. I wanted to see it all.
I joined thousands of others early on The Mall. I was not early enough! Some stalwarts staked a spot, front and center behind the barriers at least 24 hours in advance, to watch cavalry and carriages process from Buckingham Palace to Horseguards Parade.
Big Screens and People Watching
When I arrived the crowd was at least twelve deep with some spectators at the back using small step stools. I scoped the situation and decided I would have a better view watching on one of the giant screens set up just steps away in St James Park. The grass was soft and the day warm and sunny. I settled in and began people watching which was occasionally hilarious.
On schedule the pagentry began. Massed military bands marched, hundreds of horses hooves clattered and traditional horsedrawn carriages rumbled. One year I was a guest of the Coldstream Guards and watched in style, complete with formal dress and hat, from the stands on Horseguards Parade. This year there was a ballot for tickets. I was not successful, but just to be there hearing the sounds, watching on the screen and cheering with everyone was thrilling and memorable. But I also ploted my next move.
Balcony Appearance and Flypast
The Queen and members of the royal family were scheduled to make their traditional appearance on the balcony when procession and carriages returned from Trooping. I wanted to be in that crowd close to the Palace. I wanted to see them make their appearance. I wanted to wave my flag. I wanted to see the flypast of 70 planes scheduled to zoom over Buckingham Palace. How would I get there from my spot on the grass in St. James Park?
Crowd control in London is organized and orderly. I discovered there would be no mad dash for the Palace after the parade. Instead an imposing row of gleaming police horses would move at a stately pace towards the Palace down The Mall and crowds would fall in behind them, walking as barriers came down. It worked well. I was able to get close to the Palace, slightly to one side so my view was not blocked by either the Victoria Memorial or staging for the Saturday night concert. I glimpsed the balcony, the flypast was awe-inspiring, and I waved my flag too.
Day Two: St. Pauls and Westminster Abbey
Friday was a Service of Thanksgiving at St. Pauls Cathedral followed by a lunch for the royals at the ancient Guildhall nearby. The bishop of York, who gave the sermon used the Queen’s love of horses as inspiration. We are glad you are still in the saddle Ma’m. This became a headline in the Times Newspaper the following day.
I headed for Westminster Abbey instead to see the Jubilee Exhibition opened previously by The Queen. A private tour of some treasures, including the Coronation Chair, made in 1300, and areas of the abbey not usually seen.
Day Three: Platinum Party at the Palace
During the Day the Royals visited Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. But they were back intime for the Platinum Party at the Palace. So was I and on time! Gigantic Screens were placed at intervals down the Mall. This meant everyone, all 20,000 of us wherever seated, could watch this star studded event. We settled in with our Pimms at 5:30 when the pre-show began with a DJ. It was festive. People were sharing picnics. We were ready to party.
We Will Rock You
At 8:00 prompt, the live concert began. We watched the screen intently. No one expected it would begin with The Queen, and having tea with Paddington Bear no less! But there they were. The huge crowd fell silent. We watched, and when Paddington concluded with “Happy Jubilee Ma’am, and thank you for everything” He took the words out of our mouths. Then the duo, Queen and Bear introduced the opening number, tapping out the staccato beat of We Will Rock You, on their teacups. Outside the Palace the Band of the Royal Marines followed suit, then Queen + Adam Lambert accompanied by legendary Brian May kicked off the concert in their inimitable style.
Buckingham Palace: The Giant Imax Screen
Then a cornucopia of music royalty unfolded. Sir Elton John performed Your Song, including the lines “How wonderful life is while you’re in the world”. Then there were, Duran Duran, Sir Rod Stewart – who had everyone singing Sweet Caroline – Diana Ross, Andrew Lloyd Weber, Lin-Manuel Mind, Andrea Bocelli and more. Prince Charles and Prince William gave addresses, and Sir David Attenborough an eloquent plea for the planet. At that moment scenes of wildlife were projected onto the front of Buckingham Palace. Tropical plants grew and bright parrots flew across the facade. Prince William quipped it had turned into a giant Imax screen.
Drones and Corgis
The evening ended with an incredible sky show with 400 drones. The bots created images in the sky of corgies, horses, a handbag, tea pot and also the words “Thank you Ma’am”. Sky Magic produced the show using geofencing and location sensors to create larger than life displays. Amazing!
But it was not quite ended. The band began playing “God Save the Queen” Everyone on the entire Mall, all 20,000 of us stood up and joined in singing and waving flags. This was an unforgettable conclusion to an unforgettable evening. Happy and Glorious Ma’am.
Day Four: Sunday Lunch and Carnival Parade
Sunday, was day four of the celebrations. It was time for a national festive lunch. All around the country people had planned their own celebrations. Towns and cities planned street parties with tables set down the centre of the street decked with bunting and flags. There was a national competition for a Jubilee dessert. A sort of lemon trifle, and that along with Coronation Chicken, named after the Queen’s coronation seventy years ago were lunchtime favorites.
In London there was a pagent schduled for – of course – The Mall. There the Queen made her final Jubilee appearance. However I headed to the countryside. I joined dear family friends in a small village in Surrey.
Happy and Glorious
The village green was party central. Set out on the grass were rows of tables under awnings. But before lunch began was the parade. The village fire engine, tractors, and vintage Morris minors were each decked in Jubilee bunting. Then we followed and marched wearing handmade crowns and waving flags. We sang with the procession. All so very English and oh so much fun! And then there were those staples of English picnics, smoked salmon and champagne. The whole village celebrated. We quaffed the champers, children ran round and yes, the sun came out and shone on thatched cottages and the ancient pub.
What a conclusion to the four-day celebration. What a Happy and Glorious Platinum Jubilee.
Thank you Ma’am
