Happy memories: when Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her Platinum Jubilee

The Queen's Platinum Jubilee: photos
The royals on parade
Prince Louis
Your royal Princes and Princesses
There's something down there...
Future King
Camilla and Catherine
The Wessexes and their hats
Trooping the Colour: Princess Royal
Trooping the Colour: Prince William
Who made it on to the balcony?
Some incredible scenes
Salute to the Queen
Lighting the beacons
Lighting beacons around the world
Escape to quarters
Day 2 of the celebrations
Day 3: Cardiff Castle
The music lives on...
Icons
Diana Ross
Rod Stewart, Duran Duran, Mabel, George Ezra, among others...
Ella Eyre took us to the future
Day 4 of the Platinum Jubilee
Take to the streets
Images of the Queen
A good deal of prep
Music, dancing and joy
Music everywhere
Jubilee street party on Church Street
Camilla and cake
A little sisterly competition
God bless you Ma'm
The Queen's Platinum Jubilee: photos

Among the last, pleasant memories the British people have of their Queen, was her 70th anniversary in June 2022. Here she was, full of smiles, sporting pastel colours and her diamond Brigade of Guards Brooch which she wears to every Trooping the Colour. Charles, the next in line to the throne, stood beside her.

The royals on parade

The four-day weekend, celebrating HRH Queen Elizabeth II's 70 years on the throne, kicked off on Thursday 2nd June with the Trooping of the Colour event - normally held to celebrate the Queen's birthday. Everyone looked fabulous and was in good spirits, even with the little prince Louis stealing the show with his priceless reactions to the noisy aircraft blasting overhead.

Prince Louis

Just an energetic four-year-old, doing what four-year-olds do best. Louis' mother, Catherine, certainly had her hands full, keeping the little one under control. But his expressions endeared the crowds.

Your royal Princes and Princesses

The Princes George and Louis, along with Princesses Charlotte and Beatrice, converged on the balcony on Thursday as they looked out over the historic Horse Guards Parade. The National Anthem was played as huge crowds amassed in the sunshine in central London.

There's something down there...

Prince Louis may have been pulling faces and snapping during his lively toddler years, but it was not the only photo of the royal princes and princesses that caught the public's attention. This one of Princess Charlotte, clearly unimpressed by something below the balcony, is also a facial expression to be remembered.

Future King

And suddenly, clearly, something caught the eye of the now-second in line for the British throne. Or maybe he got something in his eye...?

Camilla and Catherine

Camilla joined Princess Catherine in a carriage as they both arrived at the event. Catherine recycled a previous outfit - a white Alexander McQueen dress - which she had previously worn in June 2021 at the G7 Summit. She adorned the outfit with Princess Diana's sapphire earrings.

The Wessexes and their hats

Sophie, Countess of Wessex, wife of the Queen's youngest son, and her children, Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn also traveled together in a horse-drawn carriage. The Queen's granddaughter, 18, wore her mother's Philip Treacy hat, which she wore to Trooping the Colour in 2009.

Trooping the Colour: Princess Royal

The 71-year-old royal rode on horseback down the mall to the Trooping the Colour celebrations. Why does she ride the horse and not come in the carriages like the other ladies? Why a uniform and not a pretty gown? Princess Anne is Colonel of the Blues and Royals, and she wore her full regalia, joined by Charles and William.

Trooping the Colour: Prince William

Prince William, riding a horse named George, looked dapper in his uniform. One has to imagine the weight and heat of those hats under the June sunshine.

Who made it on to the balcony?

Unlike other years, only working royals were invited onto the balcony. The Queen was there, and it would be her last appearance at Trooping the Colour. She was accompanied by Charles and Camilla, William and Catherine, the Wessex family, Princess Anne and her husband, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester (cousin of the Queen), the Duke of Kent, and Princess Alexandra (also cousins). No Harry and Meghan and no Prince Andrew.

Some incredible scenes

The public turned out in their thousands to give their well-wishes to the Queen on this historic event. The photo shows the mall - leading to Buckingham Palace.

Salute to the Queen

This poignant shot was taken of the 124 Gun salute at the Tower of London, in honor of the Queen's birthday. The salute was fired from four twenty-five-pounder guns located on Tower Wharf facing the River Thames, by the Honourable Artillery Company at 1 pm.

Lighting the beacons

On to Windsor for the evening celebrations. The view was spectacular as Queen Elizabeth II attended the lighting of the Principal Platinum Jubilee Beacon at Windsor Castle.

Lighting beacons around the world

More than 2,800 beacons were lit from Buckingham Palace to the UK and overseas territories. There were fires lit at the four high-test peaks in the UK as well as the Channel Islands and 54 Commonwealth capitals across five continents. This floating beacon was on the water as Roman re-enactors performed at a beacon on a hill above Cawfield Quarry at a section of Hadrian's Wall.

Escape to quarters

Queen Elizabeth II certainly had a long day. The monarch escaped to her quarters after the lighting-the-beacon ceremony.

Day 2 of the celebrations

The following day, Friday 3rd June, the royals congregated again at the National Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral. Pastel colors were a popular choice amongst the ladies.

Day 3: Cardiff Castle

On Saturday, the royals were split. They went off to a range of different events, representing the Queen, who was unable to attend her events. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge waved at well-wishers at Cardiff Castle on Saturday as their son, Prince George, looked as though he was walking down a catwalk.

The music lives on...

Sam Ryder, who did the country proud at this year's Eurovision Song Contest, performed with other stars at the BBC Platinum Party at the Palace on Saturday evening.

Icons

As did Brian May and Adam Lambert from Queen. Only icons for an iconic event.

Diana Ross

And talking of icons... the one and only Diana Ross performed. The legendary singer has not performed in the UK for 15 years. Ain't no Mountain High Enough to keep her from returning.

Rod Stewart, Duran Duran, Mabel, George Ezra, among others...

The line up was spectacular, celebrating British artists who all felt the celebrations and happy vibes coming from the crowds. Even thought Rod Stewart, in an interview, said he was told to sing a song he didn't want to! He did a stellar job.

Ella Eyre took us to the future

Not only legendary names studded the lineup but new ones, too. Ella Eyre took us to the future with her performances, accompanied by some impressive tech. drones made shapes behind her in the sky, like this classic teapot and cup. They also made a waving corgi, the queen's favourite pooch. It was an impressive sight.

Day 4 of the Platinum Jubilee

Prince Louis of Cambridge celebrated during the Platinum Pageant in London on Sunday. The little prince was clearly enjoying all the attention.

Take to the streets

Performers in bright costumes and enormous floats animated the streets of London during Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

Images of the Queen

The monarch's face can be seen stenciled on several moments of the parade.

A good deal of prep

The celebration also featured floats like this one: an impressive three-storey cake.

Music, dancing and joy

There was no shortage of music in the colourful and spectacular parade in honour of the monarch.

Music everywhere

Those who preferred to enjoy the day in a bar or have a picnic in the middle of the street, could be surprised by musicians popping up to provide a soundtrack for the event.

Jubilee street party on Church Street

Up and down the country old and young got together in celebration of 70 glorious years. Coronation chicken and bunting galore as the great British public parted in the streets.

Camilla and cake

Charles watched on as Camilla cut a cake at the Big Jubilee Lunch at The Oval on Sunday in London.

A little sisterly competition

Princess Beatrice (left) and Princess Eugenie took on plate spinning during the Big Jubilee Lunch organised by Westminster Council for local volunteer and community groups who helped during the Covid-19 pandemic.

God bless you Ma'm

Never one to let the side down, the Queen made a final appearance on the balcony. A true example of an exceptional Queen, who will remain in her people's hearts and memories for many years to come.

More for you