How To Celebrate The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee
Photography: ROB MUNDAY; THE IVY
/

How To Celebrate The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee

This year, Queen Elizabeth II will become the first British monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee – marking 70 years of service. In addition to official events in London and Windsor – as well as street parties around the country – there are endless things happening in the capital. From exhibitions and concerts to special restaurant menus, here’s what to book now – plus, the celebrations to tune into…
By Sherri Andrew /
Photography: ROB MUNDAY; THE IVY

THE OFFICIAL SCHEDULE

To celebrate The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, there will be an official schedule of events, most of which will be broadcasted live on the BBC, BBC iPlayer and Sky. Here’s what to look out for:

Thursday 2nd June

Trooping The Colour

The Queen’s birthday parade starts at 11am, led by the 1st Battalion. Over 1,200 officers and soldiers will display a military pageantry with hundreds of musicians and 240 horses. Seated tickets are sold out, but you can still catch a glimpse of the action at Buckingham Palace and from large screens in St James’s Park. The Royal Family will appear on the Palace balcony, followed by an RAF flypast. 

Platinum Jubilee Beacons

Thousands of beacons around the country will be lit to mark the occasion, including The Principal Beacon, involving the Tree of Trees at Buckingham Palace. Beacons will also be lit in all capital cities of the Commonwealth.

Friday 3rd June

Service Of Thanksgiving 

This special service will take place at St Paul’s Cathedral, followed by a ringing of the bells. 

Saturday 4th June 

The Derby at Epsom Downs

The Queen, accompanied by members of the Royal Family, will attend the Derby at Epsom Downs.

Platinum Party At The Palace

Presenters Kirsty Young and Roman Kemp will lead live coverage of the Platinum Party at the Palace, which will be broadcast across the BBC network. Famous faces from the world of entertainment will perform musical tributes. 

Sunday 5th June 

Big Jubilee Lunch

Communities around the country will host street parties and celebrations, from world record attempts for the longest street party to backgarden BBQs. Over 10m people are expected to join in the celebrations – there’s still time to download the starter pack if you want to get involved. 

Platinum Jubilee Pageant 

​The Gold State Carriage will lead the pageant. The Queen won’t be travelling inside, but there will be a surprise for those watching the procession from the sidelines and viewers at home. After the national anthem, the pageant will bring to life iconic moments from The Queen’s reign and key cultural moments from the past 70 years. 

 

Want to get involved? Here’s what to watch, book and where to visit now…

Jubilee Joust At Hampton Court Palace
Jubilee Joust At Hampton Court Palace

WATCH

The Platinum Jubilee Celebration at Royal Festival Hall

Three esteemed musical groups will come together for a special one-off performance to celebrate the Jubilee. The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the Royal Choral Society and The Bach Choir will be joined by soloists to perform music by Handel, Schubert, Vaughan Williams, Purcell and more. Tickets start from £19.50. 

Saturday 4th June at 2.30pm; Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX

Visit SouthbankCentre.co.uk

Jubilee Joust At Hampton Court Palace

Hampton Court Palace is hosting a jousting contest on Palace grounds in which knights will compete in a five-day tournament to win the coveted Jubilee Cup. Expect medieval costumes, pageantry and pop-up food stalls around the gardens. Little ones can enjoy the Magic Garden, while adults explore the 60-acre estate. 

Wednesday 1st-Sunday 5th June; Hampton Court Way, East Molesey, KT8 9AU

Visit Hpr.org.uk

Prom In The Park

The 60-strong Ealing Symphony Orchestra will perform at Ealing Park. Visitors can bring a picnic and find a space on the lawns to listen to an evening of classical music. Food and drink will be available from stalls in the park; tickets are free. 

Sunday 5th June at 7.30pm; Walpole Park, Mattock Lane, Ealing, W5 5EQ

Visit Eventbrite.co.uk

Mayfair Jubilee Street Party
Mayfair Jubilee Street Party

VISIT

Superbloom At The Tower of London

Over 20 million seeds have been sown in the Tower of London’s famous moat to create a beautiful floral display in time for the Jubilee. Designed to attract pollinators, Superbloom is a new biodiverse habitat in the city which has been created to change with the seasons. Victors can walk around the display or grab a mat and slide down into the moat on the Superbloom slide. Tickets start from £12. 

Wednesday 1st June-Sunday 18th September; The Tower of London, City, EC3N 4AB

Visit HRP.org.uk

Presence By Rob Munday At 45 Park Lane

One of the world’s leading holographic artists, Rob Munday, has opened an exhibition at 45 Park Lane. Visitors can view a never-seen-before portrait of The Queen, as well as large-scale light sculptures that explore themes of entity, reality and the essence of existence. Look out for works of other famous faces, from film stars to musicians. Tickets are free.

Until Monday 20th June; 45 Park Lane, Mayfair, W1K 1PN

Visit DorchesterCollection.com

A Royal Weekend By British Pullman

British Pullman by Belmond has created a special experience for guests who want to relax aboard the art-deco train and see Windsor from the comfort of a luxury carriage. It includes a round-trip from London Victoria Station to Windsor (passing through the scenic Surrey countryside), afternoon tea with savoury treats and pastries, a glass of Windsor Great Park sparkling wine from the Queen’s own estate, and a bespoke copy of Luminary Bakery’s Rising Hope cookbook. From £340pp.

Sunday 5th June; Victoria Station, Victoria, SW1E 5ND

Visit Belmond.com

Mayfair Jubilee Street Party

Mayfair is hosting a two-day street party to toast the Queen’s 70-year reign. For the first time, North Audley Street will be pedestrianised, and the party will run from Grosvenor Square to Oxford Street. Guests can sit at a 200ft banqueting table with wildflowers and beautiful table settings (curated by Lay London) to eat Jubilee-themed dishes from local restaurants, including a pop-up stall by The Biltmore Hotel which will serve buttermilk fried chicken sandwiches. Expect live entertainment and family activities including an 'arty soft play' in Grosvenor Square. Tickets are free.

Thursday 2nd-Friday 3rd June from midday-7pm; North Audley Street, Mayfair, W1K 6HX

Visit MayfairLdn.com

A Royal Weekend By British Pullman
A Royal Weekend By British Pullman
Chatsworth Estate x Sotheby’s, Mayfair
Chatsworth Estate x Sotheby’s, Mayfair, @HAYDONPERRIOR

EAT & DRINK

Fortnum & Mason Tea Salon, St James’s

Fortnum & Mason will serve a Platinum Jubilee menu in its Tea Salon to celebrate the royal occasion. The classic afternoon tea (£70pp) includes dishes like smoked salmon blinis with crème fraiche; a selection of royal-inspired finger sandwiches like coronation chicken; plain and fruit scones with jam, lemon curd and clotted cream; and a selection of patisserie treats. Treat yourself to a glass of champagne or the ‘Jubilee Beacon Cocktail’ made with The Queen’s favourite drinks, including gin, Dubonnet and Royal Tokaji.

Until Sunday 31st July; 181 Piccadilly, St James’s, W1A 1ER

Visit FortnumAndMason.com

Scott’s, Mayfair

Scott’s in Mayfair has gone all out with Jubilee treats on the menu and a replica of The Queen’s golden carriage outside the restaurant, complete with suited footmen and four white horses. Diners can tuck into the ‘Platinum Jubilee Dubonnet & Raspberry Trifle’ made with Dubonnet and gin jelly, fresh raspberries, sponge fingers, vanilla and elderflower custard, whipped cream, and raspberries. There’s also ‘The Queen’s’ cocktail with Dubonnet, Plymouth gin, Pedro Ximenes Sherry and crème de framboise.

From Monday 30th May-Sunday 5th June, 20 Mount Street, Mayfair, W1K 2HE

Visit Scotts-Restaurant.com

Chatsworth Estate x Sotheby’s, Mayfair

Chatsworth Estate in the Peak District has teamed up with Sotheby’s to serve Jubilee-themed dishes in the auction house’s Mayfair restaurant. Dishes include gin-cured salmon with horseradish cream and pickled beetroot; lamb chops with salsa fresca; asparagus and broad bean risotto; classic Bakewell tart with clotted cream; and summer berry pavlova with chantilly cream. There’s also a Chatsworth gin cocktail made from the estate’s own dry gin.

From Saturday 28th May-Friday 15th July; 34-35 New Bond Street, West End; W1S 2RP

Visit Sothebys.com

The Ivy Tower Bridge, The City

The Ivy Tower Bridge has something for everyone, from limited-edition royal-themed cocktails to a Platinum Crown dessert and special afternoon tea. Expect bunting, Jubilee-themed installations and ‘The Queen’s Guard’ standing to attention on the door ready for selfies. Drinks-wise, we like the sound of the ‘Boudica’ cocktail made with Pimm’s, Tanqueray 10, crème de pêche, lime juice and ginger ale; and ‘The Virgin Queen’ featuring Seedlip Grove, honey syrup and lime juice. A new afternoon tea (£26.95pp) includes sandwiches, cakes and warm fruit scones with clotted cream, fresh strawberries and jam.

From Thursday 2nd June; One Tower Bridge, Tower Bridge Road, SE1 2AA

Visit TheIvyTowerBridge.com

Petersham Nurseries, Richmond
Petersham Nurseries, Richmond
Scott’s, Mayfair
Scott’s, Mayfair

The Ritz x Nyetimber, St James’s

The Ritz and English sparkling wine brand Nyetimber have teamed up for a special Jubilee celebration. For one day only, diners can enjoy afternoon tea for just £35pp on Nyetimber’s Routemaster which will be parked on Jermyn Street. It includes a glass of Nyetimber wine, a selection of finger sandwiches, a freshly baked scone with Cornish clotted cream and strawberry jam, and a petit gateau of strawberry with vanilla chantilly cream. O

Saturday 4th June; 150 Piccadilly, St James’s, W1J 9BR

Visit TheRitzLondon.com

Bluebird Chelsea, Chelsea

Bluebird Chelsea will become the unofficial ‘Queen’s Road’ for the duration of the Jubilee celebrations. The terrace has been transformed with a beautiful floral display with a giant teacup where diners can enjoy a special afternoon tea featuring a treacle tart and crown Battenberg cake alongside a selection of finger sandwiches and scones. There’s also a street party on Saturday 4th June with two Buckingham Palace guards, a live band, DJ, kids’ entertainment and free-flowing canapés. Tickets cost £50 for adults and £25 for children.

Until Sunday 5th June; 350 King’s Road, Chelsea, SW3 5UU

Visit Bluebird-Restaurant.co.uk

Petersham Nurseries, Richmond

Petersham Nurseries is hosting a two-day fête with street food, entertainment and competitions for little ones. Walk through the beautiful installation of seasonal plants and flowers to get to the stalls, which will sell finger food classics such as coronation chicken sandwiches, scotch eggs, sausage rolls, and homemade piadine (grilled Italian flatbreads). There will also be a barbecue, cocktail stall, cream tea station and a cake stand for sweet treats, strawberries and cream, and homemade ice-cream. Make a day of it and stock up on treats before heading down to the river for a picnic.

Friday 3rd-Saturday 4th June; Off Church Lane, Petersham Road, Richmond, TW10 7AB

Visit PetershamNurseries.com

Covent Garden Piazza, Covent Garden

Covent Garden Piazza is throwing a Jubilee extravaganza with street food, pop-ups and entertainment. The piazza will be transformed with thousands of Union Jack flags, bunting and floral arrangements. Expect food and drink pop-ups from Aperol and Feast It, plus complimentary glasses of fizz from Vashi, Charlotte Tilbury and Floral by Lima. Special afternoon teas will be served at several Covent Garden restaurants including Petersham Nurseries, The Ivy Market Grill, Mariage Frères and Lilly’s Café.

Wednesday 1st-Sunday 5th June; Cranbourn Street, Covent Garden WC2H 7AR

Visit CoventGarden.London

Ganymede, Belgravia

Ganymede is throwing a street party on Belgravia’s Elizabeth Street where diners can tuck into royal-inspired food and drink and enjoy entertainment including live swing music, horse and carriage rides and activities for little ones. Choose from lobster rolls and salads alongside English sparkling wine by Coates & Seely, plus cocktails, craft beers and ales. Take pictures in the photobooth before listening to the national anthem performed by a professional singer. 

Sunday 5th June; 139 Ebury Street, Belgravia, SW1W 9QU

Visit GanymedeLondon.co.uk

Fashion. Beauty. Culture. Life. Home
Delivered to your inbox, daily