What is the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee?

We love any excuse to celebrate an occasion, but pair it with the royals (the Queen especially) and a four-day long bank holiday weekend, and you can certainly count us in. You might have heard that the queen will be celebrating her Platinum Jubilee this year, but wondering what is it all about?

Well, the short answer is that this year Her Majesty the Queen became the first British Monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee, marking a huge 70 years of service to the people of the United Kingdom, the Realms, and the Commonwealth.

When is the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee?

The Queen officially succeeded to the throne on 6th February 1952, after the death of her father, King George VI, and she was crowned on 2nd June 1953 in Westminster Abbey. This historic event will be celebrated throughout the year. The main celebration consists of a four-day UK bank holiday weekend from Thursday 2nd June to Sunday 5th June, providing opportunities for communities and people around the UK to come together to celebrate this historic milestone.

How can we celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee?

We will be celebrating in style, and to mark this historic event, Sophie has designed a commemorative mug, tea towel set and small tray, all of which make excellent gift ideas for royal fans or something to cherish for years to come.

There will be events all around the country for the bank holiday weekend, with street parties, live music, parades and markets, just to name a few. Looking for something local to you? Head to https://platinumjubilee.gov.uk/events/ to see what’s planned in your area.

8 Facts About the Queen: 

1. The Queen became the first Sovereign in over 200 years to ascend to the throne whilst abroad. She was in Kenya on 6th February 1952.
2. She was only 25 years old when she ascended the throne and 27 years old at her coronation. Her coronation took place 16 months after she succeeded the throne. This is because of the tradition of allowing an appropriate length of time to pass after a monarch dies.
3. She is the longest-reigning monarch.
4. The BBC covered the Queen’s coronation, and it was a breakthrough for the history of broadcasting. It was the first service to be televised, with 27 million people in the UK (out of 36 million) watching. 
   
5. The Queen's favourite dogs are corgis. She has owned over 30 during her reign, and the most she has ever owned at once is 13!
6. She is the only person in the UK who doesn’t need a driving licence.
7. The Queen has two birthdays. Her actual birthday is 21st April, whilst her official birthday is held on a Saturday in June (when the weather is a little nicer).
8. She sent a message to the moon ahead of Apollo 11 in 1969, dozens of world leaders were invited to write a message that was transferred onto a small silicon disc. "On behalf of the British people, I salute the skill and courage which have brought man to the moon," the Queen wrote. "May this endeavour increase the knowledge and wellbeing of mankind." 
   

We'd love to hear how you will be celebrating the Queen's Jubilee, let us know in the comments below. Shop Sophie's Platinum Jubilee Range here!