Celebrations to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s 70 years on the throne will take place in June. – AFP pic
LONDON, Jan 10 — Inventing puddings and planting trees are just some of the things Britons are invited to do for Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee, events to mark her 70th anniversary on the throne that culminate in a “blockbuster weekend of celebrations” in June.
The 95-year-old, the longest-reigning monarch in British history, will add another milestone when she marks her Platinum Jubilee in February, with the government planning four days of celebrations from June 2-5.
Buckingham Palace said Britons aged 8 and over were encouraged to apply for a baking competition to find the “perfect Platinum Pudding recipe” dedicated to the queen, while some could also “plant a tree for the Jubilee”.
During the long holiday weekend in June, people will be able to see the trooping the colour in her birthday parade, a service of thanksgiving in London’s St Paul’s Cathedral, a party at the Palace among other events.
In November, culture minister Oliver Dowden said the four days of celebrations would be “a celebration to remember”.
Elizabeth, who is also the world’s current oldest and longest-reigning monarch, became queen on Feb. 6, 1952, on the death of her father George VI.
In September 2015, she overtook the length of time her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria had spent on the throne, remarking that the historical moment was “not one to which I have ever aspired”.
The plans are similar to those which marked the queen’s 60th anniversary in 2012 when Britain held four days of events in her honour, including a huge flotilla on the River Thames and capped off with a star-studded concert at Buckingham Palace. — Reuters