LONDON, Jan 10 — Pomp, pageantry and puddings will form the centrepiece of celebrations to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s 70 years on the throne, Buckingham Palace announced today.

The 95-year-old monarch’s Platinum Jubilee begins on February 6 — the date in 1952 when she became queen after the death of her father, King George VI.

Britain’s longest-serving monarch will be the only queen or king in the country’s long history to have ruled for 70 years.

Buckingham Palace officials unveiled a series of events to mark the occasion and reflect the Queen’s call for the celebrations to promote a mood of national unity.

Topping festivities that reflect national passions is a competition to create a new Jubilee pudding, with the winner chosen by judges including the palace head chef.

The head of state will also be presented with a digital map showing every tree planted as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy initiative.

The Queen and her eldest son and heir, Prince Charles, planted their own tree on the royal estate in Balmoral, northeast Scotland, last October.

The main celebrations will be held over a four-day long weekend, kicking off with public holidays on Thursday June 2 and Friday June 3.

On the Thursday, the Queen’s Birthday Parade will see more than 1,000 soldiers, horses and army musicians perform a Trooping of the Colour ceremony in central London.

The annual event in central London marks the Queen’s official birthday but has been cancelled for the last two years because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Continuing a tradition dating back hundreds of years, people will light beacons in over 1,500 towns, cities and villages across the country that evening.

On the Friday, there will be a service of thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral in London, followed up on the Saturday with a live concert featuring big-name stars.

More than 200,000 neighbourhood parties are expected to be held on Sunday June 5, as well as a street pageant in London featuring performers from across the Commonwealth. 

The dress and robes worn by the Queen at her coronation in 1953 will be on display at her Windsor Castle home west of London after the main events.

Positive headlines?

Royal officials will be hoping the events can generate more positive headlines after a slew of negative publicity in recent months.

The Queen’s second son, Prince Andrew, is facing a US civil claim for sexual assault and questions about his links to convicted sex offenders Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.

The monarch’s grandson, Prince Harry, is set to release his memoirs this year, with the family braced for fresh revelations after his criticisms last year.

The programme of mass Jubilee events makes no mention of Covid restrictions, which have curtailed royal engagements and other public duties since early 2020.

Queen Elizabeth II is only the second British monarch to celebrate silver, golden and diamond jubilees to mark 25, 50 and 60 years on the throne.

In 1977, her Silver Jubilee saw nationwide street parties and a procession — as well as the release of the Sex Pistols’ punk anthem "God Save The Queen”.

A highlight of the Golden Jubilee in 2002 was guitarist Brian May — from the rock band Queen — playing the national anthem on the roof of Buckingham Palace.

In 2012, a flotilla of 1,000 boats sailed down the River Thames to mark the 60th anniversary of her reign, helping to boost interest and support for the monarchy.

Soon afterwards, the Queen and her beloved corgis starred in a cameo alongside James Bond actor Daniel Craig at the opening ceremony of the London Olympics. — AFP