The essential :
- Since 2015, Elizabeth II has held the record for the longest reign of a British monarch – until then Queen Victoria. At the beginning of June, at the age of 96, she celebrates her 70 years of reign: it is the first platinum jubilee in the history of the British crown.
- Many celebrations are planned in London and across the country during this four-day weekend for the English. The festivities begin with Trooping the Color this Thursday morning, a military parade around Buckingham Palace.
- The Queen is expected to wave to the crowd from the palace balcony, along with her family. Her deteriorating state of health has caused many concerns in recent months, but the monarch wanted to reassure her subjects by making a few public appearances before the jubilee.
- In a two-minute video, Emmanuel Macron honored “a close ally”. The French president hailed “the constant presence” of the monarch, “source of wisdom”, with the successive leaders of France over the past 70 years.

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3:19 p.m. – Upcoming festivities
Thursday was marked by the queen’s greetings from the royal palace, surrounded by the royal family, as well as a large parade. The festivities continue for the next three days.
On Friday, a mass is organized at Saint Paul’s Cathedral in London in honor of Elizabeth II. On this occasion, the bell of the Grand Paul will ring.
Saturday, the atmosphere will be more festive than the day before. The Queen will initially attend, depending on her form, the 243rd edition of the Epsom Derby, one of the most prestigious horse races. In the evening, she will go to the royal palace, where a big party is organized, the “BBC Platinum Party”. Prestigious guests are expected, like Elton John, and big names in music must perform, like Alicia Keys or Andrea Bocelli.
On Sunday, a large festive parade will be organized in central London to close this platinum jubilee. Nearly 10,000 musicians, artists and dancers will parade. These four days will finally end with a performance of “God Save the Queen”, conducted by Ed Sheeran, in front of Buckingham Palace.
3:21 p.m. – Light signals across the UK
The festivities continue this Thursday after the Queen’s appearance at Buckingham Palace. More than 2,800 light signals must be lit at the royal palace but also throughout the United Kingdom. These light signals will shine from the four highest peaks in the country, several bridges along the Thames. The 54 capitals of the Commonwealth will do the same.
3:00 p.m. – An imposing device for the Queen’s Jubilee
In addition to the air force, the British army deployed more than 1,400 soldiers and 250 horses to celebrate the seventy years of reign of Elizabeth II.
More than 1,400 soldiers and 250 horses from the British Army’s Household Division have taken part in the Trooping of the Color in front of thousands of spectators, for Her Majesty The Queen’s #PlatinumJubilee celebrations.
Read more: https://t.co/IExVJQSvL5 pic.twitter.com/DtsF2iO1wp
— British Army (@BritishArmy) June 2, 2022
2:35 p.m. – The Queen greets the crowd one last time
Surrounded by the royal family, Elizabeth II greeted the crowd one last time from the balcony of Buckingham Palace before returning to the palace.
▶ #GodSavetheQueen !
#ElizabethIIOneLifeOneReign @GUELAUD >https://t.co/e7ZYMftSwJ pic.twitter.com/l0rfejijuf
— TF1Info (@TF1Info) June 2, 2022
2:29 p.m. – The impressive performance of British airmen
Typhoon fighter jets flew over London forming a ’70’ in honor of Elizabeth II’s 70-year reign.
Extraordinary ! Typhoon fighter jets form a “70” in honor of#ElizabethIIall smiles
#ElizabethIIOneLifeOneReign @GUELAUD >https://t.co/e7ZYMftSwJ pic.twitter.com/AlRwyXP5yH
— TF1Info (@TF1Info) June 2, 2022
2:23 p.m. – Princes Andrew and Harry as well as Meghan Markle dismissed
While the entire royal family appeared on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, three members were not admitted: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, as well as Prince Andrew. They are in another building to attend the ceremony.
2:10 p.m. – The cannon shots have been fired
A salvo sounded in London, just before the appearance of the royal family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace. From the Tower of London and Hyde Park, 124 cannon shots were fired.
124 cannon shots fired in honor of Elizabeth II #PlatinumJubilee pic.twitter.com/yVmxNd6KGH
— BFMTV (@BFMTV) June 2, 2022
Tea #PlatinumJubilee celebrations have begun At 1pm, @HACRegiment fired an incredible 124-round gun salute from the Tower.
62 rounds to celebrate Her Majesty The Queen’s coronation
62 rounds for Her Majesty’s official birthday pic.twitter.com/GlU6ywUM3f— The Tower of London (@TowerOfLondon) June 2, 2022
1:54 p.m. – The royal family gathered at Buckingham Palace
The sovereign made a new appearance on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, in the company of the royal family.
Symbolic. And here is THE photo of the royal family, who attends the air parade from the balcony of Buckingham!
#ElizabethIIOneLifeOneReign @GUELAUD >https://t.co/e7ZYMftSwJ pic.twitter.com/Q27W9pmn06
— TF1Info (@TF1Info) June 2, 2022
1:42 p.m. – Elizabeth II only stayed 10 minutes in front of the crowd
As soon as she arrived on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, Queen Elizabeth II already returned to the interior of the palace. She remained less than ten minutes to greet the crowd.
1:35 p.m. – Camilla, Kate and her children arrive together in a horse-drawn carriage
Camilla, the second wife of Prince Charles, arrived by horse-drawn carriage at Buckingham Palace. She is accompanied by Kate Middleton and her three children: George, Charlotte and Louis.
Camilla, Kate and their three children arrive at Buckingham Palace by horse-drawn carriage pic.twitter.com/jIl77G233B
— BFMTV (@BFMTV) June 2, 2022
1:10 p.m. – Elizabeth II acclaimed from her balcony
The queen has just arrived on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, the crowd is jubilant.
Elizabeth II Jubilee: The Queen appears on the balcony of Buckingham Palace#PlatinumJubilee pic.twitter.com/4UtjN3obdD
— BFMTV (@BFMTV) June 2, 2022
12:24 p.m. – The English anthem resounds in the enclosure of the Horse Guards Parade
On horseback, Princes Charles and William and Princess Anne listened attentively to the national anthem God Save the Queen, in honor of their mother and grandmother. A few meters away, among the prestigious guests lifted from their seats, Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his wife could be seen.
11:57 a.m. – Princes Charles and William and Princess Anne on horseback
Leading the way for the two royal carriages, Prince Charles, Princess Anne and Prince William led the procession, perched on their mount. For the first time in 70 years, it will be Prince Charles, and not Queen Elizabeth II, who will review the troops at Horse Guards Parade.
The Prince of Wales with the Duke of Cambridge and the Princess Royal begin their procession to Horse Guards Parade for Trooping the Color pic.twitter.com/OnVCrgRCkw
— Platinum Jubilee News (@Platinum2022) June 2, 2022
11:53 a.m. – A second carriage for the royal family
In a second open pram, Edward and Sophie of Wessex paraded with their children Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn.
Members of The Royal Family depart Buckingham Palace as they travel towards Horse Guards Parade for Trooping the Colour. #PlatinumJubilee #HM70 pic.twitter.com/vwJsVu6mzZ
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) June 2, 2022
11:45 a.m. – Camilla Parker Bowles and Kate Middleton join the procession in a carriage
In a first carriage, Camilla Parker Bowles, Duchess of Cornwall and wife of Prince Charles, appeared alongside Kate Middleton and her three children: Georges (8 years old), Charlotte (7 years old) and Louis (4 years old) .
▶ The carriages leave Buckingham. In the first, are installed Camilla, Kate and her children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis
#ElizabethIIOneLifeOneReign @GUELAUD > https://t.co/9EIBlsaHVL pic.twitter.com/D84jGmI0hx
— TF1Info (@TF1Info) June 2, 2022