Celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in London

To honor the Queen’s 70 years on the throne, London put on a celebration fit for royalty—and its fans.

As the balcony doors slowly opened, and a figure in bright green stepped out, the palpable thrill in the air reached a tremendous fever pitch that enveloped me with a level of excitement I never imagined. There she stood, Her Majesty The Queen—an iconic moment witnessed at Buckingham Palace, flanked by her family.

The momentous occasion on Sunday afternoon marked the grand finale of the four-day Queen’s Platinum Jubilee weekend, honoring Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-reigning British monarch, for her 70 years of service. With thousands gathered along The Mall, a chorus of “God Save the Queen” broke out as she waved to the crowd after the Platinum Jubilee Pageant—a spectacular two-and-a-half-hour parade reflecting her extraordinary reign.

A Personal Experience in London

The moment was especially poignant since the 96-year-old had not attended any of the weekend’s events since Thursday, and her appearance had been in question, highlighted by a hologram waving from the Gold State Carriage at the start of the parade. However, Her Royal Highness never disappoints, and her brief appearance became instantly historic.

Throughout my time in London, it became clear that the nation holds the Queen in the highest regard. The love for her was evident everywhere—from Union Jack attire worn by the public to shops selling her bobblehead dolls and adorable corgi plushies. Even iconic landmarks joined in the festivities, like The Dorchester, which served a Platinum Jubilee-themed afternoon tea, and Galvin at Windows offering a seven-course celebratory meal as a tribute to her reign.

Festivities and Events

Regrettably, I missed the initial day’s celebrations due to a canceled flight, but upon landing in London, I rushed to St. Paul’s Cathedral. I arrived just in time to glimpse the Royal Family as they exited after the Service of Thanksgiving. Notably, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made their first UK appearance in over two years.

The crowd was filled with kindness as one stranger offered to share footage due to my height disadvantage in the throng of people. This evoked an immediate sense of camaraderie over the shared moment, which truly showcased the love and respect for the Queen among her subjects.

The next day, I managed to acquire a ticket to the BBC’s Platinum Party at the Palace—a concert featuring artists like Andrea Bocelli, Rod Stewart, and Diana Ross. However, the highlight for me was a humorous video introduction featuring the Queen and Paddington Bear, enjoying tea and marmalade sandwiches, which perfectly set the tone for the festivities.

As performers captivated the audience, my attention was equally drawn to the Royal Family in the front row of the Royal Box, where moments of joy unfolded as Charlotte and George waved flags in rhythm with the music.

On the final day of celebrations, the Big Jubilee Lunch featured over 60,000 meals in honor of the occasion. I attended a street party in Belgravia, hosted by a local bar where traditional puppetry entertained the children while adults enjoyed the festive atmosphere.

After the street party, I returned to Buckingham Palace, finding myself in a prime location to see the Royal Family once more. I observed the kids engaging with Prince Charles and delighting in the parade’s visuals, including intricately designed floats and celebrity appearances.

Overall, the four-day celebration showcased British pride and affection for an iconic figure who has touched many lives. The warmth and kindness exhibited by everyone attending were palpable, from friendly security personnel to police officers thanking us for joining the festivities. It was an event that resonated deeply within the hearts of those present, a true reflection of love for the Queen on this remarkable occasion.