It bears the name of the monarch and is a stone's throw from the walls of Buckingham Palace. So it was only natural that Elizabeth Street in central London would go all out to mark the occasion when the British queen reaches the milestone of 70 years on the throne.
The thoroughfare, dotted with elegant shops and restaurants, will be en fete for a day with a flamboyant display of admiration for its namesake, Queen Elizabeth II, to mark her platinum jubilee.
Nestled in the affluent district of Belgravia and three blocks west of the royal headquarters at Buckingham Palace, Elizabeth Street's residents and businesses are gearing up to mark the jubilee with a street party.
The festivities scheduled for Sunday, June 5 will be part of nationwide celebrations to hail the landmark reached by the only British monarch to reign for seven decades.
After the terraced row has been decked out in Union flags and with trestle tables laid out for guests, a horse-drawn carriage will roll in to offer free rides to locals and visitors. A 1950s bus will be on display, a nod to the era during which the monarch ascended the throne, when she was 25, while younger guests will be entertained with a puppet show and face painting.
Angela Hay, chairwoman of the Belgravia Traders’ Association and organiser of the event, said the party, which will run from 11am to 5.30pm, will be a chance for locals and visitors to come together to celebrate the occasion in style. In recent decades, areas such as Camden and Shoreditch in north London set the trends in the city but the area leaders see this as a chance for a display of class.
“We’re going quite traditional,” Ms Hay told The National. “We didn’t want to do some sort of edgy, Shoreditch-style event, because that’s not Belgravia.
“We’re the nearest street party to Buckingham Palace. I think it’s hugely significant Elizabeth Street, which is the heart of Belgravia, is named after the queen.
“There is something for everybody. It’s open to all, everyone is invited. There are things going on at Buckingham Palace and we’re a five-minute walk away … come down and partake of the atmosphere here as well.
A group of Chelsea Pensioners — former British Army soldiers — will be on hand to join people in singing the national anthem, played by a brass band, at 1.45pm.
Eccleston Yards will host a pop-up food court, including a barbecue where dishes will be served with napkins printed with local schoolchildren’s jubilee-themed artwork.
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Workers add the final parts to the Tree of Trees sculpture, part of the Queen's Green Canopy Project. The sculpture, which will stand outside Buckingham Palace for the duration of the queen's platinum jubilee celebrations, consists of 350 native British trees planted in aluminium pots. Getty Images -
Thomas Heatherwick, designer of the Tree of Trees sculpture, poses in front of Buckingham Palace. AFP -
Royal superfan John Loughrey jumps for joy on The Mall, near Buckingham Palace, London, where he is already camped out for a prime position to view the platinum jubilee celebrations. PA -
Model-maker Paula Young places a Lego replica of Queen Elizabeth II in a display replicating the royal balcony scene at Buckingham Palace for the Legoland platinum jubilee display in Windsor. PA -
British Union flags are on display at Kirby Estate in London. EPA -
The gold state coach passes the Houses of Parliament during an early morning rehearsal through London for Sunday's platinum jubilee pageant. PA -
Workers hang bunting outside a hotel in central London. Reuters -
Voyager and Rivet Joint aircraft perform in the sky for the queen's platinum jubilee fly-past rehearsal in Sleaford. EPA -
A view from a cockpit during the rehearsal. PA -
Royal Marines drummers play for residents of Church Hill near Birmingham. The nationwide celebrations will mark the 70th anniversary of the queen's accession to the throne. PA -
The 15-kilogram Queen's Platinum Jubilee coin, made with fine gold, is the largest coin made by the Royal Mint, produced in celebration of her 70-year milestone. PA -
Chelsea Pensioners Ted Fell, left, and George Reid pose as they view 'The Queen's Platinum Jubilee' display by Simon Lycett at Chelsea Flower Show in London. Reuters -
Union flags are displayed along The Mall in London. AP -
Fiona Baxter makes Union flags at the Flying Colours Flagmakers factory in Knaresborough. Getty Images -
People stand underneath Union Jack flags hanging in Covent Garden, London. Reuters -
Construction work at Buckingham Palace in London before Queen Elizabeth II's platinum jubilee. EPA -
A display paying homage to Queen Elizabeth II is shown outside the Sloane Club in London, as part of 'Chelsea in Bloom'. AP -
One of eight London buses given a purple makeover to celebrate the jubilee makes its way across central London. PA -
Jemma Melvin poses in Fortnum and Mason, central London, with her lemon Swiss roll trifle that beat 5,000 desserts to become the official pudding of the jubilee celebrations. PA -
A man has his photograph taken next to a life-size cardboard cut-out of Queen Elizabeth II displayed in a shop in Windsor. Getty Images -
Flags designed by British fashion illustrator Anjelica Roselyn on display across South Molton Street in Mayfair to celebrate the jubilee. PA -
People pass a shop window display commemorating the platinum jubilee in Windsor. Getty Images -
A knitted figure of the queen is displayed on top of a post box in Wallasey. Reuters -
Temporary structures are built around Buckingham Palace for the celebrations. Reuters -
Linda Bainbridge and Miyuki Griffin put finishing touches to The Crown, Orb and Sceptre exhibit as part of 'A Festival of Flowers' at Salisbury Cathedral. PA -
A glittering banner stretches across Carnaby Street shopping district in London. EPA -
Lewis Wilde from Selkirk tests a gas-fuelled beacon he has made to signal the start of the celebrations, which will culminate with a four-day bank holiday in June. PA -
The gold state coach stands in the Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace. The coach will be used as part of the jubilee celebrations. Getty Images -
Union flags decorate a street Mayfair, London. EPA -
Puppet-maker Louise Jones puts the finishing touches to her group of corgis, each based on past and present royal corgis, for the platinum jubilee pageant. AP Photo -
Grounds staff change bedding plants outside Buckingham Palace. Getty Images -
A member of the Royal Air Force Air Cadets holding the Commonwealth of Nations' Globe on its arrival at the Tower of London. It will be on display until June 2, when it will be used to light Buckingham Palace's principal beacon. PA -
Power stilt artist Bouncy Bruce performs at the final unveiling of the platinum jubilee pageant at Bafta in London's West End. Reuters -
Workers place a decorative crown at the top of a flag pole facing Buckingham Palace. Reuters -
Abbey Marshall Leticia Edwards looks out at the view from the Henry VII roof of Westminster Abbey, which will be open to the public for the first time for guided tours, as part of its plans to celebrate the jubilee. PA -
Members of the Household Cavalry during a musical ride rehearsal at Hyde Park in London for the Royal Windsor horse show, as part of the jubilee celebration. Reuters -
A gardener sows seeds into the moat surrounding the Tower of London that will grow into a 'superbloom' display to celebrate the jubilee later this year. Reuters -
Gilder Claire Wright applies gold paint by hand as she works to produce a platinum jubilee commemorative beaker for Goviers, as part of its Royal Commemoratives collection. AFP -
Members of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment take part in the Maj Gen's Inspection in Hyde Park. The ceremonial unit must pass the inspection to take part in state duties. EPA
Hatters head the party
Businesses along Elizabeth Street will have their shop fronts bedecked in royal regalia. The stretch is home to a string of household names including renowned interior designer Joanna Wood and Philip Treacy, the Irish milliner whose creations have become synonymous with royal ladies’ headwear.
His hats have been worn by the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duchess of Cambridge, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.
As a tribute to the queen's late father, King George VI, Mr Treacy and his staff will decorate the shop window with antique ribbons originally used to celebrate the 1937 coronation of the former monarch.
The blue, white and red-striped ribbons were used to carry the King George Coronation Medal, which was distributed to thousands of citizens.
The well-known hatmaker said tourists “from all over the planet” visit Elizabeth Street for a taste of its uniqueness.
“It is the most beautiful street in London and people have always been attracted to Elizabeth Street,” he told The National.
“I am one of three milliners on Elizabeth Street, which has had milliners since the 1900s.
“We attract a lot of foreigners and our little shop is becoming one of London’s little attractions.
“Our store will be festooned in vintage coronation ribbons. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience in honour of her majesty the queen.”
Local resident Themis, 50, said having lived in Belgravia for 20 years, he often forgets just how significant the area is for tourists and fans of the royal family.
His admiration for the British monarchy dates back to a first-hand encounter he had with the Queen Mother in 1957 when she visited The King’s School in Canterbury, Kent, when he was a 15-year-old pupil.
“I met the Queen Mother and it was special,” he said.
He plans to attend his local street party if he and his family end up staying in London for the weekend instead of travelling to their second home in Oxfordshire.
“It’s amazing,” he said of the queen’s historical reign. “She seems like she’s on some special juice. I am hoping to attend the party if I’m here for it.”
Another local man, Jonathan, said he plans to travel to Spain for the long weekend and partake in the royal celebrations at a jubilee party.
“I am getting out of here because it’s too busy,” he said. “I like living here but there’s always too much traffic when these things happen.”
Royalist redoubt
His friend James said he too would be marking the historic occasion well away from the crowds of London.
“I swore allegiance to the queen and served in the army for 26 years,” said the veteran of the British Army. “I am a royalist and I will be having a drink to celebrate the jubilee.”
The events offer people a chance to take part in an occasion unlikely to be repeated, Ms Hay said. “I hope it makes them remember the occasion because I think those big historical events are wonderful to look back on and remember,” she said. “I hope they remember having a lovely day in a lovely place. We want them to see the best of what London can be — I think Belgravia is very much part of that.”
The gathering, sponsored by Grosvenor Estates, the Cleveland Clinic and the Peninsula Hotel, will be only one of thousands of parties across the UK on June 5 as part of The Big Jubilee Lunch celebrations.
Seventy years on from the monarch’s ascension, many of the older generations still recall the exuberant street parties they attended, and where they watched the coronation on black-and-white TV.
“I don’t think anyone who is alive today will in this country see another monarch who stays for 70 years,” Ms Hay said. “It’s extremely doubtful [because] it’s a very unusual thing. She became queen when she was very young and it doesn’t look like that’s going to happen to anyone for a very long time now. So anyone walking around the UK now, this is it, the only time you’ll get to celebrate 70 years of a monarch.”
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Queen Elizabeth II is celebrating her platinum jubilee in 2022. 'The National' looks back at jubilee celebrations during her reign. All photos: Getty Images -
A portrait of the queen is displayed on the large screen at Piccadilly Circus in London to mark the start of the platinum jubilee in February. -
Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Charles, Queen Elizabeth, Prince William, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Price Harry wave to the crowds from Buckingham Palace during the diamond jubilee celebrations in June 2012. -
Queen Elizabeth is joined on stage by Prince Charles and performers during the diamond jubilee celebrations at a Buckingham Palace concert in June 2012. -
Queen Elizabeth arrives at St Paul's Cathedral for a service of thanksgiving in June 2012 to mark her diamond jubilee. -
Queen Elizabeth meets Sir Elton John, Sir Cliff Richard, Dame Shirley Bassey, Sir Tom Jones and Sir Paul McCartney backstage after the diamond jubilee Buckingham Palace concert in June 2012. -
Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge on board the 'Spirit of Chartwell' during the diamond jubilee pageant on the River Thames in June 2012. -
British expatriates living in New Delhi, India, take rides on Rupa, a rented elephant, at an event to celebrate the diamond jubilee at the British High Commission in June 2012. -
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip attend a diamond jubilee event at Stormont in Belfast, Northern Ireland. -
The queen's barge 'Spirit of Chartwell' passes under Tower Bridge in London, as part of her diamond jubilee Pageant on the River Thames. -
Queen Elizabeth chats to people attending a street party in Sunderland, north-east England as part of her diamond jubilee tour in July 2012. -
Members of the public admire a large floral crown made to mark the diamond jubilee in St James's Park, London in May 2012. -
The queen receives flowers from members of the public in Victoria Square, Birmingham during her diamond jubilee visit in July 2012. -
Members of the public cheer and wave flags as Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip embark from Chelsea Harbour in London on the first part of their jubilee river pageant to celebrate the diamond jubilee in June 2012. -
Queen Elizabeth meets members of the public during a visit to Leeds, northern England to celebrate her diamond jubilee in July 2012. -
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip ride in the Golden State Carriage at the head of a parade from Buckingham Palace to St Paul's Cathedral celebrating her golden jubilee in June 2002. -
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip watch a fireworks display to celebrate her golden jubilee at Buckingham Palace in June 2002. -
Queen Elizabeth is welcomed to Wells, south-west England during a tour of the UK in May 2002 to celebrate her golden jubilee. -
Queen Elizabeth and her family wave to the crowd from the balcony of Buckingham Palace during celebrations of her golden jubilee in June 2002. -
Lina Sultana, 8, has her face painted at a golden jubilee street party in June 2002 in Stepney, east London. -
A dog sports a Union flag during the golden jubilee celebrations in Stepney in 2002. -
Queen Elizabeth addresses the British Parliament in the run-up to her silver jubilee at Westminster Hall, London in May 1977. -
Residents in celebrate in Brixton, south London, after they won a competition for the best decorated street to celebrate the silver jubilee in June 1977. -
A double-decker bus in livery commemorating the silver jubilee on the Thames Embankment in London. -
A young boy holding two British flags and a cup with the jubilee logo, celebrates the silver jubilee in Trafalgar Square, central London in June 1977. -
Vic Hiscoke shows his support of the British monarch during her silver jubilee in June 1977. -
Queen Elizabeth in Deptford, south-east London, during a walkabout to commemorate her silver jubilee in June 1977. -
People celebrate the silver jubilee in Fulham, south-west London in May 1977. -
A Scots Guard takes a picture during the silver jubilee celebrations at Buckingham Palace. -
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip on the River Thames travelling from Greenwich to Lambeth, London in June 1977.
Millions of people in Britain and the Commonwealth will celebrate the monarch’s historic reign during four official days of celebration from June 2 to June 5.
The queen, who has appeared in public displaying mobility issues in recent months, will be joined by senior members of the royal family on the Buckingham Palace balcony at Trooping the Colour on Thursday, June 2. The annual queen’s birthday procession at Horse Guards Parade will feature more than 1,400 soldiers and 200 horses.
The palace last week announced that Prince Harry, Meghan and Prince Andrew will not be present on the balcony, although they are expected to join in celebrations behind the scenes. All three are no longer classed as working members of Britain's royal family.
A service of thanksgiving for the queen’s reign will take place on Friday, June 3 at St Paul’s Cathedral in central London, where 400 musicians will perform.
The following day the monarch and family members will attend the Derby at Epsom Downs Racecourse. Later that day famous musicians from around the world will play at Buckingham Palace in an event attended by thousands of spectators.
The celebrations culminate on Sunday, June 5 when a day of festivities includes nationwide The Big Jubilee Lunch in cities, towns and villages across Britain.
Kensington and Chelsea Council in west London will host a tea party for over 50s on June 5, as well as a series of street parties for people of all ages.
A collection of locally produced artwork celebrating significant events from the past 70 years will go on display at the Civic Gallery at Kensington Town Hall. Restaurants, cafes, bars and hotels in the borough will add jubilee-themed dishes to their menu for the weekend, capitalising on the four-day holiday that is expected to draw tourists from around the world.
London’s Mayfair district will host a two-day summer fete on June 2 and June 3 to toast the queen’s milestone.
North Audley Street, from Grosvenor Square to Oxford Street, will be closed to traffic to make way for a spectacular 60-metre banqueting table adorned with greenery and flowers, including the celebrated Queen Elizabeth rose. Revellers will have the chance to sample dishes from some of the district’s hottest venues, including creations from The Beaumont Hotel, Mercato Mayfair and The Biltmore Hotel.
Debbie Lee, interim executive director of London Estate, said: “We are beyond excited to deliver this event in our neighbourhood, which promises to showcase the immensity of what Mayfair has to offer, both to its own community and visitors from all over the world.
“After two years of hardship, we’re ready to celebrate the best of the summer, coming together as one to honour the long reign of our remarkable monarch.”
