Residents of Windsor are no strangers to world-class events on their doorstep, but the royal town’s celebrations for Queen Elizabeth II’s platinum jubilee will be unlike any event in living memory.
The queen's 70-year reign will be marked in a unique way at parties in the shadow of Windsor Castle over the four-day bank holiday weekend which culminates in nationwide street parties and a festive pageant on Sunday.
Fireworks, a gigantic picnic, a classic car show and a centuries-old traditional “ox roast” are expected to draw the biggest numbers of royal fans to the town since Prince Harry and Meghan’s wedding in May 2018.
“We’ve had royal weddings, we’ve had royal funerals but they’re not unique,” Paul Roach, the Windsor town manager, told The National. "This particular occasion is unique in the true sense.
“People will want to celebrate and be part of what will be a unique occasion that certainly won’t happen [again] in our lifetime or in our children’s lifetime.
"So we’re going to try our best to mark the occasion for the unique occasion that it is.”
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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
‘If we surpass royal wedding numbers it will be an achievement’
About 130,000 royal fans lined gathered on the Long Walk in May 2018, many straining their necks in the hope of catching a glimpse of Prince Harry and his American wife on their wedding day.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s decision to be married in the small Berkshire town resulted in a major boost for Windsor’s businesses.
Mr Roach said that given the recent surge in tourism in the town after the lifting of Covid-19 and international travel restrictions, the jubilee celebrations could bring even greater numbers.
“There is an expectation that as the UK opens up to the rest of the world, that we will have international visitors,” he said.
“Our footfall is currently trending above what it was in 2019, pre-pandemic level. Added to that [are] events that we wouldn’t normally do, so the hope is our footfall will be higher.
“If we see the peak get higher than 2018 then that will be a real achievement. We’ve got a lot to look forward and there’s a bounce back. People will want to celebrate.”
While the organisers of such events are well rehearsed in catering for crowds, Mr Roach said trying to reduce the amount of waste generated remains a constant challenge.
Those in the mood to partake in celebrations are encouraged to bring their own food, drinks, cutlery and table cloths.
“If you look back at traditional street parties, you would go outside your front door, you’d bring food you provided, your own table cloth, your own napkins, your own fine china and cutlery, have your picnic and then go home," Mr Roach said.
"Other than the food waste part of it, you’re not generating plastic cups, knives and forks. The challenge for us is how do we make this the most sustainable event that we can have?”
“One of the things we’re trying to encourage, not just at our event but at all the events, is making sure they’re as sustainable as possible and that we’re not generating millions of tonnes of waste that will go into landfill. We’re trying to impress this upon everybody that comes.”
Thursday June 2
In keeping with royal jubilee tradition, an ox roast will be held on a green area known as Bachelor’s Acre to start the four-day festivities.
An ox was first roasted on the exact spot in October 1809 to celebrate King George III’s golden, or 50th, jubilee, and in 1887 the townsfolk gathered for a similar event to mark Queen Victoria’s 50 years on the throne.
This time it will be a little different, with vegetarian options available and a pop-up bar serving alcohol. The queen has agreed to donate the ox and proceeds of the gathering will go to charity.
Later that evening, royal fans will be invited to a beacon-lighting ceremony on the Long Walk outside the castle before the night sky will be lit up by fireworks.
Friday June 3
St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle will host a musical celebration of the queen’s seven decades of service.
Saturday June 4
The Long Walk, which stretches almost five kilometres from the castle to Copper Horse Statue, will host the Jubilee Picnic in the Park.
Seventy classic cars representing each year of the monarch’s historic reign will be parked up on the grass for revellers to admire, and local bands and singers will provide entertainment on a stage.
Giant TV screens will show live coverage of the jubilee party at Buckingham Palace. The event is free and booking is not required.
Across the river from Windsor, visitors will find Eton High Street transformed to host a traditional royal street party. All are welcome to attend but only those with tickets will be guaranteed a seat.
Sunday June 5
Windsor’s Big Lunch – The Long Table will cap off the celebrations. Tickets for a seat at the banquet have sold out and anyone planning to attend is encouraged to bring their own table, chairs or prepare to sit on the grass.
Prince Edward and his wife Sophie will be guests of honour at the event, which organisers hope will break a world record for the longest picnic table.
The Earl and Countess of Wessex will meet performers at the celebrations, a representative of the couple confirmed. Some of those who will be on hand to entertain the crowds include stilt walkers and balloon modellers.
Prince Charles and his wife Camilla will attend a similar Big Jubilee Lunch in London.
Pupils at schools in and around Windsor have for weeks been preparing for the Jubilee. In early May a group of children delivered a tapestry they had made to mark the queen’s historic milestone to the governor of Windsor Castle.
Some of those who will be on hand to entertain the crowds include stilt walkers and balloon modellers.
A 1,000-strong choir made up of students from several schools will perform The Long Walk, a song specially composed by singer-songwriter Emily Barden. The chorus goes: “Now is the time to jubilate. Courage, honour, pride as we journey down the Long Walk together, side by side”.
The group will perform the song at the Jubilee Picnic in the Park on Saturday and the Big Lunch on Sunday.
More than 85,000 people across the UK have registered to hold Big Jubilee Lunches over the four-day weekend. Farther afield, over 600 parties have been planned in Commonwealth nations including Canada, New Zealand and South Africa.
For tickets and further information about Windsor's platinum jubilee events see the local borough's website.
Jubilee celebrations through the years:
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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.
