Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II has become the first British monarch to celebrate a 70-year reign – platinum jubilee, on Sunday, February 6 2022.
The queen has reigned for 70 years and is already the nation’s longest-reigning monarch, plus the longest still-serving sovereign in the world.
The queen’s record-breaking reign has seen her spend 73 per cent of her life on the throne.
She overtook her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria as Britain’s longest-reigning monarch in September 2015, passing her ancestor’s 63 years and 216 days.
“Inevitably a long life can pass by many milestones. My own is no exception,” the queen remarked at the time.
In a build-up to the anniversary, the queen has spent time viewing cards and gifts sent to her by the public.
In newly released images, she is pictured viewing the items, along with a selection of historic items from the royal archives while wearing two aquamarine and diamond brooches which were given to her as an 18th birthday present by her father in April 1944.
She will spend Sunday on the Sandringham Estate, as she does each year, to honour her father’s memory.
Queen Elizabeth II kicked off her Platinum Jubilee celebrations with her first public appearance of the year.
The Queen, 95, hosted a public reception with representatives from local charities and members at Sandringham Estate, the monarch’s country retreat. The celebration took place on the eve of Accession Day, which marks the 70th anniversary of her father’s death.
According to People, the Queen cut a cake made with the emblem of the Platinum Jubilee and received gifts. Also in attendance was Harry Humphrey, mayor of nearby town King’s Lynn, and Angela Wood, creator of the original Coronation Chicken. The chicken dish was served at the Queen’s coronation in 1953 and has since become a national staple.
A weekend of festivities is planned for June of this year. The Queen’s Birthday Parade (also known as Trooping the Colour) will take place on June 2 complete with soldiers, horses, and musicians. The following day, a “Service of Thanksgiving” will be held at St. Paul’s Cathedral. The holiday weekend will end with the Derby at Epsom Downs, a concert at the palace, and numerous jubilee lunches held across the UK.
The Queen has mostly stayed out of the public eye after a one-night hospital stay in October 2021. Buckingham Palace later announced she would “only undertake light, desk-based duties” and that she was in “good spirits.”
