Thousands of beacons lit across the country today to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee
2,800 beacons will be lit to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee
Thousands of beacons will be lit later today to celebrate the Queen’s reign during the Platinum Jubilee.
The network of beacons will stretch across the UK, with beacons at historic sites including the Tower of London, Windsor Great Park, Hillsborough Castle, Lambeth Palace and the Queen's estates of Sandringham and Balmoral.
The first beacons lit today will mark the start of the extended Jubilee weekend. Beacons are also due to be set ablaze thousands of miles away in Tonga and Samoa in the South Pacific, with the final one being in the central American country of Belize in the Caribbean.
A 21-metre tall Tree of Trees sculpture outside Buckingham Palace will be the focal point for all the Beacons, and will also be lit tonight.
As well as traditional beacons organised by charities, community groups, councils and other organisations, creative adaptations of the gesture are being staged to commemorate the monarch's milestone.
Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust's sustainable beacon has been made of old and broken hospital beds, which have been melded into a crown-shaped beacon.
In addition to lighting up beacons, part of the celebrations today involve a very special Trooping the Colour.
Beacons will be lit in all 54 Commonwealth capitals
Beacons will be lit in all 54 Commonwealth capitals for the first time, spanning five continents.
Nine central London bridges across the River Thames will be lit up to form the world's longest public artwork, entitled Illuminated River, with a celebratory sequence of evolving colour and light.
Several English cathedrals - namely Durham, Ely, Lichfield, Peterborough and Rochester - will be lighting up the night sky red, white and blue, while London's BT Tower will also be celebrating the occasion.
Scouts are starting at least 70 beacons in tribute to their patron the Queen, ranging from in Cornwall in the south-west of England to the Highlands and Islands, and Merthyr Tydfil in Wales and the Norfolk Broads in the east of England.
In Wilton, Wiltshire, a beacon will be lit in the same place and by the same Scout group as when one was lit on the night of the Queen's Coronation.
Girlguiding will also set up to 70 beacons on fire for the head of state, their patron too, while Walking With The Wounded will light beacons on top of the four highest peaks of the UK - Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike, Mount Snowdon and Slieve Donard.
Queen has 'lit up the nation for 70 years'
Bruno Peek, pageantmaster of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Beacons, said: "The Queen has lit up the nation and the Commonwealth for 70 years, and it is only fitting that we do the same for her.
"It's amazing to see the range of charities, community groups and faith groups taking part.
"For the first time ever we are taking beacons all over the Commonwealth, to each of the 54 countries.
"It's wonderful to see people wishing to take part in so many ways, from traditional beacon lighting and bonfires to lighting up buildings and monuments."
Platinum Jubilee programme
Thursday 2nd June: Trooping the Colour
To mark the Queen's official birthday, over 1400 soldiers, 200 horses and 400 musicians are coming together in what the official Royal Family website describes as "a great display of military precision, horsemanship and fanfare". The event will consist of a musical parade where soldiers will salute the Queen. The traditional march then closes with a fly-past by the Royal Air Force, which the Royal Family typically watch from the Buckingham Palace balcony.
Thursday 2nd June: Platinum Jubilee Beacons
At Buckingham Palace, the Principal Beacon (which traditionally has been lit to mark the Queen's jubilee), will be 'lit' on Thursday. This jubilee beacon however is set to be a little different to previous jubilee celebrations, as a large living tree sculpture by British designer Thomas Heatherwick is being used. The lighting installation within this structure will act as the lighting of the principal beacon to reflect the Royal Family's commitment to environmental causes. A Palace spokeswoman has said on the sculpture: "It's 21 metres high – that's the height of three giraffes." Throughout the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and UK Overseas Territories, other beacons are being lit in celebration.
Friday 3rd June: Service of Thanksgiving
A Service of Thanksgiving for the Queen's reign will be held at St Paul's Cathedral. This is in keeping with tradition as ever since 1897, the cathedral has hosted Jubilee services. St Paul's are also hosting an exhibition exploring the history of Jubilee celebrations at the cathedral across three centuries. This has been open to the public since May 25th.
Saturday 4th June: Platinum Party at the Palace
On Saturday, big names Diana Ross and George Ezra are set to perform at a concert at Buckingham Palace to celebrate the most significant moments from the Queen's reign. Live coverage will be broadcast on BBC One and will be hosted by Kirsty Young and Roman Kemp and co-presented by Huw Edwards, Clare Balding, AJ Odudu and Anita Rani.
Sunday 5th June: Big Jubilee Lunch
Street parties are being planned across the UK and neighbours are expected to join together for food and fun to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee. This will mark the end of the bank holiday. It is also the day that pubs stop opening until 1am, giving everyone a reason to relax and have an early night.
Sunday 5th June: Platinum Jubilee Pageant
Performers will come together in London to tell the story of the Queen's reign through a pageant. This will include a "River of Hope" section made up of 200 silk flags that will make its way through The Mall, appearing like a moving river. In 2012, there was a similar parade of 670 boats on the Tideway of the River Thames in London as part of the celebrations for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
July: The Royal Collection Trust
Three displays marking the Queen's accession to the throne, the Coronation and Jubilees will be put on at Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
12th-15th May: Platinum Jubilee Celebration Performance
In celebration of the Queen's 70 years on the throne, more than 500 horses and 1,000 performers took part in a 90-minute show taking the Windsor Castle audience through history right from Elizabeth I to the present day.