Everything you need to know this Platinum Jubilee Week
From bank holidays, beacons and Balmoral to... Diana Ross?
This week marks Queen Elizabeth's historic milestone of 70 years on the throne and celebrations are taking place across the UK.
So you may be wondering exactly what's going on and how you can join in the festivities.
Well firstly, and arguably the most important thing to know, is that there are two bank holidays this week.
When are the Jubilee bank holidays?
These are taking place on Thursday and Friday, meaning that if you're fortunate enough to get Saturday and Sunday off, you can prepare to kick back and enjoy a four day weekend.
On these bank holidays, Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said: "Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee will be a truly historic moment - and one that deserves a celebration to remember."
"We can all look forward to a special, four-day Jubilee weekend, when we will put on a spectacular, once-in-a-generation show that mixes the best of British ceremonial splendour with cutting edge art and technology.
"It will bring the entire nation and the Commonwealth together in a fitting tribute to Her Majesty’s reign."
What's happening with pubs?
It has been confirmed that pubs will be allowed to stay open two hours longer than usual for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee bank holiday weekend.
The temporary relaxation of licensing rules will apply to England and Wales and will allow you to drink with your friends and family until 1am, an extension from the usual 11pm close.
This is the first time we have seen the Government push back pub closing times since the 2018 royal wedding.
Home Office minister Kit Malthouse has said that the new licensing order, made under Section 172 of the Licensing Act 2003, will be applicable on Thursday, Friday and Saturday this week.
He said that the motivations behind this extended licensing is to allow people to "celebrate the longest-reigning monarch in the United Kingdom."
What are the official Jubilee events?
Many official Jubilee events have taken place throughout this year, but this week is set to see the bulk of celebrations,
Here's a breakdown of what's on throughout this week:
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.
What events are happening locally?
Jubilee celebrations are not confined however to castles and large scale parades, as plenty of events are happening in local communities all across the country.
To find out what's happening in your area across the week, you can visit the official Platinum Jubilee site and search for events close to you using an interactive map.
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