The Platinum Jubilee Weekend Celebrations

RAF Typhoons fly in formation to form the number 70 as part of the flypast for the Trooping the Colour ceremony.

I remember in 2012 thinking how incredible it was that the Queen was celebrating her 60th Diamond Jubilee, hoping she’d reign for a few more years to break Queen Victoria’s record to become the longest serving British Monarch. Fast forward to today and even more astonishingly she’s now celebrating her 70th Platinum Jubilee, something that few people ever thought we’d see. This record-breaking event was marked by a four-day bank holiday weekend in the UK with the traditional end of May Bank Holiday moved and an extra one created.

Joseph Afrane, a well known monarchy fanatic is decked out in his usual Union Flag suit, hat and glasses with his extra large Platinum Jubilee flag.

Those lucky enough to have tickets to Trooping the Colour still had to queue round the corner from Green Park to the Ritz. This was two hours before anything started as well.

Union flags were hung on streets everywhere across the nation as well as in the capital.

Many shops also had their own Platinum Jubilee displays in their front windows.

The crowds arriving.

With so many things happening I was sure to capture as much as I could with my camera, from Trooping the Colour in London, complete with the Queen’s appearance on the balcony for the flypast, to village fairs, street parties and events in my local Town.  I hope everyone had a wonderful time celebrating this special occasion over the weekend as it’s not something we will see again in our lifetimes. Let’s hope they keep than extra bank holiday in subsequent years.

First came out the marching band and other soldiers on foot.

Then came those on horseback.

Royals made appearance in carriages and Rolls-Royces. This was the best image I managed to take with Kate, Camilla and the three grandchildren. Tricky as I had to hold the camera high above my head to get above the crowds.

Though I didn’t quite manage to see the Queen with my own two eyes I did manage to capture this faraway photo of her and other Royals on the balcony. Again holding the camera high above my head and hoping for the best.

The famous Red Arrows rounded off the flypast. The fluttering union flag was well placed to complete the composition.

Whether you looked backwards….

…or forwards, the crowds were enormous.

The marching band return to the barracks. The police had to clear a path through the massive crowds.

Beacons were lit across the nation and in the capitals of all the Commonwealth Countries abroad as part of the celebrations. The torch in Hitchin sat at the top of a building in the Town Square.

Enjoying the celebrations.

The torch being lit by a Deputy Lieutenant for Hertfordshire, representing the Queen.

Hopefully he didn’t singe his eyebrows.

The torch aflame after the ceremony.

The following day saw the return of the Hitchin Carnival.

Following the music truck was the carnival band.

Spectators looks on.

We even had our very own Queen Elizabeth II with the support of the Town Cryer.

Representations from local organisations including Hitchin F.C. followed behind the music.

Martin was on official photography duty and thoroughly enjoying himself.

Someone had to pop the confetti eventually.

Marshalls stand on by to keep the way clear from the throngs of people who’d come to watch.

There’s plenty going on in the villages with just about everyone having their own fair. This one was in Offley.

Some stands were raising money for charity, including for the ongoing War in Ukraine.

The following day I was at the Whitwell village fair.

The dogs gathered early on for a fun competition that had prizes for waggy tail and best fancy dress.

The dogs lined up in a circle as the judging is carried out.

A local beekeeper selling his produce with a well thought out display stand.

The excellent winners of the cake baking competition.

Fun things for all the family, including the bucking bronco.

There’s no way you can have a village without a barbeque.

And don’t forget welly wanging either.

The Sunday rounded off events with street parties for The Big Jubilee Lunch.

Street parties are a great way of getting neighbours out socialising with food and drink.

The weather was rather wet but everyone came prepared.

The longest residing residents helping to judge a fun competition for the kids.

Someone made this lovely covering for the road’s postbox. It added to the great community feel of the street parties that were occurring across the nation.

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