The lighting of the Platinum Jubilee Beacons brought the first day of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations to a close, following a spectacular day of pomp and pageantry at Trooping the Colour.
It was a dual effort, with Her Majesty lighting a beacon at Windsor Castle...
...and Prince William lighting the beacon outside Buckingham Palace.
It is very much an opportunity for the UK and Commonwealth countries to join together with over 3,000 beacons lighting up all over the world. Buckingham Palace said: "The United Kingdom’s long tradition of celebrating Royal Jubilees, Weddings and Coronations with the lighting of beacons will continue for the Platinum Jubilee. A beacon chain, once used as a tool for communication, has now become a symbol of unity across towns, borders, countries and continents and is often the central point of focus for any outdoor gathering or celebration."
At Windsor Castle, Her Majesty arrived in the Quadrangle for the lighting ceremony from the Sovereign’s Entrance. HM was received by Bruno Peek LVO OBE, who has overseen the Platinum Jubilee Beacons Project. Rebecca English reports "The Queen is wearing her new Platinum Jubilee brooch from the Goldsmiths’ Company. The four nations of the UK are represented by four diamond swirls and the national flowers: the rose, the thistle, the daffodil and the shamrock. It also includes her favourite lily of the valley".
The Commonwealth Globe of Nations -- specially created for the Beacons Project and displayed publicly at the Tower of London since April -- was placed on a podium by representatives of the Yeoman Warders.
With a symbolic touch on the globe, the Queen triggered the beginning of the lighting of a beacon outside Buckingham Palace. From there, the lighting sequence travelled from Windsor to London...
....and at Buckingham Palace the Beacon was lit by William who was joined by the Queen’s Green Canopy's Sir Nicholas Bacon and the designer of the ‘Tree of Trees’, Thomas Heatherwick.
Meanwhile at Buckingham Palace.. pic.twitter.com/pAQnRZiQiw
— Richard Palmer (@RoyalReporter) June 2, 2022
The Beacon named the 'Tree of Trees' is a 21m high 'tree' constructed of several hundred smaller trees. The sculpture holds 80 steel branches. Thomas Heatherwick led the project in honour of the Queen's Green Canopy project which encouraged people to plant trees all over the world to celebrate the Jubilee year. Heatherwick told royal reporter Victoria Murphy the Queen personally approved plans for the sculpture: "Apparently she gave a big thumbs up so were excited about that." He added he is "thrilled" to "highlight trees as the superheroes of our towns and cities".
Thomas had a few eager young helpers along the way :)
The sculpture arriving at Buckingham Palace last week.
It consists of 350 native trees planted in aluminum pots.
'Once the Platinum Jubilee celebrations are over, organizers say that Heatherwick’s sculpture will be dismantled with the trees sent to permanent homes within community groups and individuals across the UK.
“The tree twists and spirals, in a way symbolically spraying and arraying those 350 baby trees towards their final homes across the country. In a way it is a symbol of the bigger initiative which is about planting millions of trees,” Heatherwick said today of his design.
Repurposed steel for the sculpture was provided by Cleveland Steel in Yorkshire and the 350 trees came from Barcham’s Nursery in Cambridgeshire.'
A Commonwealth song was sung by choirs all over the world as the Tree of Trees was illuminated.
It was an incredibly striking sight allowing a few moments of reflection on the significance of the Queen's reign being celebrated simultaneously at that very moment in countries thousands of miles apart.
Meanwhile at Buckingham Palace.. pic.twitter.com/pAQnRZiQiw
— Richard Palmer (@RoyalReporter) June 2, 2022
'A Life Lived with Grace' features music by Vincent Atueyi from Nigeria with lyrics by Lucy Kiely from Australia.
The poignant lyrics:
When the world has turned to darkness
And there’s troubled seas ahead
There's a light that leads the ship back home to shore.
A life lived with grace
A heart filled with love
Peace on earth and harmony in the heavens above.
When the day is slowly breaking
And the dawn can’t find its way
There's a sun that shines upon the world heralding a brand-new day.
A life lived with grace
A heart filled with love
Peace on earth and harmony in the heavens above.
When the night has come a-calling
And the daylight starts to fade
There's a reason why the world rejoices
singing all as one today.
A life lived with grace
A heart filled with love
Peace on earth and harmony in the heavens above.
I wish I knew who to credit for this image. A friend sent it to me and I thought it pretty special. Kudos to whoever it was… #HM70 pic.twitter.com/0OHSbe9A54
— Victoria Arbiter (@victoriaarbiter) May 31, 2022
70 Platinum Jubilee Beacons will be lit in Norfolk.
Images of Her Majesty projected onto Buckingham Palace.
This looks rather spectacular.
Schoolchildren who participated in the Queen’s Green Canopy Junior Forester Award were present, as well as young leaders from Scouts, Girlguiding and the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust, who have all been involved with the Platinum Jubilee Beacons Project.
Beacons were lit by charities, community and faith groups throughout the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Overseas Territories. Beacons were lit by groups and young leaders throughout all 54 Commonwealth countries, including cities and capitals across five continents, to celebrate the Queen’s service to the people of the Commonwealth.
Starting with Tonga and Samoa, beacons were lit in Australasia and the Pacific region before moving through Asia and on to the 19 African Commonwealth member states, before continuing through Europe, and finally finishing in the Caribbean and Americas.
A screen displays the Union Flag ahead of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Beacon Lighting Ceremony at Cawfield Quarry.
Australia Prime Minister Anthony Albanese lights the Commonwealth Beacon at the Marion, Regatta Point.
A lengthy video from the event.
Below, beacons for George V's Silver Jubilee in 1935.
🔥 This evening, over 3,000 beacons will be lit across the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth to celebrate The Queen’s 70 years of service.
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) June 2, 2022
Once used as a communication tool, beacons are now used to celebrate Royal milestones.
📽️ Beacons for George V's Silver Jubilee in 1935. pic.twitter.com/HAJog4spwK
Her Majesty has planted more than 1,500 trees during her reign.
This photo of the 11-year-old then Princess Elizabeth planting a yew tree was taken at Glamis Castle, Scotland in 1937 -- one of the earliest records of Her Majesty planting a tree.
The same year, her sister Margaret planted a yew. Both were in commemoration of their father, King George VI's, coronation. Today, they be seen still growing strong side by side over 80 years later.
The Queen shared a message of thanks to all who planted trees as part of the Queen's Green Canopy initiative in celebration of the Jubilee. As of late March, over a million trees were planted.
I wanted to cover tonight's event as it's an incredibly powerful and symbolic effort. Unfortunately, the Queen will not be joining her family for the Service of Thanksgiving in the morning. The decision was taken with "great reluctance" following discomfort during Trooping The Colour today.
A reminder you can catch up on Trooping the Colour by clicking here.
I hope you enjoyed day one as much as I did.
Separately, fans of Eastenders enjoyed a royal Jubilee surprise tonight. A future King visiting the Queen Vic :)
Take a look behind the Scenes as Albert Square celebrates the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, on the day The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall made a very special visit to EastEnders meeting both our cast and crew. #EastEnders pic.twitter.com/51TVlK4rjB
— BBC EastEnders (@bbceastenders) June 2, 2022
I'll add live streams to a 'First Look' post in the morning before royal arrivals.
William looked so emotional 🥹
ReplyDeleteOops, I posted under your last update. The Tree of Trees looks fantastic outside the Palace. It's beautiful lit up. After watching it again, there was something very symbolic about The Queen passing her light to The Duke of Cambridge. I really hope after a rest tomorrow she will feel well enough to attend the Derby. We all know how much she enjoys the racing, it would be a nice treat for her. Charlotte I know everyone else has said it but thank you so much for all your hard work and quick updates. Fantastic job and much appreciated by many people. 🌹. I can't find a good picture of The Queen tonight at Windsor. Any information on the brooch she is wearing would be much appreciated. Thanks again. S. ☺
ReplyDeleteThank you very much S! Rebecca English reports "The Queen is wearing her new Platinum Jubilee brooch from the Goldsmiths’ Company. The four nations of the UK are represented by four diamond swirls and the national flowers: the rose, the thistle, the daffodil and the shamrock. It also includes her favourite lily of the valley".
ReplyDeleteThe new brooch is beautiful! And I meant to add that the photo of the Queen shaking hands with herself is very moving.
DeleteI noticed that brooch, it is GORGEOUS. She looked so beautiful today. I was saddened to hear she had to cancel tomorrow. She must really be hurting. VERY happy we got to see her today and I love her little "half" glasses!
DeleteYes indeed Alison, I found it a bit strange but very moving picture. It's like a young Queen thanking her older self for doing such a great job. Please God the Family stress will ease for her in the next few years. S. ☺
DeleteYou are very welcome and I think I speak for most people on here. Thank you, I knew it was new 👍. Beautiful i can't wait to see better pictures and more information on it. Well deserved and I hope she gets many more beautiful gifts, she is a remarkable Woman. S. ☺
ReplyDeleteOh thank you , Charlotte ! These updates are wonderful !
ReplyDeleteThe second photo, of the Queen looking through a window, is so poignant. I can't help feeling sad, despite the wonderful celebrations.
ReplyDeleteI’m curious if anyone knows the connection that Mike Bloomberg has to this event? I know he’s very active in the American philanthropic community and as a former mayor of New York City has a high profile, but I don’t understand why he’d have such a high profile role at this very British activity.
ReplyDeleteHis Foundation paid for Thomas Heatherwick's Tree, as I understand it.
DeleteOOH love this. What a beautiful ceremony across the UK and all the other Countries. The trees, lighting, different torches etc are gorgeous. really a beautiful symbolic ceremony. Ali
ReplyDeleteHow very moving. And so well thought out. Beautiful symbolism of the lights and the trees. It is impressive to see a whole nation celebrating. In such a British way.
ReplyDeleteHello Charlotte & Everyone! :) I'm here watching Live from the USA. I also watched Live last night & it was wonderful! I will be back to comment, but I wanted to check in & Thank Charlotte for this Amazing Community & Blog, not to mention doing this Wonderful Live Blog for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee!! :) xoxo
ReplyDeleteBecca USA
wow the queen lighting was beautiful and making all us emotional
ReplyDeleteo