'Big Lunches' to be held across the East to mark the Platinum Jubilee
This marks the final day of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee weekend
Last updated 4th Jun 2022
More than 70,000 Big Jubilee Lunches are expected to be held across the UK this afternoon, including here in Bucks, Beds and Herts, with an expected 10 million people set to sit down with their neighbours at street parties, picnics and barbecues.
These get-togethers mark the final day of celebrating the Queen's Platinum Jubilee after a week of festivities.
Lacehill Sports and Community Centre in Buckingham is hosting a picnic on the pitch between 11 AM and 3 PM to mark the occasion.
Sam Horeau is Events Coordinator at the centre, she says there’s going to be a real party atmosphere.
“There’s going to be a big stage and there will be live music. To keep little ones entertained, we’ll have a visit from Spiderman, a trail, and some games.”
Whilst people are being encouraged to bring their own picnic, Sam says there will be some food available.
“To help them fill up their baskets and blankets, we will have a small selection of food traders. So, we’ll have some gourmet burgers, some ice cream, and we’ll have lots of freshly baked cakes and cookies. We’ll also have a licenced bar as well, to help us toast the special occasion.”
Over 600 international Big Jubilee Lunches are also taking place throughout the Commonwealth and around the world in countries such as Canada, Brazil, New Zealand, Japan, South Africa and Switzerland.
Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, is patron of the Big Lunch and is likely to join a street party at some point today.
The celebration also coincides with this year's Thank You Day - originally set up to pay tribute to those who helped people through the pandemic.
Celebrities such as Ross Kemp, Gareth Southgate, Prue Leith and Ellie Simmonds have therefore urged people to throw the biggest thank you party not just for the Queen, but also for neighbours, family, friends, communities, the NHS and key workers for their support over the past few years.
The England football team, joined by a host of other celebrities including Rachel Riley, are starting a ‘Chain of Thank Yous' on social media.
They are inviting others to join them in recording and posting a video to social media where they say thank you to those who they believe really deserves it.
Also happening later today is the Jubilee Pageant which is set to involve a series of floats, music, art and fashion representing the Queen's 70 years on the throne.
It has been announced that Ed Sheeran will be closing this final event of the Jubilee Weekend by performing a rendition of the national anthem.
The Queen's Coronation nearly 70 years ago:
Members of the Household Cavalry, part of Her Majesty's Procession, making their way through Admiralty Arch as they escort the Queen's coach to Westminster Abbey for her Coronation on 2nd June 1953.
The Queen prepares for the anointing at Westminster Abbey. To the Queens right is Bishop of Durham Arthur Michael Ramsey, and to her left is the Bishop of Bath and Wells Harold William Bradfield.
The Queen after the St. Edward's Crown, made in 1661, was placed on her head during the coronation ceremony. It weighs 4 pounds and 12 ounces and is made of solid gold.
The newly Queen of England walking through Westminster Abbey with her train being held
The Queen, wearing the Imperial State crown, Prince Charles, Princess Anne and the Duke of Edinburgh watching the jet planes fly over ahead - a coronation tribute to the newly-crowned Queen.