"She was just so friendly"- Sainsbury Centre reflects on Queen's 2017 visit
Her majesty visited the Sainsbury Centre in late January 2017 for the 'Fiji: Art & Life in the Pacific' exhibition
Last updated 3rd Jun 2022
The Sainsbury Centre in Norwich has been taking a look back at Her Majesty's visit in 2017 with us.
The Queen visited the art gallery and museum in Norwich in late January 2017 for their Fiji: Art & Life in the Pacific' exhibition.
It's understood to be the largest exhibition about Fiji ever put together in the UK. It featured over 280 objects from museums across the UK and from the Fiji Museum.
"I thought wow this is somebody who's 91 years old"
Penelope Lucas is from the centre and was there five years ago, making sure everything ran smoothly: "She was just so friendly, she just wanted to get into the action. We had some people that were going to be presenting to her, and she could hear all the noise from where she was watching the exhibition and she just wanted to get into the party.
"I thought wow this is somebody who's 91 years old.
"When she came on the very cold January day she was greeted by two Fijian warriors. All they had on where grass skirts and she gave a wry smile as she walked past them.
"I remember when she arrived there was a huge crowd and many school children from local schools were there had made crowns and were wearing them."
"We've never seen anything like it before"
This was the third time the Queen has visited the Centre and the University of East Anglia. Penelope told us that Her Majesty has been in touch since: "The Royal Collection Trust did lend us five piece of fabergé from her collection for a show we had on that.
"We had beautiful pieces that were carved from animals at Sandringham, we were very happy to have them and many visitors wanted to see the pieces her Majesty had lent."
She told us that the Queens visit that day and her reign more generally- has really left a legacy: "She's obviously done something that nobody else has done, she's been on the throne for 70 years. I'd have to say her devotion to duty.
"We've never seen anything like it before and maybe we won't see it again."
Here's what's going across the country to mark the Jubilee this weekend:
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.