Apart from my inappropriate crush on Prince Harry, I am not a huge Royal watcher but I do love some pomp & circumstance and nobody does that better than England. Did you know that 2012 marks 60 years of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign? The Diamond Jubilee celebrations will center around an extended weekend in England from June 2–5, 2012 but there are plenty of activities happening throughout the year. If England is on your travel itinerary, here are a few Diamond Jubilee events you may want to check out.
Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant
Sunday, June 3
A procession of 1,000 boats will travel down the River Thames, from Battersea to Tower Bridge, flanking the Royal Barge which will transport the Queen. The procession, which will include vessels of all shapes and sizes from around the world is expected to be the biggest televised event ever to take place.
Sixty Photographs for Sixty Years - The Drawings Gallery, Windsor Castle
Opening on February 4. Open until January 2013.
An exhibition of 60 photographs of The Queen, including the work of leading press photographers of the past six decades, will go on display at Windsor Castle. The exhibition presents a portrait of The Queen’s reign as captured in fleeting moments on both official occasions and at relaxed family gatherings.
The Wild, the Beautiful and the Damned at Hampton Court Palace
April 5 –September 30, 2012
This royal-themed exhibition tells a story about the fascination of love, glamour, celebrity, lust and power and involves some of the key characters that lived, loved and died at Hampton Court Palace – Charles II, James II, William III & Queen Mary II and Queen Anne. This temporary exhibition will contain magnificent artworks to reveal the stories and scandals, and will include items from the Royal Collection and other public and private collections, many of which are not currently on display.
The World Comes to Windsor Castle
May 10, 11, 13
Held on the private grounds of Windsor Castle, the Diamond Jubilee Pageant will pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth II’s 60-year reign in a performance that brings together over 500 horses and 800 international performers, dance, music, military and equestrian displays from around the world.
A Capital Celebration – London’s Exhibitions
In addition to the river pageant, London will be host to several exhibitions on the Royal Family and the reign of Queen Elizabeth II. Showing at the V&A from February 8 – April 22, Cecil Beacon’s Royal Portraits will include 60 photographs depicting the Royal Family at home and on official occasions. A new permanent exhibition opening at Kensington Palace on March 26, Victoria Revealed, will look at the life and reign of Queen Victoria – England’s longest-reigning monarch - while Tower Bridge will be re-presenting the Crown Jewels exhibition for the Jubilee year, with new displays showing the jewels like never before.
For more information on the many Jubilee events in England, visit www.visitengland.com/jubilee.
