In scenes reminiscent of last year’s Royal Wedding, the Diamond Jubilee celebrations will culminate in a spectacular state procession and flypast over Buckingham Palace.The joyous events are set to begin on the morning of Tuesday June 5, with a service at St Paul’s Cathedral. The Queen – accompanied by various other members of the Royal Family – will attend a service of thanksgiving at the cathedral.
The royals will then travel to Westminster Hall where they will enjoy a sumptuous lunch, and will be entertained with music from The National Children’s Orchestra. Following this, the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh will travel in the 1902 State Landau carriage along a processional route to Buckingham Palace. This is the same carriage which took the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge through the streets of London after their marriage ceremony.
The Queen and Philip will be followed by the other members of the royal family including William and Kate. Lining the streets will be members of all three military services, military bands and The King’s Troop who will fire a 60-gun salute to honour the occasion. Household cavalry members have said it's "a huge privilege" to be involved in the proceedings.
The Household Cavalry's commanding officer Lt Col Dan Hughes was involved in the Royal Wedding proceedings last year and commented on the vast numbers of spectators expected to show for the Jubilee celebrations." During the royal wedding last year, the size of crowds took us all by surprise. We're expecting something similar," he said.
Upon arrival at the palace, the senior royals will make an appearance on the balcony where they will watch an RAF flypast and a Feu de Joie or “Fire of Joy” – a celebratory cascade of rifle fire given as a salute by the Queen’s Guard – from the forecourt.
Tuesday's celebrations will be the culmination of celebratory events happening over the weekend of June 2. On the Saturday the Queen will attend the Epsom Derby before boarding the Royal Barge with the Duke of Edinbugh to take part in the Thames Jubilee Pageant. The regal vessel will lead a 1,000 boat flotilla along the river. The Diamond Jubilee concert will be held on the Sunday outside Buckingham Palace and will see the likes of Kylie Minogue, Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder performing for the monarch.