by Emeric Harney June 01, 2022 6 min read 3 Comments
Even over here across the Pond, it’s likely that most people are aware that this year marks the 70th year of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign. Since her Accession to the throne on February 6, 1952 and her Coronation on February 6, 1953, the Queen has become Britain’s longest-reigning monarch. As you can imagine, the Platinum Jubilee is a pretty big deal in the United Kingdom.
While the concept of the jubilee began in biblical times, today the term is most closely associated with the royal family. Royal jubilees are an occasion to celebrate the life and reign of a monarch and are significant events celebrated around the world. Royal jubilees had their beginning during the reign of King George III. The beginning of the 50th year of his reign, on October 25, 1809, was marked both in Britain and the Colonies. Queen Victoria, previously the longest-reigning British monarch until the current Queen surpassed her in 2015, celebrated her Golden Jubilee in June 1887 and her Diamond Jubilee in June 1897. Both occasions included dignitaries from around the world as well as much fanfare with miles of people lined up to cheer the Queen.
Queen Elizabeth’s Jubilees
Due to her extended reign on the throne, Queen Elizabeth is about to celebrate her fourth Jubilee. Even before her sudden accession to the throne and subsequent coronation at the age of 25, on her 21st birthday Princess Elizabeth famously said in a speech:
“I declare before you all that my whole life whether it be long or short shall be devoted to your service.”
The future queen certainly at the time had no idea that she would serve 70 years on the throne!
Silver Jubilee: 1977
The Queen’s Silver Jubilee was marked with celebrations throughout the UK and Commonwealth. During that summer, the Queen embarked on a large-scale tour, having decided that she wished to mark her 25th year by meeting as many of her people as possible. No other Sovereign had visited so much of Britain in the course of just three months – the six jubilee tours in the UK and Northern Ireland covered 36 counties. Over a million people turned out on one day while she visited Lancashire. Overseas visits were also made, and during that year it was estimated that the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh traveled 56,000 miles.
During a lunch at Guildhall, the Queen made a speech with a throwback reference to that famous quote. “My Lord Mayor, when I was 21 I pledged my life to the service of our people, and I asked for God’s help to make good that vow. Although that vow was made in my salad days, when I was green in judgement, I do not regret nor retract one word of it.”
Golden Jubilee: 2002
The celebration of 50 years of service took place in June 2002 with six key themes: Celebration, Community, Service, Past, and Future, Giving Thanks, and Commonwealth. The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh again undertook extensive tours of the Commonwealth and the UK as well as Jamaica, New Zealand, Australia, and Canada. The celebrations included the usual fanfare, processions, central weekend special events, concerts, fireworks, and immense crowds cheering for the Queen.
Diamond Jubilee: 2012
The queen’s 60th year of reign was marked with a spectacular central weekend and a series of regional tours throughout the UK and Commonwealth. The Queen and Duke traveled across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Events included “Big Jubilee Lunches,” which were held across the UK where people were encouraged to share lunch with neighbors and friends as part of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations. The Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant featured up to 1,000 boats assembled on the Thames from across the UK and around the world. The Queen and Duke traveled in the Royal Barge which formed the centerpiece of the flotilla. Harney & Sons made a tribute tea for the Diamond Jubilee as well. It’s since been discontinued, but if you still have the tin, snap a pic and post it in the comments!
Platinum Jubilee: 2022
While events have been taking place throughout the year in celebration of Queen Elizabeth II’s 70 years on the throne, the culmination takes place during the Central Weekend, a jubilee tradition. From Thursday, June 2 to Sunday, June 5, there will be public events, community activities, and national moments of reflection on the Queen’s 70 years of service. Highlights include:
In addition to all the “official” events of the central weekend, there are many other events and tributes that have been and will continue to take place. One of our favorites is the Superbloom at the Tower of London. The moat at the Tower of London has been sown with over 20 million seeds, which will erupt into bloom at the beginning of June in time for all the Platinum Jubilee hoopla. We can only imagine how breathtaking that will be, and as supporters of Historic Royal Palaces, the not-for-profit that cares for the Tower, we’re extra chuffed (as the British would say)! You can read all about Historic Royal Palaces and the important places they support on our blog, and shop for teas like Tower of London, Victorian London Fog, and more on our HRP Collection page.
One final fun note: a Platinum Jubilee Pudding contest was held where contestants could submit their recipe for the Platinum Jubilee’s official dessert. The winner of the contest is a Lemon Swiss Roll and Amaretti Trifle inspired by the Queen’s wedding menu. The recipe by copywriter and amateur baker Jemma Melvin beat out more than 5,000 entrants. You can make your own at home…and here’s an idea, maybe serve it with a freshly brewed pot of our Platinum Jubilee tea! This black tea with bergamot and lavender was blended in honor of the Queen’s 70th year as an enduring and beloved monarch. God save the Queen! Cheers!
June 08, 2022
I’ve been trying to post the photos of my Diamond Jubilee Tea Tin and am unable to do so.
June 08, 2022
I’d live to post a pic of our Diamond Jubilee tin, but it’s not letting me. Love this post though!
Comments will be approved before showing up.
by Emeric Harney May 25, 2023 5 min read
by Emeric Harney May 18, 2023 6 min read
by Emeric Harney May 12, 2023 6 min read
Sign up to get the latest on sales, new releases and more!
S. Davis
June 08, 2022
Great article! Pretty pictures! I have already received my tin of Platinum Jubilee Tea, and it is delicious! There is a nice balance of flavors. I can really tell it is a variation on Earl Grey, which I love, but the silver tips and lavender add a nice touch! The lavender blends well and does not overpower. The tin is so pretty and meaningful. A nice commemorative keepsake! Great service and speedy shipping, as always!