A Guide To Sunday's Platinum Jubilee Pageant

Laura Reynolds
By Laura Reynolds Last edited 22 months ago
A Guide To Sunday's Platinum Jubilee Pageant
The action centres around Buckingham Palace. Image: Hulki Okan Tabak/Unsplash

One of the key components of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Celebrations this week is the Platinum Jubilee Pageant — though organisers have kept the details under wraps until the last minute. Here's what we do now know, including where it is, what time it is, and how to watch it on Sunday.

What is the Platinum Jubilee Pageant?

Image: Platinum Jubilee Pageant

It's one of the main official events over the Platinum Jubilee weekend, along with Party at the Palace on Saturday night.

The pageant is a parade that tells the story of the Queen's reign, and how society has changed over the last seven decades, split into four parts:

  • For Queen and Country — A military spectacle thanking the Queen for her service
  • The Time Of Our Lives — A look back at 70 years of popular culture, through dancing, fashion and costumes and vehicles
  • Let's Celebrate — this section will "harness creativity, ingenuity, humour and community spirit" apparently — think street theatre, live music and carnival vibes
  • Happy and Glorious — the finale, taking place around the Queen Victoria memorial (and that new tree thingamajig) outside Buckingham Palace — with the public invited to join in with the singing of the national anthem with the London Community Gospel Choir, to the backing of the Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines. The singalong is led by one Ed Sheeran.

Who's in the Platinum Jubilee Pageant?

The dragon puppet by Trigger, part of the procession. Image: Platinum Jubilee Pageant

Who isn't? We're wondering if our own invite to participate got lost in the post. Groups and individuals confirmed to be taking part include:

  • The military — members of all three UK armed forces, plus representatives from Commonwealth countries including Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Sri Lanka and Belize
  • 150 'national treasures' including Sir Cliff Richard, Heston Blumenthal, Rosie Jones, Kadeena Cox, Alan Titchmarsh, James Martin, Jayne Torvill, Christopher Dean, Gary Lineker and, er, Basil Brush.
  • Creative groups from around the UK have made their own pieces to feature in the 'Let's Celebrate' section, including a 21-foot tall hatchling dragon puppet; four knights on horseback; a four-metre-tall wedding cake surrounded by maypole dancers in saris; a giant wire frame sculpture of the Queen herself; carnival puppets; another maypole, where the combined ribbons form an image of the Queen; 200 dancers from 72 schools carrying River of Hope flags; a mobile circus structure; silk banners; and general mass choreography.
  • Gok Wan, Jeremy Irons and Bill Bailey will be there for that musical finale too, for some reason. (Not sure whether they've been classed as National Treasures or not.)

It's not just people — double decker buses and vintage vehicles feature in the 'Time Of Our Lives' section, and given Her Majesty's fondness for them, we wouldn't be surprised to see a horse or two trotting past, most likely in the military procession.

What time is the Platinum Jubilee Pageant?

It's on Sunday 5 June 2022, approximate start time 2.30pm and approximate finish 5pm.

Where is the Platinum Jubilee Pageant route?

Click or tap for larger version

The above map shows the parade route and viewing arrangements — the red line shows the route itself, though other official information states that "The Pageant will start on Whitehall, turn under Admiralty Arch, and then process up The Mall before finishing outside Buckingham Palace" so we're not sure how much you'll see along Birdcage Walk — this could be the performers dispersing after they've been past Buckingham Palace.

How to watch the Platinum Jubilee Pageant in London

Imagineer Productions is one of the creative groups putting their own twist on things.

There are a couple of official grandstands located right outside Buckingham Palace, but tickets for those have, of course, sold out. Other parts of the route are open to the public, along The Mall, Whitehall and Birdcage Walk, and inside St James's Park. Do check the map above when planning your route to and from the event, as some areas (such as Green Park) are completely inaccessible to the public on the day.

The whole event is free to watch, no booking required — just turn up. Naturally, it will be very, very busy, so you'll want to turn up early to get a good view, and be prepared for several hours of standing and waiting.

How to watch the Platinum Jubilee Pageant on TV

Image: BBC

The whole of the Pageant will be screened on TV. It'll be on BBC One from 1pm on Sunday 5 June (though the Pageant itself doesn't start until about 2.30pm, so expect plenty of preamble — a good time to light the barbecue, we reckon), with commentary by Clare Balding. It's available on iPlayer shortly afterwards, and parts will also be shown on ITV and Sky.

Public screenings of the Platinum Jubilee Pageant

Expect to see a whole load of Union Jacks. Image: Zack Gilseth/Unsplash

Don't fancy trying to squeeze along the route to catch a glimpse, but don't want to stay at home? A large, open-air screen will be set up in St James's Park, showing all of the action live. Note, St James's Park is right next to the route, so will still be exceptionally busy — we'd advise arriving early to get a spot, and be prepared to queue for toilets, refreshments and the like, as well as local tube stations.

Other screens will be set up in Princes Street Gardens in Edinburgh, and Bute Park in Cardiff. We expect some pubs and other venues might also screen the pageant, so do check local details.

Will the Queen and Royal Family be there?

Nothing's been said yet, most likely due to the Queen's current unpredictable schedule. We don't expect to see the Royal Family in the parade, but we are hoping for a bit of balcony action during that finale.

Toilets, food and drink, facilities...

The above map shows the location of toilets, including accessible toilets. Some are the existing public toilets in St James's Park, while others are being wheeled in for the occasion. It will be crowded, so expect to queue (and maybe take your own toilet paper/hand sanitiser, festival-style, as these things are liable to run out).

Food and drink stands will be set up around St James's Park... but again, expect to queue. If you're keen to get a good spot, you'll want to be an early bird, so packing a picnic might not be a bad idea (just avoid booze, glass and sharp knives as security is likely to be tight and they may be confiscated). A refillable water bottle is recommended, especially if it's hot, as refill points are available around the area — just think of those loo queues before you go too mad. No barbecues.

Find out more on the Platinum Jubilee Pageant website, and follow on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for the latest news and updates. There's a special backstage livestream on Facebook and Twitter from 1pm-2pm on the day.

Last Updated 30 May 2022

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