How The Cambridge Kids Will Be Front And Center At The Queen's Jubilee
After months of anticipation, the major events of Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee are just days away. While events commemorating the queen's 70 years on the throne are ongoing, the apex of the celebration will occur between June 2 and June 5. Since it's a bank holiday, lucky U.K. residents can enjoy two days off work and revel in the festivities during the long weekend. These four days represent a chance to be part of history and recognize the service of Britain's longest-reigning royal, per The New York Times. "This will be the last really huge time to celebrate the Queen publicly and thank her," royal historian Hugo Vickers told Page Six. "This has been an extraordinary golden age that she has presided over."
The Platinum Jubilee celebrations gathered momentum in May during "A Gallop Through History," the Royal Windsor Horse Show's star-studded tribute to the queen. Originally, it was believed that 10 of Her Majesty's great-grandchildren would ride in a carriage during the show's final day of performances, per The Times. This claim was based on footage of an apparent rehearsal from Windsor Castle, where the children were observed embarking and disembarking from carriages. However, while Queen Elizabeth surprised fans when she attended the performance, her great-grandchildren did not participate in the program (via Town & Country).
Fortunately, royal fans may get an opportunity to see the youngest members of the family very soon.
George, Charlotte, and Louis are experiencing a major first
Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis will have starring roles during their great-grandmother's Platinum Jubilee celebrations. Besides being part of the group on the royal balcony, Prince William and Kate Middleton's three children are planning to participate in the parade during Trooping the Colour. This will be the first time the Cambridge siblings have ridden in the carriage procession, per Telegraph.
Trooping the Colour will be the first big event of the four-day holiday. Featuring over 1,200 military personnel and 240 horses, Her Majesty's birthday parade will culminate with a RAF flypast and royal balcony gathering (via Royal.UK). Prince Louis, now 4, is the same age as his dad Prince William was when he made his debut at 1988's Trooping the Colour. Back then, William rode in a carriage with Princess Diana and the Queen Mother, per Daily Mail.
Besides their anticipated parade appearance riding with Kate, the three Cambridges are also likely to join their mom at the Superbloom flower show (via Telegraph). Using 20 million seeds, the Tower of London's former moat has been transformed into a floral utopia. Visitors can tour the moat gardens and enter the display via a massive slide, per People. George, Charlotte, Louis, and Kate will likely have a blast with this super-sized piece of playground equipment. Previously, the Duchess of Cambridge made headlines when she took a ride down the Lego Foundation's tubular slide in Denmark (via Express).
The Platinum Jubilee will include even more royals and an iconic vehicle
Royal fans will be waiting with bated breath to see Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis at the Platinum Jubilee events. According to Telegraph, the young royals' participation probably will not be confirmed until just prior to the events. After June 2's Trooping the Colour, a Queen's Service of Thanksgiving will be held the following day.
Since this church service is a family event, all the royals are expected to be in attendance, including Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, per Cosmopolitan. Since they are no longer working royals, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex won't be on the royal balcony the previous day. "As a mother and grandmother, the Queen takes one view of her family — which is slightly separate from what she's told to do as the queen," royal historian Hugo Vickers told Page Six.
The final two days of the celebration will include the Derby at Epsom Downs, a party and concert, and culminate in a Platinum Jubilee Pageant. According to Royal.UK, this final event will involve the Gold State Carriage. The famous gilded carriage was used during Queen Elizabeth's coronation, and she rode in it during her Golden Jubilee celebrations in 2002, per My London. Since the ride is famously uncomfortable, it's not a surprise that the queen won't be inside during this year. Instead, the iconic coach will contain a traveling museum exhibit that features historic footage of Her Majesty's coronation, per Royal.UK.