One hot topic of conversation that has been running rife on the radio over the past few days is the Queens reign of 60 years and to mark the special occasion of her Diamond Jubilee, the UK will enjoy an extra long weekend in June on the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th which means Monday the 4th and Tuesday the 6th will be classed as a nationwide bank holiday! So here’s a little bit of background information on the dates of her past jubilees:
- The Queen took to the thrown on the 6th of February 1952
- She celebrated her Silver Jubilee (25 years) in 1977
- She celebrated her Golden Jubilee (50 years) in 2002.
- 2012 she will celebrate her Diamond Jubilee (60 years).
Thanks to the don daddy of information websites Wikipedia, here’s some info on Elizabeth II:
Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary; born 21 April 1926[note 1]) is the constitutional monarch of 16 of the 54 sovereign states within the Commonwealth of Nations, and Head of the Commonwealth. In order of foundation, the 16 independent Commonwealth realms are the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize, Antigua and Barbuda, and Saint Kitts and Nevis. As the British monarch, she is the Supreme Governor of the Church of England.
Elizabeth was born in London and educated privately at home. Her father acceded to the throne as George VI in 1936 on the abdication of his brother Edward VIII. She began to undertake public duties during the Second World War, in which she served in the Auxiliary Territorial Service. When her father died in 1952, she became Head of the Commonwealth and queen regnant of seven independent Commonwealth countries: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Pakistan, and Ceylon. Her coronation service in 1953 was the first to be televised. Between 1956 and 1992, the number of her realms varied as territories gained independence and realms, including South Africa, Pakistan, and Ceylon (renamed Sri Lanka), became republics.
In 1947 she married Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, with whom she has four children: Charles, Anne, Andrew, and Edward. In 1992, which Elizabeth termed her annus horribilis (“horrible year”), Charles and Andrew separated from their wives, Anne divorced, and a severe fire destroyed part of Windsor Castle. Revelations continued on the state of Charles’s marriage to Diana, Princess of Wales, and they divorced in 1996. The following year, Diana died in a Paris car crash, and the media criticised the royal family for remaining in seclusion in the days before her funeral. Elizabeth’s personal popularity rebounded after she appeared in public and has subsequently remained high.
Her reign of 60 years is the second-longest for a British monarch; only Queen Victoria has reigned longer. Her Silver and Golden Jubilees were celebrated in 1977 and 2002; her Diamond Jubilee is being celebrated during 2012.
(Wiki).
A mega extravaganza pop concert will be held outside Buckingham Palace on June 4th to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee, which will be shown live on BBC1 and broadcast on BBC radio 2. Pop sensation Gary Barlow from boy band Take That has been busy this week acting as organiser for the concert and speaking in the press this week Gary revealed that a line up of world-class music acts are being lined up to perform for the Queen including Paul McCartney, Sir Elton John, Jessie J and Ed Sheeran. Following a decade theme, the event will showcase the best of pop, rock, classical and musical theatre from each decade that the Queen has been in power. It’s understood that ten thousand tickets are to be given away free through a public ballot. Gary said that his own experience of celebrating the Queen’s Silver Jubilee in 1977 where people from all walks of life came together was his inspiration for this event ‘That’s what we’re trying to do here, make this concert all-encompassing for everyone involved, that’s why I was so keen on moving it out of the back of the palace… and out the front.’
Here at Ace HQ, we think that fancy dress will play a strong role in celebrating the Queens Diamond jubilee. The lucky party goers who manage to secure a ticket for the concert will be keen to go all out for this event and there’s no better way to do this than to wear some outrageous fancy dress. We have some suitable fancy dress attire that would go down well at this event including our royal family masks and ever-popular Gerri Halliwell union jack dress. Not only will there be party goers decked out in fancy dress from head to toe, but many venues across the UK will be hosting their own jubilee parties. So if you’re thinking of holding or attending a jubilee event in June then be sure to have a look at our fantastic selection of costumes to give you those all important costume ideas.
It doesn't get more British than this outfit!
The ballot opens from today until March 7 on www.bbc.co.uk/diamondjubilee or by postcard to The Diamond Jubilee Concert 2012, PO Box 798, Manchsester M60 1WU.
For more information about the celebrations visit the official Diamond Jubilee website.
