Diamond Jubilee Celebrations June 2, 2012

Today was the opening of the official Diamond Jubilee Celebration Weekend. Diamond Jubilee festivities officially began with a 41-gun salute fired by the King's Troop, Royal Horse Artillery at Horse Guards Parade in central London.

Even Google.co.uk is celebrating!

The queen then went to the Epsom Derby at Epsom race course. She was greeted by the Red Devil Parachute team who parachuted into the racecourse with Union Jacks. The Queen usually attends the Epsom Derby, usually reading the papers over the race breakfast in the Royal Enclosure.

 

The Derby was won by a horse with the romantic name of Camelot. Quite fitting!
 

This is the last of the public engagements for today. Tomorrow has 2 big elements:

 

 Sunday 3 June, 2012
The Big Jubilee Lunch: Building on the already popular Big Lunch initiative, people will be encouraged to share lunch with neighbours and friends as part of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations. This may take the form of a traditional street party or a picnic lunch in small or larger groups. This event is being organised by the Big Lunch. Find out more.

 

Also: (I'm really looking forward to this...for more, see my previous post with videos of the building of Her Majesty's Barge Gloriana)

 

 

 

The Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant: This event will take place on the Thames and consist of up to 1,000 boats assembled from across the UK, the Commonwealth and around the world. The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh will travel in the Royal Barge which will form the centrepiece of the flotilla. Find out more

Approximate timings are as follows:

14:30BST – The Queen embarks the Royal barge, the Spirit of Chartwell, near Albert Bridge  

16:15BST  – The Royal Barge comes alongside HMS President (Royal Naval Reserve Unit), near Tower Bridge 

A reminder that Time Was Antiques still has a few of the English bone china Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee mugs available. Click on the photo below for more info.