To mark this momentous occasion, there will be celebrations across the country with plenty of opportunities to join in the fun in East Anglia too. During a visit to Bury St Edmund’s in 2002, The Queen expressed her affection for the region:
“Our sense of what it is to be British derives as much from the treasured towns, villages and coastline of East Anglia as it does from the great cities like London or Birmingham.”
Throughout her reign, The Queen has travelled more widely than any other monarch and has visited East Anglia on numerous occasions both in a private and official capacity.
Perhaps the most memorable visits are the Jubilee tours with the Silver Jubilee celebrations taking The Queen to Norwich, Ipswich, Felixstowe and Colchester in 1977.
The Golden Jubilee tour followed in 2002, when The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh visited Ipswich, Stowmarket and Bury St Edmund’s on 17 July. The following day took them to Norwich Castle Museum before they hosted a garden party for Norfolk at Sandringham House.
Ten years later, Hertfordshire was part of the Diamond Jubilee tour, when The Queen visited Hitchin’s Market Square before heading to Stevenage where she opened the Lister Hospital’s new maternity wing.
Of course, many of The Queen’s visits to East Anglia have been to Sandringham, her much-loved country estate in Norfolk; a retreat away from the city where she can enjoy the benefits of country life. It was here that she chose to celebrate her 96th birthday in April this year.
The Queen takes a personal interest in the breeding of thoroughbred stock at her Sandringham Estate and enthusiastically attends race meetings at Newmarket. In November 2016 she unveiled a statue of herself with a horse and foal, a gift from the town in celebration of her 90th birthday.
Cambridgeshire has welcomed The Queen many times and in 2019 she visited The National Institute of Agricultural Botany and Queen’s College before unveiling a plaque at the Royal Papworth Hospital commemorating the opening of the site.
The Queen’s visit to Bedfordshire in November 2006 included a tour of Samuel Whitbread Community College as well as St John’s Hospice in Moggerhanger in her capacity as patron of Sue Ryder Care. She returned in April 2017 to officially open the new Centre for Elephant Care at Whipsnade Zoo.
Join in the Celebrations
Celebratory events and activities are planned throughout the four-day Platinum Jubilee weekend. Here is The Queen’s order of events:
Thursday 2 June
More than 1,400 soldiers, 200 horses and 400 musicians will come together in the traditional Trooping the Colour parade from Buckingham Palace, ending with an RAF flypast, watched by The Queen from her balcony. Thursday will also see the lighting of the Platinum Jubilee Beacons throughout the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and UK Overseas Territories.
Friday 3 June
A Service of Thanksgiving for The Queen’s reign will be held at St Paul’s Cathedral.
Saturday 4 June
The Queen will attend the Derby at Epsom Downs. A special live concert, featuring some of the world’s biggest entertainment stars, will also be broadcast from Buckingham Palace.
Sunday 5 June
The Big Jubilee Lunch is a community event encouraging neighbours to come together to celebrate the Jubilee with a picnic, street party or tea and cake. Find tips and ideas at edenprojectcommunities.com. The Platinum Jubilee Pageant will also take place when performers, dancers, musicians, military personnel, key workers and volunteers will tell the story of The Queen’s 70-year reign in a festival of creativity.
Jubilee Weekend Regional events
NORFOLK
Celebrations begin with the lighting of the Jubilee beacon on Thursday, accompanied by live music. Katherine Jenkins and The Military Wives perform at an outdoor concert on Friday and a live screening of the ‘Platinum Party at the Palace’ will be shown on Saturday. The weekend culminates on Sunday with a motoring pageant, live music and aerial displays.
Norwich
A Big Jubilee Lunch hosted by the Lord Mayor takes place in the city centre on Sunday with a traditional street party, live music and family friendly activities such as balloon modelling and circus skills workshops. Bring a picnic or enjoy the street food available on Millennium Plain.
Diss
Join the party at Glow in the Park on Thursday with live music, street food stalls, a beacon lighting ceremony, lantern procession and firework display in Diss Park.
For further details and to find more events in Norfolk visit platinumjubileenorfolk.org
SUFFOLK
Sudbury
Head to Friars Meadow on Thursday for a country fair with mini rowing regatta, dog show, circus workshops, children’s rides and craft stalls. A street party follows on Sunday at Market Hill with live music, performers, magicians and food stalls.
Felixstowe
The Jubilee Carnival brings a weekend of music, celebration and parades with community groups, schools and bands presenting songs through all the decades of the Queen’s reign.
Thorington, nr Southwold
On Thursday Proms in the Woods takes place at Thorington Theatre with internationally renowned coloratura soprano Christina Johnston and an ensemble of classical musicians.
For further details and to find more events in Suffolk visit festivalofsuffolk.org
CAMBRIDGESHIRE
Ely
Celebrations span the weekend with a food, drink and craft show on Friday, a fete at Oliver Cromwell’s House on Saturday and the big Jubil-eel day and street party on Sunday. visitely.org.uk
St Neots
Join the Jubilee Picnic in the Park on Saturday at Regatta Meadow for an afternoon of music, food and celebration with children’s entertainment and live music. visit-stneots.co.uk
Peterborough
Visit Sacrewell for a four-day event with inflatables, live music, children’s games, craft activities and a tractor display. Pre-book tickets for Saturday outdoor theatre and picnic hampers for the Big Jubilee Lunch on Sunday. sacrewell.org.uk
HERTFORDSHIRE
Ashridge
Enjoy a patriotic day at The Best of British Car Show on Saturday. The Giant Jubilee Picnic will be held in the grounds on Sunday, when you can meet Tudor kings and queens, play historic royal games and dance around the maypole. events.ashridgehouse.org.uk
St Albans
The Platinum Party takes place in the city centre on Thursday with live music and market stalls and entertainment with children’s activities including games, face painting, circus skills workshops and a magic show. www.stalbans.gov.uk
Hertford
Celebrate at on Thursday with a brass band concert, afternoon tea and traditional lawn games. www.hertford.gov.uk
BEDFORDSHIRE
Shuttleworth
The aeronautical museum hosts The Jubilee Fly In on Friday with food and live music. The Jubilee Flying Circus follows on Sunday with a show-stopping air show featuring the incredible wing walkers. www.shuttleworth.org
Moggerhanger Park
A beacon lighting event is planned for Thursday with a bouncy castle, face painting, music, BBQ, and an after-party with dancing in the courtyard. moggerhangerpark.com
Woodland Manor Hotel
ESSEX
Great Dunmow
Enjoy a secret tea party at Talliston House from Thursday to Sunday with canapés, fizz, a high tea and exclusive use of the house and gardens to explore and enjoy. talliston.com
Burnham-on-Crouch
Part of the Essex Book Festival, Greenwood Words is a special Jubilee event taking place on Thursday around the Quay. Enjoy salty storytelling, The Poetry Pharmacy, workshops, witchy walks, and the opportunity to plant your own Jubilee acorn. essexbookfestival.org.uk
Search for more Jubilee events taking place near you at platinumjubilee.gov.uk
Tag Eastlife on all social networks in your Jubilee celebrations using #eastlife
