The Best Moments of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee
The Best Moments of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee
Ten highlights from four historic days of celebrations, plus a few thoughts on what it was like to be there.
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Hello! I’m back from London, but my head and heart are still swirling from the excitement of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations. The 96-year-old monarch marked her historic milestone in the finest of fashions. Below you will find a list of 10 moments I can’t stop thinking about. (It was nearly impossible to whittle this down—Prince Louis could have his own list 😅).
What was your favorite part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee? Please hit “Join the discussion” at the bottom of this email and share in the comments of this newsletter. And thank you for all of your support on Instagram! It was such fun being able to share my jubilee adventures with you.
ICYMI: Jubilee retrospective / My chat with Downton Abbey’s costume designer / Royal-inspired London Travel Guide Part 1 and Part 2
Ten Highlights from the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee
(All photos via Getty Images)
A Royal Repeat
The first image of the Platinum Jubilee weekend was fittingly of the Queen, in a new portrait by Ranald Mackechnie released Wednesday afternoon. Seated on a cushion in a vestibule at Windsor Castle, the Queen is wearing a coat and dress by Angela Kelly (in a familiar shade of light blue!). Ever the practical one, and always aware of her visual brand, the monarch opted to wear the same ensemble when she stepped out onto the balcony of Buckingham Palace Thursday morning. The back-to-back appearances made this outfit *the* jubilee look, destined to hang in a museum one day.
For the second wearing, Her Majesty paired it with a matching hat crafted in the same up-turned brim style as one she wore for her Diamond Jubilee a decade ago. It meant that the public, and the cameras, had full view of the Queen’s face throughout her time on the balcony. The monarch’s best accessory, however, had to be her megawatt smile.
Cam Kids in the Carriage
We knew the Cambridge kids would join the Queen and their parents on the balcony for Trooping the Colour Thursday. And, WOW, was it delightful to see little Lou bring every ounce of his four-year-old / third-child energy up there. (The photo in the header of this email might be one of my most favorite royal photos of all time!) Even from my spot down near the fountain you could tell he was chatting up his great grandmother.
What was less certain Thursday morning was whether or not the siblings would appear in a carriage for the parade. I was stationed in my spot down on the mall when it was confirmed, thanks to my friend’s cousin’s mom who was watching on TV and called to confirm it (how’s that for a game of telephone! 😅). When the carriage trotted by, I swooned at the sight of Prince Louis sandwiched between Prince George and Princess Charlotte, smooshed together on a single bench. But what I missed from my vantage point—and what you can see in this shot—is the way Lottie’s hand is resting on Lou’s.
Who’s Under That Hat?
For the first time in seven decades, the Queen did not receive the salute from her personal troops during Trooping the Colour. Instead, her son Prince Charles did so on her behalf. I was excited for the chance to see the Prince of Wales in the parade, but I’ll confess I nearly missed the prince because of his tall fur hat. The bearskin is meant to be worn down around the eyes, with the strap around his mouth, all but concealing the face. Once we sorted out who was who—Prince William and Princess Anne were just behind him—I paused to take it all in. It was quite poignant to see Charles leading the charge, a sign of what is to come.
The Return of the Sussexes
Anticipation was at an all-time high on Friday morning as we waited to see Harry and Meghan outside the Service of Thanksgiving at St. Paul’s Cathedral. The first glimpse of the couple back in the royal fold had come on Thursday, thanks to a few grainy long-lens images of the Sussexes in the window of Horse Guards during Trooping. The duchess looked absolutely GORGEOUS in that incredible hat, and what a perfect way to very discreetly show that they were there.
We know now that Friday was their only public jubilee appearance. As much as I would have loved to see them more, I understand and respect their low profile. And I love the one outfit we saw from Meghan! In head-to-toe Dior haute couture, she looked simultaneously like herself (a belted trench is a signature style for her), so glam (that HAT), but also understated (the way the light gray blended with the stone of the cathedral). Very well done.
Reflections on Royal Fashion
Being in the crowds for several of the jubilee moments reinforced the unusual demands of royal fashion. Bright colors really do help a member of the family jump out, especially at a place like St. Paul’s where the crowds were kept quite far back. Shoutout to Princess Eugenie in orange that day, or Zara Tindall in bright pink. Shapes play a big part, too; a voluminous coat or a large hat makes it easier to spot the person you came to see.
And yet! The details of a look need to sing for the photographs, which is how most of the world experiences these moments. Kate’s ensemble for the Service of Thanksgiving did all of that beautifully. I could spot her large circular hat from my obscured view in the crowd. And afterwards, I swooned over the up-close pictures, like how the flowers on Kate’s hat worked so well with her updo. But mostly, the Queen’s earrings were my favorite touch, instantly recognizable from a portrait early on in her reign. It’s the same pair Kate wore to Prince Philip’s funeral last year.
Learning the Ropes
The Cambridge kids joined their parents on Saturday for a trip to Wales. (It was clearly important for the royal family to spread out around the U.K to celebrate the jubilee, as Sophie and Edward headed up to Northern Ireland.) At Cardiff Castle, Will, Kate, George and Charlotte did a little walkabout with the crowds gathered. I was fascinated by the photos, and the ways in which the royal couple helped their kids in what had to have been an overwhelming setting for them. Just look at how Will is holding his son’s shoulders! George looks like a little mini-me. And who else could teach him this? Shaking hands, accepting flowers, making small talk — it’s all going to be a big part of their royal life for a long time to come.
So That’s What’s in the Queen’s Handbag!
The Queen surprised viewers of the BBC’s Platinum Party at the Palace by appearing in the opening segment alongside Paddington, the beloved fictional bear. We last saw the Queen share the screen a decade ago, opening the London Olympics in a skit with James Bond. That was daring—but this! This made me cry. The way she pulls a marmalade sandwich out of her bag? Tears! I am still not able to properly sum up what it felt like to be in the crowd watching this, it was really so dear. You can watch the full segment here.
Mom of the Year
KATE! I cannot stop thinking about Kate. Kate wins the award for Mom of the Year after these last four days, in which we saw more of the three Cambridge children than we have in years. Prince Louis, in particular, gave her a run for her money at Sunday’s pageant. I feel for the four year old; sitting still for that amount of time would be tricky. The clips of his antics made me laugh, but gosh if my heart didn’t go out to Kate trying to manage it all with the world watching. She kept her cool the whole time! THE WHOLE DAMN TIME. I am in awe. (I hope that she has been able to retreat to a spa, or even just a quiet room by herself, to properly recover.)
Bookended Balcony Moments
Her Majesty bookended the jubilee festivities with a surprise second appearance on the balcony of Buckingham Palace Sunday evening. But I was struck by how different they each felt. The opener, on Thursday morning, saw 17 members of the family in military uniforms and glamorous daywear surrounding the Queen. Bathed in sunlight, the balcony decorated with bunting, the gathering projected a classic image of the monarchy, one rooted in history and tradition.
Cut to Sunday, however, and a much different feeling emerged beneath the cloudy London skies. The Queen was flanked only by her direct heirs and their families. She returned to her signature style, with a vibrant green coat dress by Stewart Parvin. But everyone else was just slightly less formal. The heirs wore dark suits and tied, neither Kate nor Camilla wore a hat. It seemed more modern, more relatable, and certainly more slimmed down—hinting at what the next chapter will look like.
A Great Grandson’s Smile
So often when the Cambridge children are out in public they have what I would call a reserved expression, eyeing the crowds with a bit of skepticism. Can you blame them! The public engagements they participate in would overwhelm most grown-ups. But that hint of trepidation makes the very genuine smiles all the more precious.
In the final moments of the jubilee celebrations, Prince George, who is just weeks away from turning 9, shared the sweetest exchange with his great grandmother. This photo warms every part of my heart, and sums up how it felt to witness the festivities. To quote Paddington: “Happy Jubilee, Ma’am. And thank you. For everything.”
What moment of the Queen’s Platinum stood out most to you? Please hit “Join the Discussion” to share in the comments.
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