The Queens Diamond Jubilee! Celebrate it in Belgravia & Mayfair!
The Diamond Jubilee anniversary will celebrate 60 years of Her Highness’ reign. It will be held on the bank holiday weekend, from June 2 until June 5. Whether you already live in Belgravia or Mayfair, or you’re planning to visit, we can guarantee that you’ll find plenty to do during your bank holiday Jubilee celebrations. In fact, there’s so much happening, that we’ve put together a set of Jubilee guides to help you plan a royally remarkable weekend.
The Queen’s Jubilee Holiday in Mayfair and Belgravia
Jubilee Events – Our estates are pulling out all the stops to put on a big bank holiday bonanza for the Queen’s anniversary. This guide has all the big dates for your diary, including live music, parties and exhibitions, as well as ticket information.
Jubilee Food – Mayfair and Belgravia are already favourite destinations for fervent foodies, and the bank holiday weekend looks to be tastier than ever. Our food guide looks at the best locations for breakfast, lunch and dinner during the celebrations, and looks at special culinary events.
Jubilee Drink – Whether you prefer alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks, Belgravia and Mayfair are just the ticket if you want to raise a glass to Her Majesty. Here you’ll find ideas for bars, clubs and pubs you can visit for a delightfully British bank holiday.
Jubilee Street Parties – Street parties are a modern Jubilee tradition and, unsurprisingly, several of Mayfair and Belgravia’s streets are breaking out the bunting and putting on parties of their own. Check this page for all the dates and details.
Jubilee Shopping – If you’re putting on your own shindig in honour of the Queen you’ll need to shop around for some party essentials. We give a street-by-street guide to shopping in central London, and some hints and tips to help with your own pre-party planning.
Mayfair and Belgravia – The Royal Family’s Own Corner of London
If you join in the celebrations on our estates, you’ll notice they display a unique sense of forward-thinking optimism and time-honoured tradition. There’s a good reason for this – Mayfair and Belgravia have long been associated with the Royal Family, and with the Queen herself.
• Belgravia rapidly developed when the neighbouring Buckingham House was turned into Buckingham Palace – a home fit for a king, or King George IV, to be precise
• Queen Victoria was so taken with the charms of Belgravia that she rented a house on Belgrave Square for her mother
• The Goring Hotel in Belgravia has provided lodgings for many royals over the years, as well as housing visiting royals from abroad in the run up to the Queen’s coronation. It also hosted the bridal party shortly before the royal wedding last year
• Just to the North in Mayfair, the Dorchester Hotel was the chosen venue for Prince Philip’s stag do in 1947. Claridge’s, also in Mayfair, is another favourite hotel amongst royals
• Last but not least, Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth was born in a house on Bruton Street, Mayfair in 1926
The Queen’s Jubilee Through the Years
The Queen’s Jubilee holiday celebrations have all been marked with a great deal of fanfare. People have poured onto the streets to celebrate, millions have watched televised live music events, thousands have turned out for the grand parades across London – and believe it or not, the Diamond Jubilee 2012 looks like it could be the best yet! Let’s take a look at how the anniversary has been celebrated, from the Silver Jubilee in 1977, to the Diamond Jubilee this June:
The Queen’s Silver Jubilee Anniversary, 1977
• Held to commemorate 25 years of rule
• The Queen visited 36 UK counties and several commonwealth countries overseas
• An estimated 4,000 street parties were held in London alone
• The Queen received more than 100,000 cards congratulating her on her anniversary
• 500 million people watched the Thanksgiving Service at St. Pauls
• The Jubilee London Underground Line was named in honour of the Queen’s Jubilee holiday
• The Post Office issued four commemorative stamps • Celebrated 50 years since Elizabeth’s accession to the throne
The Queen’s Golden Jubilee Anniversary, 2002
• At the age of 76, the Queen was the oldest monarch ever to celebrate a Golden Jubilee
• The Queen toured more than 70 towns and cities across the UK
• Brian May memorably opened proceedings at the ‘Party at the Palace’ concert by playing the British national anthem from the roof of Buckingham Palace
• Approximately 200 million viewers watched the concert
• HRH received more than 30,000 congratulatory emails and 17,500 letters
The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Anniversary, 2012
• Will honour the 60th anniversary of the Queen’s accession
• She becomes the second longest-serving monarch (Queen Victoria reigned for 63 years)
• Big events include the Diamond Jubilee Concert and the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant, which will see more than 1,000 boats take to the Thames in honour of Her Majesty
• In the 60 years since she became Queen, HRH has visited 116 different countries
• Also this year, the Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh will celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary