GUEST DIARY• BY: KAREN KLOPP AND HILARY DICK
Across the pond, the British Empire is rejoicing HRH Queen Elizabeth’s extraordinary reign of the kingdom for 70 years. The Platinum Jubilee celebrates this historic milestone with gatherings of both her loyal subjects and those of us who have cherished the Queen and her steadfast devotion to the oath she swore 70 years ago.
From Thursday, June 2 through Sunday, June 5th the world will turn up in Great Britain either on the soil or across the airwaves to pay tribute to the Queen.
Friday, June 2 commences the weekend’s festivities with a military spectacle known as Trooping the Colour — where soldiers, horses and musicians parade in stately style. This day also marks the official celebration of The Queen’s birthday.
The troops will parade from Buckingham Palace down The Mall as members of the Royal Family on horseback and in carriages join the procession. Just as the Royal Family appears on the balcony of The Palace, RAF pilots will wow the crowd as they perform a daring fly-past.
In thinking about what to wear to dress for the day-long celebration in the streets, it must be comfortable for walking (last time in London, we clocked eight miles a day) yet stylish enough to reflect the festivities. I choose a neutral palette from Veronica Beard, a brand with appeal to the young set ingenues as well as their mothers.
Trending: high waisted pants, midi skirts and restrained embellishments. The Loewe bag is a perfect addition to tote all of the essentials of the day; an Eric Javits packable hat, an extra pair of shoes, and of course, a brolly as probability of rain is 25% each day.
Friday evening at a special ceremony at Buckingham Palace, the first of the Platinum Jubilee Beacon will be lit and it will inaugurate a chain of lighting across the lands. The United Kingdom has a long tradition of lighting beacons as a symbol of unity. Once used as a tool for communication, the fiery fetes now celebrate Royal Jubilees, Weddings and Coronations. Beacons will be lit in all 54 capital cities of the Commonwealth and thousands of Community Beacons will be lit by communities and organizations.
On Friday, June 2 at 11:30 a.m., an historic Service of Thanksgiving for The Queen’s reign will be held at St Paul’s Cathedral. It will include prayers, anthems, bible readings and hymns to commemorate and bless the Queen’s reign. Great Paul, the largest church bell in the country, will be rung by hand as a symbol of hope for peace and unity; something we need now more than ever.
For a church-going ensemble, we drew inspiration from the English Rose, a term of endearment used to describe a beautiful woman or girl. The Rose is the national flower of the country, specifically the Tudor Rose deemed by Henry VII as the emblem of peace.
Love what Timo Weiland is doing with his by Timo line. Here are two beautiful florals, at once both lady-like and modern. As a tribute to Her Majesty’s preference for coats, we suggest this boucle coat from St. John whose knits are timely and quality is flawless. This is a terrific separate to pack for traveling. To complete the full church-lady look; hats, heels and gloves are de rigueur.
Speaking of roses, our friend Tom Shaffer is currently in London and sent these stunning photos in celebration of the Chelsea Flower Show and anticipation of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
“Her face appears in many storefronts and Queen’s Jubilee merchandise is sold in every major department store (although many of the most popular items have been sold out for months). The Queen is truly beloved and Great Britain is celebrating her humanity, stability, and devotion as the longest reigning monarch in the nation’s history.”
On Saturday, June 4, it’s off to the races at the Epsom Derby as Her Majesty The Queen, accompanied by members of the Royal Family, will attend.
Before you go, a stop by Lock & Co. Hatters is a must-do. It is where I found my first fascinator in 1998. The shop is chock-a-block with chapeaux of every size and description.
Then on Saturday evening, the stars come out to shine for Her Royal Majesty for the Platinum Party at the Palace extravaganza par excellence. Hosted by The Royal Family and the BBC, everyone from Sir Elton John, Sir Rod Stewart, Alicia Keys, and Diana Ross will perform. It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness the greatest musicians and performers of our time.
“The unique Platinum Party stage design consists of three stages, linked by walkways, which create a 360-degree experience in front of Buckingham Palace and The Queen Victoria Memorial. Linking the stages together into one overall design are 70 columns representing Her Majesty’s 70-year reign that can be illuminated to provide a full formation of lights and beams. For the first time, two of the three stages sit immediately in front of Buckingham Palace, framing the iconic home of The Queen.”
In all, over 20,000 fans will converge on the grounds of the Palace. If your invitation was lost in the post, not to worry, the BBC will provide full live coverage of the musical and dance tributes taking place on all three stages.
Hilary has put her best retro Piccadilly vibe together. “I think this is the event to have fun and go all out with your party attire. Sequins, sparkles and mini dresses seem to be just right as you listen to these amazing musicians under the stars. Add a mega platform or heel and dazzling earrings and you will be ready to rock the night away in honor of the Queen.”
But Wait … There’s More! On Sunday, June 5th, the largest gathering yet takes place. Over 60,000 people have registered to host Big Jubilee Lunches on the Platinum celebration weekend, with events ranging from world record attempts for the longest street party to back garden BBQ’s and everything in between.
When we spied these two Cara Cara frock at Saks.com, we knew we had found a fashionable way to wrap up the weekend. Their bright, cheery pattern is just the thing to celebrate the Queen’s milestone with fellow anglophiles. Accessorize with a trendy Eric Javits Bucket Hat, a Cult Gaia Raffia Tote and a fab pair of Stella McCartney Wedge Sneaker, or Espadrilles and you have a super summer ensemble that can travel anywhere.
If you want to be part of this joyful celebration, we have secured the recipe for The Queen’s Jubilee Tart. You can find it in here. And don’t forget to hash tag #HM70 and #PlatinumJubilee
And while we’re at it, why not go all out with the decor?!
To find out more about Jubilee Weekend 2022, download Your Guide to Taking Part.
Long Live the Queen!
