Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee 2022: Queen says she is 'deeply touched' by jubilee celebration

The queen is the first British monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee.

Last Updated: June 5, 2022, 2:13 PM EDT

The U.K. threw a once-in-a-generation celebration for Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee.

The 96-year-old queen is the first British monarch in history to reach a Platinum Jubilee, which marks 70 years on the throne.

Elizabeth ascended to the throne on Feb. 6, 1952, following the death of her father, King George VI.

The queen's Platinum Jubilee celebration included everything from Trooping the Color to a National Service of Thanksgiving, a star-studded concert led by Diana Ross, thousands of lunches and street parties across the country and a final appearance by the queen herself.

Latest updates:

Here is how the news developed. All times Eastern.
Jun 02, 2022, 9:45 AM EDT

Bidens release video message to Queen

President Joe Biden and first lady Dr. Jill Biden tweeted a video message congratulating the Queen.

"Your Majesty, congratulations on your Platinum Jubilee. For 70 years, you've inspired people with your selfless devotion and service to the people of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth," Biden said. "Throughout your reign, the relationship between the United Kingdom and the United States has grown stronger and closer than ever."

The first lady added her own well-wishes. "Throughout the years, the joy your visits to the United States have brought Americans, and your solidarity with the American people in times of tragedy, have deepened the friendship and profound connection between our countries," she said. "And Joe and I were so touched by the generosity and welcome you showed to us when we visited you at Windsor Castle last year, during our first visit overseas as President and First Lady."

"Congratulations, Your Majesty, and have a wonderful Platinum Jubilee celebration," she added.

Jun 02, 2022, 8:55 AM EDT

Queen Elizabeth II shares adorable moment with great-grandson

They are 92 years apart in age, but Queen Elizabeth, 96, and her great-grandson, Prince Louis, 4, appear to share a close bond.

The queen was seen answering Louis’s questions and pointing things out to him while the two watched military jets fly overhead on the balcony of Buckingham Palace at the end of Trooping the Color.

PHOTO: Prince George, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte travel in a horse-drawn carriage during the Queen's Birthday Parade, the Trooping the Color, as part of Queen Elizabeth II's platinum jubilee celebrations, in London, June 2, 2022.
Prince George of Cambridge, Prince Louis of Cambridge and Princess Charlotte of Cambridge travel in a horse-drawn carriage during the Queen's Birthday Parade, the Trooping the Color, as part of Queen Elizabeth II's platinum jubilee celebrations, in London, June 2, 2022.
Aaron Chown/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Louis, one of the queen’s nine great-grandchildren, is the youngest child of Prince William and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge.

Queen Elizabeth II, Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Louis, Princess Charlotte watch from the balcony of Buckingham Place after the Trooping the Color ceremony in London, June 2, 2022.
Aaron Chown/AP

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Charles, Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Louis, Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, Princess Charlotte, Prince George and Prince William on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, London, June 2, 2022.
Alastair Grant/AP

He joined his siblings, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, on the balcony and, earlier, in a carriage to travel to Buckingham Palace.

PHOTO: Queen Elizabeth, Prince Charles and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, along with Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis appear on the balcony of Buckingham Palace in London, June 2, 2022.
Queen Elizabeth, Prince Charles and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, along with Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis appear on the balcony of Buckingham Palace as part of Trooping the Color parade during the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations in London, June 2, 2022.
Hannah Mckay/Reuters

Jun 02, 2022, 8:01 AM EDT

Royal family watches military jets fly over Buckingham Palace

Britain’s royal family, led by Queen Elizabeth II, gathered on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to watch a traditional military flypast at the end of Trooping the Color.

Thanks in part to a weather-cooperating, beautiful sunny day in London, aircraft from the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force were able to fly directly down the length of the Mall and over the palace.

The queen, wearing sunglasses, watched the flypast with other members of the royal family, including Prince William and Kate’s children, Prince Louis, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, who were seen talking with the queen.

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Charles, Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Louis, Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, Princess Charlotte, Prince George and Prince William on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, London, June 2, 2022.
Alastair Grant/AP

Down below the balcony, outside the palace gates, thousands of members of the public gathered to see the queen and watch the flypast, which is so fierce and low that onlookers say they can feel the ground rumble.

Members of the public fill The Mall ahead of a fly-past over Buckingham Palace, during the Queen's Birthday Parade, the Trooping the Colour, as part of Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee celebrations, in London on June 2, 2022.
Paul Ellis/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

The Red Arrows perform after the Trooping the Color parade in celebration of Britain's Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee, in London, June 2, 2022.
Henry Nicholls/Reuters

Jun 02, 2022, 7:55 AM EDT

Who’s who on the balcony of Buckingham Palace

Queen Elizabeth II is holding court on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, where the royal family gathers to watch the military flypast at the end of Trooping the Color.

This year, the queen decided only royal family members who are “undertaking official public duties” on her behalf would appear on the balcony.

The Royal family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace watch the RAF flypast during the Trooping the Color parade on June 2, 2022 in London.
Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Those family members include:

Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.
Prince William and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, and their children, George, Charlotte and Louis.
Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex, and their children, Louise and James.
Princess Anne and Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence.
Prince Richard and Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester.
Prince Edward, Duke of Kent.
Princess Alexandra.

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Charles, Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Louis, Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, Princess Charlotte, Prince George and Prince William on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, London, June 2, 2022.
Alastair Grant/AP

Noticeably absent from the balcony this year because they are no longer senior working royals are the queen’s son, Prince Andrew, and her grandson, Prince Harry, and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex.

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