Commissioning artists and communities from around the
country and Commonwealth, and more than 5,000
military personnel, performers, key workers and
volunteers from across the UK unite centre-stage to tell
the story of The Queen’s 70-year reign and our
transforming society
The Platinum Jubilee Pageant Company reveal arrangements for the
2022 celebrations
LONDON 29th June 2021 - Colossal ‘Queen’s Beasts’ the height of three storey houses, dragons the
dimension of London buses, and more than 5,000 military personnel, performers, key workers and
volunteers from across the UK and all corners of the Commonwealth are planned to celebrate The
Queen’s 70-year reign next year in the Platinum Jubilee Pageant.
The Pageant, to be held in London on Sunday 5th June 2022, is shaping up to be one of the largest
celebratory events for decades, drawing participants from every corner of the nation and
Commonwealth. Winding its way through the streets of Westminster and along The Mall past
Buckingham Palace, the Pageant will tell the story of Her Majesty’s record reign – longer than that of
any previous British Monarch – and our transforming society over this unprecedented period. The
Platinum Jubilee weekend will provide an opportunity for the nation to emerge re-energised, as we
honour and applaud The Queen’s lifelong dedication to the country and Commonwealth.
Creativity, technology, wit and ingenuity will underpin this spectacular venture. Sir Michael
Morpurgo, author of War Horse, has written a faerie story titled There once is a Queen, which Pageant
Master Adrian Evans LVO is bringing to life, harnessing the talents of artists and creatives from every
part of the United Kingdom and beyond. Every decade from the 1950s to the present digital age will
be reflected in the Pageant, as well as many of The Queen’s enthusiasms from racehorses and corgis,
to the Commonwealth and the environment. It will celebrate the achievements and progress since the
dawn of the second Elizabethan age, and beyond into the future.
The reach of the Pageant will extend far beyond London, and the organisers are striving to include
communities and people from all backgrounds, from every part of the nation. The Platinum Jubilee
Pageant is expected to draw an audience - live, via television and every conceivable platform - which
should run into hundreds of millions across the globe.
The organising company, The Platinum Jubilee Pageant, is co-chaired by Sir Michael Lockett KCVO
and Nicholas Coleridge CBE. The CEO is Rosanna Machado. As with previous Jubilees, the Pageant
is privately funded, financed by a mixture of corporate partners, commercial businesses, royal warrant
holders and generous individuals, who wish to honour Her Majesty The Queen and her extraordinary
seven decades of service.
Nicholas Coleridge CBE, Co-Chairman, comments: “The Platinum Jubilee weekend is an opportunity
for the country to emerge re-energised and renewed, expressing optimism and confidence. It will be
something of a reopening ceremony for the United Kingdom, following a period of uncertainty and
hardship, a catalysing moment of unity and fun. Through the fusion of ceremonial and pageantry with
razzmatazz and festival, we intend to create a spectacle that is at once energising and memorable and a
fitting tribute to The Queen.”
Sir Michael Lockett KCVO, Co-Chairman of the Platinum Jubilee Pageant, says: “Our aspirations for
this wonderful tribute to The Queen are coming together very well. Through the celebrations, it’s our
vision that come the 5th June, Central London will be filled with thousands of people from all corners
of the United Kingdom, and from across the Commonwealth, celebrating Her Majesty The Queen and
some of the defining moments of this seismic era for our country. From the rebuilding of the post-war
fifties, the Pageant will take us on a journey through to the digital decade of the nineties and onwards
to today where we stand on the cusp of new adventures and fresh progress.”
Adrian Evans LVO, Pageant Master added: “The Pageant invites diverse communities to play their
part in the celebrations in their own unique, creative way – placing them centre stage. We are
commissioning artists and the communities they work with to interpret different chapters of The
Queen’s reign in a spectacular unfolding story filled with wonder, warmth, wit and wow-factor. We will
interpret the Coronation, Royal Weddings and Jubilees. We are inspired by The Queen’s regard for
family values, her care for community, her love of the natural environment, her passion for
equestrianism and her constant corgi companions. There also is a tribute to The Queen and the Duke
of Edinburgh’s most joyous moments.”
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden says: "The Platinum Jubilee will see the nation come together and
celebrate her 70-year reign with the Pageant bringing it to life in spectacular technicolour. Alongside
an exciting programme of events and activities, 2022 is set to be a blockbuster year, bursting with
national pride and showcasing the best of Britain to the world."
The Pageant is underpinned by a commitment to sustainability and social impact and inclusivity. The
environmental impact will be measured and where possible creative projects will have a life before or
after the Pageant. The company will offer internships and volunteering opportunities and encourage the
creative projects to measure the impact that they are having in the local community.
Act I - Ceremonial
The Ceremonial will feature marching bands, serving troops and veterans, men and women
representing the four corners of the UK, and the Commonwealth, marching along The Mall and
through some of London’s most iconic streets with military precision.
Act II - Celebration
Amongst monumental heraldic figures that represent the Royal Lineage from more than a thousand
years, will be an extraordinary puppet dragon created by outdoor arts producers working with the City
of Plymouth. The dragon is larger than a double-decker bus and has a wingspan that is the width of The
Mall. Within the action, will be a playful young Princess Elizabeth seen teasing the dragon with a pearl
– the traditional symbol of strength, wisdom and power.
Commissioned street theatre vignettes which interpret the Seven Decades through the lens of teenage
culture – changing fashion, new music and dance styles, and great achievements in sport - will
incorporate the constant, yet evolving presence of The Queen, and provide the Pageant with a
structured chronological framework.
The Coronation will be showcased in carnival-style with the centrepiece ‘Queen’ and ‘King’ costumes
representing The Queen and Prince Philip. The Princess ascended the throne while on safari in Kenya
and over 250 costumes will be created which imagine the animal kingdom’s response to the new
Queen in their midst.
Under the guidance of local artists, children will create designs that are made into flags which are
carried by 200 young dancers. The project will be led by an international team of 20 artists who will
be conducting art workshops with children in Belfast, Boston, Cardiff, Coventry, the Highlands of
Scotland, Liverpool, London, and Stockton-on-Tees; and overseas in Bangladesh, Ghana, India,
Pakistan, Rwanda and Tanzania. This beautiful meandering river of flags will celebrate the creativity
of the young and the strength in diversity. The music for this group will be made through a further
creative collaboration: young brass musicians from Edinburgh and Glasgow will perform together
with percussion players from South London. The ensemble of a hundred players will feature the
bass-rumble of ten sousaphones, giving them a distinctive, Mardi Gras sound.
Celebrating Unique UK will be fashion, music and the physical prowess of elite athletes and
performers – both disabled and able-bodied. The team behind this chapter of the Pageant are a
Bristol-based group called Cirque Bijou. The section will feature a trapeze artist, suspended beneath a
vast helium-filled balloon printed with the image of The Queen. Performers and acrobats will animate
a huge mobile structure with a central ‘crown’ feature which will be based on the archways installed
on The Mall for the Coronation.
The Coventry-based group Imagineer Productions will use humour and distinctive Britishness
quirkiness to celebrate Her Majesty’s extraordinary life. There will be ponies, racehorses – all of The
Queen’s Favourites - and misbehaving Corgis too – creating comic chaos along The Mall. Designed
and created in collaboration with fashion students from Coventry University, a monumental puppet
will be dressed for the occasion in a Platinum frock printed with photographic informal images of
some of The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh’s most joyous moments. A group of 75 young dancers
– part of Birmingham’s Commonwealth Games Cultural Programme - will provide energy and
exuberance. The puppet’s horse, powered by 30 cyclists, will carry a giant Platinum Crown which
elevates and descends in salutation.
Drawing on the creative talent of Asian Mela partners in Bradford, Hull, London, Leicester, Luton,
Newcastle, Southampton and Worcester will be a joyous, multi-generational celebration of Royal
Weddings and Jubilees.
Inspired by The Queen’s care for local communities, her nurturing of charities and her love of the
natural environment, The Oak Tree will be the dominant visual for this part of the Pageant, an honour
to the traditional May Day and other regional celebrations.
The final section will be a Thank You Dance which invites key workers from Tilbury and the East of
England to take part in the celebrations alongside emerging dancers, and local heroes and heroines.
The Pageant will harness creativity, ingenuity, humour and community spirit. It will mash street
theatre, music-on-the-move, urban dance, and the very best of Carnival, May Day, Mela, Fiesta and
Mardi Gras, whilst drawing on traditions that unite everyone in celebration of this historic occasion.
Act III – Finale
The finale of the grand celebrations of the Pageant will be revealed next year.
The Platinum Jubilee Pageant, as part of the extended Bank Holiday Weekend, will take place on
Sunday 5th June 2022, to provide an opportunity for communities and people to celebrate the historic
milestone of Her Majesty The Queen as the first British Monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee with
70 years of service. The four days of celebrations will include public events and community activities,
as well as national moments of reflection on The Queen’s reign of seven decades.
For further information please visit the Pageant website.