This year, Her Majesty the Queen celebrates 60 glorious years on the throne, and to mark the occasion there will be joyous events held across the length and breadth of the UK.
The Diamond Jubilee has caught the imagination of almost every person in the country, and there is no better way of celebrating it than by exploring the land Elizabeth II has ruled since 1952.
Although the Queen may live in London, some of the biggest and best – and free – events are taking place 400 miles away in Edinburgh.
Over the Jubilee weekend (June 2nd to 5th), the Royal Yacht Britannia will be celebrating the event by enabling visitors to sample some Jubilee cake, sparkling wine and collect a souvenir rosette.
In addition, the Yacht is marking the event by welcoming back up to 90 of her former crew, the Royal Yachtsmen, when the bunting will be out and there will be plenty of food and entertainment on board.
The Palace of Holyroodhosue is also hosting the Treasures from the Queen’s Palaces event, which will bring together items from monarchs and other members of the royal family who have shaped one of the world’s great art collections.
With over 100 outstanding works compiled over five centuries and taken from eight royal residences, the paintings, drawings, miniatures, watercolours, manuscripts, furniture, sculpture, ceramics and jewellery will be a sight to behold.
Not be outdone by its more northerly counterpart, Yorkshire will be celebrating the 60th year of Her Majesty’s reign with its own special events.
On Sunday June 3rd, Ripon Cathedral will host a special Diamond Jubilee service that will include fanfares and special anthems to mark the occasion.
Members of the North Yorkshire Lord Lieutenancy – the Queen’s representatives in the region – will attend, as well as the Bishops of Ripon, Leeds and Knaresborough, in an event that is open to everybody, free of charge.
South Yorkshire will also be playing its part, when Brodsworth Hall and Gardens hosts A Right Royal Weekend, which takes people back exactly 100 years to the Edwardian era.
The event will include falconry displays, costumed performers, music, a travelling cinema and even traditional Punch & Judy shows, while the King and Queen themselves will arrive later in the day.
Every corner of the UK will be hosting Diamond Jubilee events, and Cornwall’s array of attractions are no exception, with St Ives’ festivities packing a major punch.
The Western Hotel will stage an exhibition including a display about the coronation celebrations in St Ives, with slides and a short film looking back over the 60 years of Her Majesty’s reign.
Meanwhile, Sunday June 3rd will see the Big Lunch take place on harbour beach, which will include Jubilee Grace, a toast to the Queen and plenty of other celebrations, and will be open to all.
This will be only the second time in the history of Britain that a monarch has ruled for 60 years, and people up and down the UK will be taking advantage of this by setting off on trips to the other side of the country.
One thing to remember during the jaunt is that, although you may not be heading abroad, travel insurance is still required.
With the unpredictable British weather, cancellations are always a problem, with this applying to the trip itself as much as the events taking place, and so it may be a good idea to take out comprehensive single trip travel insurance, which provides up to £5,000 of cancellation cover.
As well as personal belongings and baggage cover, perhaps the most important element is peace of mind, as people can set off around the UK and see how different places are celebrating Elizabeth II’s 60 glorious years ruling Britain.
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