Queen Elizabeth II was the only British monarch to celebrate silver, gold, diamond and platinum jubilees marking her 25th, 50th, 60th and 70th jubilee from the throne.
Here’s a look back at how the celebrations marked the constants and changes in British society and Britain’s relationship with its royal family.
– 1977 Silver Jubilee –
The celebrations saw nationwide street parties, with people hanging British flags and taking their tables out onto the streets for patriotic community parties.
An estimated one million people saw the monarch’s carriage procession through London.
The sovereign reaffirmed her vows of service, erected a series of beacons across the country, and took a boat trip along the River Thames.
A rare crown, 25p coin, was minted and the new route of the London Underground was named the Jubilee Line.
“A lot has changed for Britain in those 25 years,” said Queen Elizabeth.
“We are no longer an imperial power, we have come to terms with what that means for us and our relations with the rest of the world,” she said.
She said developments in science, technology and medicine have improved people’s lives, not to mention television.
In a more neighborly era, communities held sporting events, competitions, festivals, parades, and fundraisers.
The celebration was a bright spot amid the economic gloom – but not everyone joined in.
The Sex Pistols released their punk anthem “God Save The Queen” and sailed past Parliament to perform an infamous stunt.
– Golden Jubilee 2002 –
After the tumultuous 1990s and monarchy’s popularity slump, newspapers predicted the event would be a flop riddled with cynicism and apathy.
However, the golden jubilee brought back the feel-good factor and allowed Britons to once again show their support for the royal family.
The sovereign lost her sister Princess Margaret in February and her 101-year-old mother Queen Elizabeth in March, prompting public sympathy.
Street parties were back, although not on the scale of 1977.
A pop concert in the gardens of Buckingham Palace was capped off by Queen guitarist Brian May playing the national anthem on the roof while a million people filled the streets outside.
The monarch’s grandsons, Princes William and Harry, have been spotted in public for the first time with their stepmother-to-be Camilla.
An appearance on the balcony of Buckingham Palace was crowned by a Concorde flypast.
“Anyone who can remember what it was like after those six long years of war appreciates the immense changes that have been achieved since then,” said Queen Elizabeth.
“I think we can look back with measured pride.”
– 2012 Diamond Jubilee –
The anniversary was part of a golden summer for Britain when the London 2012 Olympic Games were held in July and August.
The June 2-5 celebrations were inspired by past anniversaries, with a river procession, beacons, a thanksgiving service and a pop concert.
The pageant of 1,000 boats was the largest flotilla on the Thames in 350 years. An estimated 1.2 million people lined the riverbanks to watch despite torrential rain.
The monarch’s husband, Prince Philip, then spent five nights on the lead barge in hospital with a bladder infection.
The concert in front of Buckingham Palace was put together by Take That’s Gary Barlow.
An estimated 8.5 million people attended the Great Jubilee Dinner gatherings, which replaced street festivals.
The clock tower of the Houses of Parliament was renamed the Elizabeth Tower and the Olympic Park also took her name.
Only Queen Elizabeth, Prince Charles and his family could be seen on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, signaling the future direction of the monarchy.
“I recommit myself to your service,” Queen Elizabeth said, calling it “a time to give thanks for the great strides that have been made since 1952 and to look to the future with clear heads and warm hearts.”
The event was a hit on the monarchy’s social media channels.
– Platinum Anniversary 2022 –
The June 2-5 celebrations proved to be the last public celebration of Queen Elizabeth’s reign.
The 96-year-old was without Prince Philip, who died in 2021.
Britain had now left the European Union, with a cost of living crisis.
Queen Elizabeth made limited appearances due to her mobility issues, but did appear on the balcony of Buckingham Palace with a walking stick.
Jubilee bonfires were lit in every Commonwealth capital.
The Royal Mint issued commemorative crowns, now worth £5.
In a country gripped by televised baking contests, the Platinum Pudding contest was won by a combination of lemon Swiss roll and amaretti trifle.
The Platinum Party at the Palace concert memorably began with Queen Elizabeth interacting with a computer-generated Paddington Bear and tapping the “We Will Rock You” beat on her teacup.
Four hundred drones made a light show over the palace.
“Although I may not have personally attended every event, my heart was with you all; and I remain committed to serving you to the best of my ability,” said the monarch.
Queen Elizabeth died three months later.
