To mark 70 years on the throne, street parties, bank holidays, a live concert and more will be thrown in Her Majesty's honour.
Buckingham Palace has announced plans to mark the Queen's Jubilee with 10 days of huge celebrations between January and July.
The 95-year-old monarch is set to open up her private estate to visitors, musicians and artists to perform, as well as inviting members of the public to design a special Queen Elizabeth II pudding.
Whilst there will be more details to follow in the lead-up to the Jubilee in June, here is every event announced so far:
January
As of today, the Platinum Pudding Competition will begin its search for a winner. It was announced this morning that Buckingham Palace is searching for the perfect pudding to celebrate the platinum celebration. Entries will be judged by the likes of culinary legend and national treasure, Dame Mary Berry.
Dame Mary Berry will judge and find a Platinum Pudding worthy for the Queen. / Image: Eden Project Communities
The competition will follow in the footsteps of the British staple of coronation chicken, a dish created by Le Cordon Bleu to celebrate the Queen's coronation banquet in 1953.
May
Between the 12 and 15 May, the Platinum Jubilee Celebration will commence, where over 1,000 performers and an additional 500 horses will take part in a 90-minute show in honour of Her Majesty. The performance will take the audience through the Queen's reign as well as looking back on year's gone by- right from Elizabeth I to the present day.
Queen Elizabeth II in 1957 during her royal tour in Ottawa. / Image: Rosemary Gilliat Eaton / Library and Archives Canada (Flickr)
June
Both Sandringham and Balmoral will be open for residents and visitors to enjoy the Queen's birthday celebrations across the Bank Holiday and on Thursday 2 June, The Queen's Birthday Parade (Trooping the Colour) will consist of over 1,200 officers from the Household Division. The colour will trooped on Horse Guards Parade by the 1st Battalion and Irish Guards.
The Queen's Coronation in 1953. / Image: Canada. Department of National Defence. Library and Archives Canada (Flickr)
On Friday 3 June, a Service of Thanksgiving will be held at St Paul's Cathedral to honour the Queen's reign, and the UK will join other UK territories, Channel Islands and more to light a beacon to mark the occasion. In London, the Principal Beacon will be lit in a ceremony at Buckingham Palace.
On Saturday 4 June, the Big Jubilee Lunch will be held. Street parties are already being planned across the UK and neighbours are expected to come together to mark the occasion.
Street Parties will be held in Her Majesty's honour. / Image: Royal UK
There will be performanced in London to tell the story of the Queen's reign through a pageant that will include a 'River of Hope', a section that will see over 200 silk flags flow through The Mall to replicate a moving river.
Both Thursday 2 June and Friday 3 June will be classed as bank holidays to give the public chance to celebrate the jubilee with Queen and the rest of the country.
July
During the month of July, there will be three displays to mark the Queen's accession to the throne, the Coronation and Jubilees will be displayed at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace.
The Queen usually celebrates the anniversary in private, so this string of celebrations will be quite the change a quiet celebration at Sandringham. However, at present it is not clear which events Her Majesty will attend or participate in after missing out on multiple public events in the past year due to doctors orders.
Leeds’ City Square will welcome a crazy stunt this weekend all aid of a fantastic charity.
If you’re walking through town this weekend, then you may see something a little bit out of the ordinary. In fact, a lot out of the ordinary.
That’s because, fundraiser Chris Sylvester is on a mission to spread the word and beat the stigma around drug addiction.
He is the founder of Getting Clean, a fantastic company that make and sell soaps raising funds to support people struggling with addiction and homelessness.
Images: Getting Clean (Supplied)
This weekend, he has vowed to plonk himself in a bathtub in City Square and not move until he has reached the target of £50,000 from people buying the soap.
The event will kick off on Friday 7 August and will run to Sunday 9 August, members of the public are encouraged to "free him" by purchasing the lovely bars of soap.
Reaching the £50,000 sales target will then unlock a £20,000 donation to a recovery support project led by Forward Leeds, so it really is a good cause.
So, how can you support Chris? You can support the initiative by placing an order online, visiting Chris on City Square this weekend, or buying one of their pay-it-forward ‘First Day’ packs which are designed to help people leaving prison or entering rehabilitation treatment.
Announcing the stunt to social media, here's what Chris and Getting Clean had to say: "HELP US SELL £50,000 WORTH OF SOAP TO HELP BEAT ADDICTION
"On 7th, 8th and 9th August I will be at Leeds city square. Just outside of Leeds city centre train station, right next to Thors bar. I will be in this BATH TUB and I WILL NOT leave, until we’ve hit our target. 50% of our profits go towards tackling addiction right here in Leeds, but there’s so much work left to do…"
Five of the best new openings in Leeds recently – from Japanese sando cafes to tiramisu pop-ups
Clementine Hall
It's been a brilliant couple of months for new openings in Leeds.
We don't know about you, but we think our city is really thriving with all it has to offer at the moment.
There's been a flurry of new spots opening up this summer, and if you haven't visited them then we urge you to check them out.
But first, allow us to tell you all about them...
Misu
Trinity Shopping Centre
Image: The Hoot Leeds
It really does feel like the traditional Italian dessert has taken the world by storm as of late.
Everything from tiramisu cups and tiramisu coffees have been popping up all over our feed, and now tiramisu in drawer form is popping up in the city centre.
Misu Tiramisu is an independent business that began at Manchester's Christmas Markets and quickly became one of the most popular operators, all thanks to its miniature tiramisu ‘drawers’. They've now opened inside Trinity shopping centre for the summer, and we couldn't be happier.
Shokupan recently moved from their original site on Wellington Place to an even bigger spot on Central Road and my word, they’re serving up sandwiches and rice bowls like the absolute pros they’ve always been.
Whether it’s their new specials like the ‘Spamago’ sando (arguably the best new breakfast bite on the block), or katsu chori that combines South American-style chorizo with Japanese favourites all in one incredible package, they don’t miss.
One of Leeds city centre’s most historic buildings has been just transformed into one of the coolest new spaces we’ve come across.
Introducing Moods, a brand-new all-day cafe, bar and events space that combines laid-back midday vibes and chilled evenings with food from Michelin-trained chefs.
We know you've been waiting for this one, and finally Dishoom has opened its doors in the city centre.
Serving up Bombay recipes made with love in a beautiful interior complete with blush pink walls, huge arched windows and gold picture frames - this one is already a huge hit.
North Star Coffee
59 Great George Street, LS1 3BB
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Just like their name, North Star Coffee has become a shining star in the Leeds coffee shop circle, and now they’re bringing the brand over to a bustling road of independents on Great George Street.
Expect your tried and trusted iced coffee, matcha and cold foam selections alongside their bakes, new hot brekkie sandwiches and their signature stardust hash browns.
Sophie Smith -
10th January 2022 
