Headshot of Lauren HubbardBY LAUREN HUBBARDPUBLISHED: DEC 23, 2023 8:00 AM EST
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queen elizabeth at golden jubilee parade
SION TOUHIG//GETTY IMAGES
In 2002, Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her Golden Jubilee, marking her 50th year on the throne. “Gratitude, respect and pride, these words sum up how I feel about the people of this country and the Commonwealth—and what this Golden Jubilee means to me,” the queen said in a speech for the festivities.
The historic event—only the third such celebration since the jubilee tradition was started by King George III with his own golden occasion in 1809—naturally features in the The Crown’s sixth season, and with that in mind, we’re taking a look back at some of the most memorable photos from the real life Golden Jubilee.
queen elizabeth at golden jubilee paradeSION TOUHIG//GETTY IMAGES
While Elizabeth marked her jubilee year with months of special events, the true celebration took place on June 4, 2002 in London.
queen gold coachPOOL/TIM GRAHAM PICTURE LIBRARY//GETTY IMAGES
The queen and her husband, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, traveled from Buckingham Palace to St. Paul’s Cathedral in the famed Gold State Coach.
queen wavingTIM GRAHAM//GETTY IMAGES
Outside of the cathedral, the queen waved to onlookers. For the event, she wore a periwinkle blue ensemble with a woven-brimmed hat, white gloves, and her signature pearls.
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queen and philip mayorTIM GRAHAM//GETTY IMAGES
The monarch was joined by other members of the royal family, including her grandsons Princes William and Harry, for a service of thanksgiving.
queen and family st paulsPOOL/TIM GRAHAM PICTURE LIBRARY//GETTY IMAGES
golden jubilee 2002ANWAR HUSSEIN//GETTY IMAGES
Before heading back to Buckingham Palace, the queen make a quick change swapping her blue suit for a tangerine number. She and Prince Philip then made the drive back to the palace along the Mall in an open car.
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royals on balconyTIM GRAHAM//GETTY IMAGES
For the occasion, the usual red draping that marks the balcony during major royal moments was changed out for a special covering paying homage to the queen, including a version of her royal cypher and symbols of the Commonwealth countries.
queen philip laughingTIM GRAHAM//GETTY IMAGES
The queen and Philip smiled to the crowds.
royalty queen elizabeth ii golden jubileeCHRIS ISON – PA IMAGES//GETTY IMAGES
As part of the jubilee celebrations, a parade also took place down the Mall, leading to Buckingham Palace.
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royals on balconyTIM GRAHAM//GETTY IMAGES
While in later years, the number of royal family members to appear on the palace balcony was significantly pared back, for the Golden Jubilee, it was packed with royals including then-Prince Charles, his sons Prince William and Prince Harry, Sophie, then-Countess of Wessex, Prince Edward, Princess Alexandra, Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie, and their father Prince Andrew.
queen elizabeth ii and prince philip looADRIAN DENNIS//GETTY IMAGES
The celebration also included a traditional fly-past. READ MORE
