80-554: As part of the Platinum Jubilee , Queen Elizabeth II awarded a number of civic honours, most notably the creation of new cities in a competition. Another competition for lord mayor or lord provost status was held. It was announced on 8 June 2021 by Lord True . It was organised by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and led by Secretary of State Oliver Dowden . The winners were announced on 20 May 2022, with
160-479: A British Conservative Party politician and Member of Parliament for Southend West , was fatally stabbed at a constituency surgery at Belfairs Methodist Church Hall in Leigh-on-Sea , Essex. His killer was Ali Harbi Ali, a British Islamic State sympathiser, who was arrested at the scene. In April 2022, Ali was convicted of murder and the preparation of terrorist acts , and sentenced to life imprisonment with
240-488: A golden jubilee letter from a nine-year-old boy named Chris, titled A Recipe for a Perfect Queen , which includes ingredients of "jewels, posh gowns, loyalty, hard work, healthiness, and courage". On 5 February, the Queen hosted a reception at Sandringham House for volunteer groups, pensioners and members of the local Women's Institute group. At the reception, the Queen met Angela Wood, a former cookery student who helped create
320-476: A whole life order . Sir David Amess was a long-serving politician who entered Parliament in 1983 as MP for Basildon ; at the time of his death, he was MP for Southend West . He held no senior positions during his career but was described by journalist Nick Paton Walsh as an "instantly recognisable" member of the Conservative Party , and was knighted for his political and public service in 2015. He
400-526: A "once-in-a-generation show" that would "mix the best of British ceremonial splendour and pageantry with cutting-edge artistic and technological displays". The March 2021 budget allocated £28 million to fund Jubilee celebrations, which did not include the cost of the extra bank holiday. In an August 2021 impact assessment report, the British government estimated a £2.39 billion loss in GDP due to business closures during
480-455: A city at a ceremony on 1 March 2022, with Charles, Prince of Wales , presenting letters patent from the Queen. As a result of Amess's death, a by-election was triggered to fill his former seat . Major and minor parties announced they would not stand a candidate to oppose the Conservatives as a sign of respect, following the precedent set in the 2016 Batley and Spen by-election following
560-457: A city by Queen Victoria in 1842. Thirty-nine towns and villages (including one county) across the United Kingdom, its overseas territories and crown dependencies participated in the competition. A unique entry was South Ayrshire which entered a countywide bid. On 20 May 2022, the eight winners of the civic honours were announced. The locations were in the four constituent countries of
640-683: A city was 8 December 2021. For the first time in the city status process, towns located on Crown Dependencies and British Overseas Territories were eligible to apply. This attracted bids from the Isle of Man , the Cayman Islands , the Falkland Islands and Gibraltar . The winners were announced on 20 May 2022. Although Gibraltar's bid was refused, when researchers looked through the National Archives , they found that it had already been recognised as
720-441: A city. Nevertheless many local authorities seek to become cities, for the additional prestige and tourism it generates. Since the 19th century, the elevation of a town (or borough) to city status has been used by the monarch to mark significant occasions: in 1897, on Queen Victoria 's Diamond Jubilee , Bradford , Kingston upon Hull , and Nottingham were granted city status. The first awarding of city status by Queen Elizabeth II
800-627: A concert titled The Queen's Platinum Jubilee – 70 Years took place at the Royal Albert Hall . The event featured music from the Queen's coronation and other key moments of her reign, performed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra . Prince and Princess Michael of Kent were in attendance. The Lord Mayor's Platinum Jubilee Big Curry Lunch took place at the Guildhall, London , on 7 April. Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie attended
880-456: A constituency surgery at the church hall of Belfairs Methodist Church on Eastwood Road North in Leigh-on-Sea , Essex. He was scheduled to meet constituents from 10 am to 1 pm. He held a virtual meeting on Zoom with a colleague and talked to local residents on the steps of the hall before entering the building around 12:05 pm, accompanied by two female members of staff, to speak with people who had arrived earlier. While inside
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#1732844031010960-481: A downward trajectory. The food sector was the only sector that saw sales volumes spike by 3.1%. The Queen's Green Canopy campaign was launched in May 2021. The campaign invites people from the United Kingdom to plant a tree to make the local environment greener, and serve as a "special gift" to the Queen. By March 2022 more than one million trees had been planted. A 70 ft (21 m) sculpture called 'Tree of Trees'
1040-496: A happy Commonwealth that countries are now bidding to join. In the thousand-year history of this place, no monarch has seen such an increase in the longevity, prosperity or opportunity — or the freedom — of the British people. No monarch has seen such technical advances, in many of which British scientists have played a leading part, from the dawn of the internet to the use of the world's first approved covid vaccine. No monarch, by their efforts, dedication and achievement, better deserves
1120-678: A law to crack down on online targeting of MPs and end anonymity were made. The Conservatives suspended political campaigning. Ed Davey , the leader of the Liberal Democrats , paid tribute to Amess in a speech in the House of Commons. A Catholic priest reported he was not allowed to enter the crime scene to administer the last rites for Amess. Following the killing, British Catholic policymakers issued statements affirming Amess's commitment to his faith and lauding his achievements. Labour MP Mike Kane also sought to add an "Amess amendment" to
1200-464: A new series of three coins, titled The Queen's Reign . The first coin focuses on the Queen's role as the 'fountain of honour'. The second coin highlights the Queen's role as patron of numerous charities. The third coin celebrates the Queen's role as Head of the Commonwealth , an organisation that she calls her "family of nations". Each coin in the collection features the Queen's signature in the centre;
1280-621: A service of remembrance for Amess, attended by MPs, was held at St Margaret's, Westminster . The service included an address by the Archbishop of Canterbury , Justin Welby . MPs paid tribute in a book of condolence that was placed in the House of Commons Library , as well as in Westminster Hall and Portcullis House . Tributes were also laid at Belfairs Methodist Church, where Amess was killed. In
1360-446: Is similar to the font style that appeared on the Queen's Coronation Order of Service in 1953. The Canadian platinum jubilee emblem includes Elizabeth II's royal cypher above a numeral 70 in light-grey, the colour alluding to platinum. The cypher and numeral are surrounded by a seven-sided figure, adorned with seven maple leaves and pearls, representing each decade of the Queen's reign. Multiple elements also symbolise celebration, with
1440-444: The 2017 Westminster attack . They are generally not given police protection during surgeries, and are normally accompanied by only one member of staff. Following Cox's death, parliamentary spending on MPs' personal security rose from under £200,000 to £4.5 million in two years. Amess's murder was the second killing of a British MP in five years and prompted renewed calls for better security. On 15 October 2021, Amess held
1520-475: The British royal family , international politicians, and relatives of Jo Cox . A vigil for Amess was held in his Southend West constituency at 6 pm on the day of his death, and another the next day. Lindsay Hoyle , Speaker of the House of Commons , announced that the security of MPs would be reviewed. The safety of MPs during open, public constituency surgeries was debated by politicians. Calls to enact
1600-583: The Conservative Friends of Israel were later cited by Ali as motives for his murder. Ali said during police interviews that he had been influenced by the propaganda of Abu Mohammad al-Adnani , who had called on Muslims to attack people in their home countries who were deemed to be enemies of the Islamic State . This was the second killing of an MP in the 21st century, following the murder in June 2016 of
1680-544: The Labour MP Jo Cox , while en route to a constituency surgery . Amess wrote in his 2020 autobiography that fears of similar attacks "rather spoilt the great British tradition of the people openly meeting their elected politicians", and that he had faced "nuisance from the odd member of the general public" and insecurity at his own home. MPs are protected by armed police within Parliament , with security tightened after
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#17328440310101760-577: The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill that would ensure Catholic priests are able to gain access to crime scenes in order to administer the last rites. On 16 October, Johnson and Leader of the Opposition Keir Starmer , accompanied by Hoyle and Home Secretary Priti Patel , laid wreaths at the church hall where Amess was killed. On 18 October, a minute's silence was held in the House of Commons before MPs paid tribute to Amess. That evening,
1840-679: The Royal Canadian Mint partnered to create a two-coin set, with each mint designing a coin for the set. The silver coin designed by the Royal Mint has an equestrian portrait of the Queen on the reverse and a royal mantle on the obverse. The silver coin designed by the Royal Canadian Mint has a reverse design that depicts the Queen in 1952, while the obverse has the effigy of the Queen used on Canadian coins since 2003. The Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey on 14 March reflected
1920-593: The Suffolk Show in Ipswich on 1 June. On 23 May, the Queen visited the Chelsea Flower Show , which featured four commemorative installations. In The Queen's Platinum Jubilee Garden, laser-cut steel silhouettes of the Queen were featured, surrounded by 70 planted terracotta pots planted with Lily of the valley , the Queen's favourite flower. At the show, display of roses, featuring new cultivars created to mark
2000-580: The Tower of London , the Honourable Artillery Company fired 62 rounds. A 21-gun salute was fired at Edinburgh Castle by 105th Regiment Royal Artillery . In Wales, a gun-salute was fired in the grounds of Cardiff Castle , organised by 160th (Welsh) Brigade . In Northern Ireland, the Reservists of 206 (Ulster) Battery Royal Artillery fired a 21-gun salute at Hillsborough Castle . On 16 March,
2080-555: The Trooping the Colour to worldwide tours. The Platinum Pudding competition was launched on 10 January 2022 by The Big Jubilee Lunch and Fortnum & Mason throughout the United Kingdom to find a pudding to celebrate the Jubilee. Five finalists were selected to prepare their creations for a judging panel, with the winning recipe being made available to the public at Big Jubilee Lunches during
2160-466: The conflict in Syria ". When taken to Southend police station, Ali told the booking officer that he had committed "terror". When asked for his motive, he said "religious". In a police interview, he said "I mean, I guess yeah, I killed an MP. I done it, so yeah", then said he regretted that statement because it sounded like a Little Britain sketch. He said that Amess was suspicious of him and thought he
2240-486: The "empathy" the Queen had shown after the 1966 Aberfan disaster . On 26 May, both Houses of Parliament debated a Humble Address to congratulate the Queen. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the United Kingdom would "show with every bonfire, every concert and street party, and every aerobatic display a love and devotion to reciprocate the love, devotion and leadership she has shown to the whole country over seven decades". He said: She has seen an empire transformed into
2320-523: The Anglican parish church in Prittlewell , on 22 November. A family statement was read by the former Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe . Afterwards, the casket was processed through the streets in a horse-drawn hearse. A Catholic funeral service was held at Westminster Cathedral on the following day. Johnson was joined by Hoyle, Starmer, and former prime ministers at the service. A message from Pope Francis
2400-784: The Commonwealth. Pictures and footage of the Queen working from her red boxes at Sandringham House were released. The then- Prince of Wales said that the Queen's devotion to the welfare of all her people inspired still greater admiration with each passing year. Tributes and messages of congratulations came from foreign leaders, including United States president Joe Biden , Chinese paramount leader Xi Jinping , German chancellor Olaf Scholz , King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, Israeli president Isaac Herzog , UAE president Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan , King Vajiralongkorn of Thailand, King Mohammed VI of Morocco , and Vietnamese president Nguyễn Xuân Phúc . A congratulatory message
2480-476: The Diamond Jubilee in 2012, 26 towns applied to become cities: Bolton , Bournemouth , Chelmsford , Colchester , Coleraine , Corby , Craigavon , Croydon , Doncaster , Dorchester , Dudley , Dumfries , Gateshead , Goole , Luton , Medway , Middlesbrough , Milton Keynes , Perth , Reading , Southend , St Asaph , St Austell , Stockport , Tower Hamlets and Wrexham . However, the town of Dumfries
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2560-713: The Gambia, Malaysia, Malta, Pakistan, and Samoa. Leaders from across the world, including from China, North Korea, France, Germany, Israel, and the United States, sent messages of congratulations to the Queen on reaching the milestone. In the United Kingdom, there was an extra bank holiday on 3 June and the usual spring bank holiday was moved from the end of May to 2 June to create the four-day Platinum Jubilee Central Weekend from Thursday, 2 June, to Sunday, 5 June. Commemorative stamps and coins were issued by several Commonwealth nations and beacons were lit in every Commonwealth capital for
2640-683: The Jubilee weekend. The winning recipe, by Jemma Melvin from Southport , is a lemon Swiss roll and Amaretti trifle . The winner was announced on 12 May in the BBC One documentary The Jubilee Pudding: 70 Years in the Baking , with the Duchess of Cornwall in attendance. On 4 February, pictures and footage taken two weeks earlier in Windsor Castle's Oak Room were released, featuring the Queen viewing memorabilia from this and prior jubilees. The display included
2720-478: The Jubilee. Following the platinum jubilee weekend, the Queen released a thank you message in which she said: When it comes to how to mark seventy years as your Queen, there is no guidebook to follow. It really is a first. But I have been humbled and deeply touched that so many people have taken to the streets to celebrate my platinum jubilee. While I may not have attended every event in person, my heart has been with you all; and I remain committed to serving you to
2800-587: The Muslim community of Southend. "This is a heinous crime and we utterly condemn it," Mohammed said. "Nobody in the local Muslim community could believe how anybody could brutally murder anyone, never mind Sir David, who was so engaged with them." On 15 October, the MCB issued a formal statement re-affirming the importance of elected officials to be able to serve their communities without threats to their safety. A procession and memorial service took place at St Mary's Church,
2880-546: The Old Bailey in London. Prosecutor Tom Little QC described the defendant as a "radicalised Islamist terrorist " and described the killing as a "murder carried out because of a warped and twisted and violent ideology". Little said the defendant had researched a list of "523 MPs who carried out a vote to carry out airstrikes in Syria", using the website TheyWorkForYou and had then carried out reconnaissance trips, including six visits to
2960-448: The Queen said that she hoped the platinum jubilee would bring together families and friends, neighbours, and communities. She said that the jubilee "affords me a time to reflect on the goodwill shown to me by people of all nationalities, faiths and ages in this country and around the world over these years". She thanked everyone for their support, loyalty and affection, and signed the message "Your Servant". She said of her 70-year reign and
3040-499: The Queen's Robe of Estate , worn by her at the Coronation in 1953 . A continuous platinum line in the shape of St Edward's Crown features the number "70" at the top of the Crown, signifying the Queen's 70-year reign and her platinum jubilee. Roberts included a circle to border the Crown, to create the impression of a royal seal. The emblem's typeface is Perpetua , which means "forever", and
3120-713: The Royal Deck Tea Room, musical entertainment for visitors in the State Apartments on 2 June, and a city-wide Corgi Treasure Hunt. On 1 June, the First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon moved a motion in the Scottish Parliament congratulating the Queen. She said that the Scottish Government would present the Queen with a limited edition Johnnie Walker whisky, with a special design to celebrate
3200-463: The UK, the Isle of Man and the Falkland Islands ( an Overseas Territory ). The successful applicants will, upon receipt of letters patent , become cities. The settlements that applied were: Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II The Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II was the international celebration in 2022 marking the 70th anniversary of the accession of Queen Elizabeth II on 6 February 1952. It
3280-460: The United Kingdom, including Piccadilly Circus, were lit up. Special services were held in cathedrals. In Exeter Cathedral , the choir sang an anthem written for Queen Elizabeth I by the 16th century English composer William Byrd . Gun salutes were held on 7 February, the anniversary of the accession. A 41-gun salute was fired by the King's Troop, Royal Horse Artillery in London's Green Park . At
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3360-438: The address of Michael Gove in west London in 2021. Ali had researched other MPs, including Mike Freer and Sir Keir Starmer . Ali had visited Freer's constituency office on 17 September 2021, but he was not there as he was attending other meetings. In total, Ali researched over 250 MPs; Jess Phillips said that she was shocked that she was not informed that she was one of them until after Ali's conviction. On 11 April, Ali
3440-739: The attribute of greatness. For me, she is already Elizabeth the Great. A new BBC documentary, Elizabeth: The Unseen Queen , aired on 29 May. The film includes unseen footage from the Queen's archive, and is narrated by the Queen herself. In late May, the Reading-based Republic group put on posters with the slogan "Make Elizabeth the Last" in different regions within the UK, using £43,000 garnered from crowdfunding. From 30 May to 3 June, HMY Britannia hosted 65 former crew members for Yotties Week. Celebrations included celebratory dishes and cocktails in
3520-446: The base, the years 1952 and 2022 are in gold, and placed on the poutama (step) design in the traditional colours of red-ochre and white. The design represents "steps of service", namely, the seven decades of public service by the Queen. The celebration plans were announced by Buckingham Palace on 10 January 2022. For the first time, jubilee beacons were lit in every capital city of each Commonwealth country. The Royal Mint and
3600-548: The beauty of Scotland's flora and fauna, and a throw made from the tartan commissioned in honour of the three bridges across the River Forth . Schools and nurseries across the UK organised events and parties. St Paul's C.E Primary School in Oldham organised a re-enactment of the Queen's coronation in 1953 . Murder of David Amess On 15 October 2021, Sir David Amess ,
3680-460: The best of my ability, supported by my family. The Queen's Baton for the 2022 Commonwealth Games featured a platinum strand along its length. This is the first time that any British monarch has celebrated a platinum jubilee. There was an extra bank holiday on 3 June and the usual Spring bank holiday was moved from the end of May to 2 June, to create the platinum jubilee bank holiday weekend from 2 to 5 June. The British government promised
3760-603: The charity preview of the event. The Queen attended on 15 May. The Queen's youngest granddaughter, Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor , drove in the carriage that once belonged to her grandfather, the Duke of Edinburgh , and had been featured in his funeral . Actors Helen Mirren and Tom Cruise were involved, with Mirren playing Queen Elizabeth I. On 13 May, a 550-mile (890 km) torch relay across Suffolk began. Starting in Brandon , The relay travelled 250 towns and villages, ending at
3840-404: The church hall, a man armed with a knife emerged from a group of constituents and stabbed Amess multiple times. Police and paramedics arrived at the scene within minutes. The suspect waited inside the church hall, where he was arrested and a police cordon was set up. An air ambulance landed at Belfairs Sports Ground to take Amess to hospital, but the medical team decided that his condition
3920-559: The days following Amess's death, a number of MPs, including the Conservative Chris Skidmore and Labour's Charlotte Nichols , voiced their support for a campaign to grant city status to Southend-on-Sea as a way of honouring Amess's memory; he had frequently spoken on the topic in Parliament. During tributes to Amess in the House of Commons on 18 October, Johnson announced that Queen Elizabeth II had consented to Southend being given city status. Southend officially became
4000-404: The eight towns announced to be awarded city status being Bangor (Northern Ireland), Colchester , Doncaster , Douglas (Isle of Man), Dunfermline , Milton Keynes , Stanley (Falkland Islands), and Wrexham . Southampton won the lord mayor title. City status in the United Kingdom is purely honorary – it confers no special rights or privileges, beyond the entitlement to call the settlement
4080-561: The evening of 1 June, the official jubilee photograph of the Queen was released. The portrait, by Ranald Mackechnie, was taken in the Victoria Vestibule at Windsor Castle on 25 May. The photo shows the Queen in a blue dress, with the statue of Charles II seen behind a window in the background. In a special message, the Queen said "many happy memories will be created" over the next four days. She thanked everyone involved in convening communities, families, neighbours and friends to mark
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#17328440310104160-652: The event. On four evenings from 12 to 15 May, the 2022 Royal Windsor Horse Show at Windsor Castle , titled A Gallop Through History , concluded with a 90-minute celebration in tribute to the Queen, featuring 500 horses and 1,000 dancers, with various members of the Royal Family, including Duke and Duchess of Gloucester , the Earl and Countess of Wessex and Forfar, and the Princess Royal in attendance. Princess Beatrice and her husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi , also attended
4240-422: The extra bank holiday. The jubilee was expected to bring a £1.2 billion boost to the UK economy. The Centre for Retail Research estimated that consumers in the United Kingdom would spend $ 356 million on Platinum Jubilee memorabilia. In July 2022, it was reported that retail sales dipped by 0.1% in June despite jubilee celebrations, which was less than what was expected amid the economic crisis , but still showed
4320-468: The first time a royal event has been commemorated on a 50p coin. The 50p coin is designed to feature the Queen's royal cypher within the 0 of the number 70 on the reverse. The £5 crown features the quartered shield of the Royal Arms on the reverse. Both coins show the Queen on horseback on the obverse. The Royal Mint also produced a 220 mm (8.7 in) diameter 15 kg (33 lb) coin, which
4400-464: The first time that her signature has been featured on UK coinage. The coins were designed by Irish artist and illustrator P. J. Lynch , who was "inspired by the Queen's hands and the work they represent". In February 2022, the Royal Mail released eight new stamps. The new set of stamps features photographs of the Queen throughout her reign, which commemorate different aspects of her royal duties, from
4480-603: The first time. In many places, trees were planted in the Queen's honour. The Queen died in her Platinum Jubilee year, on 8 September 2022, at the age of 96. Her funeral took place at Westminster Abbey in London on 19 September 2022 and she was buried at the King George VI Memorial Chapel in Windsor Castle later that day. The Jubilee marked the 70th anniversary of the accession of Queen Elizabeth II on 6 February 1952. In her 2022 Accession Day message,
4560-430: The future: As I look ahead with a sense of hope and optimism to the year of my platinum jubilee, I am reminded of how much we can be thankful for. These last seven decades have seen extraordinary progress socially, technologically and culturally that have benefitted us all; and I am confident that the future will offer similar opportunities to us and especially to the younger generations in the United Kingdom and throughout
4640-622: The investigation had been handed over to the Counter Terrorism Command of London's Metropolitan Police Service . On the evening of 16 October, the Metropolitan Police Service confirmed the suspect had been detained under Section 41 of the Terrorism Act 2000 , and that magistrates had extended the period the suspect could be held in custody for questioning until 22 October. On 17 October, police identified
4720-479: The jubilee with a special focus on the role that service plays in the lives of people and communities across the Commonwealth. Members of the Royal Family undertook a series of royal tours of Commonwealth countries. The governors-general of Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Belize, Canada, Grenada, Jamaica, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and Saint Lucia travelled to the United Kingdom in June to represent their respective countries at jubilee festivities. In
4800-715: The jubilee, won a gold medal. The exhibit, by Shropshire-based grower David Austin Roses, featured pink-apricot roses named Elizabeth. On 24 May, the Senedd passed a motion to congratulate the Queen. First Minister Mark Drakeford said the jubilee events in Wales would be "an indication of the deep respect in which the Queen is held, and an expression of the gratitude for her many years of selfless service". Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies said she had held Wales "deeply in her heart" over her 70-year reign. Plaid Cymru leader Adam Price praised
4880-467: The murder of Jo Cox . The Conservative candidate Anna Firth won the by-election on 3 February 2022. Following the arrest of Ali, who is a British Somali , British Somalis reported being subject to abuse, harassment, and death threats. A statement was released by Zara Mohammed, the secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB), who condemned the attacks and expressed shock on behalf of
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#17328440310104960-605: The original recipe for Coronation chicken in 1953. The Queen's Accession Day message was released later that evening. On Accession Day, Prime Minister Boris Johnson , the Leader of the Opposition Sir Keir Starmer , and the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby were among notable figures releasing statements congratulating the Queen. Tributes were also paid by former British prime ministers. Outdoor billboards across
5040-571: The rounded edges being shaped like a flower petal and the maple leaves being positioned in a manner that resembles fireworks. The Australian Platinum Jubilee Emblem was unveiled by the Australian Government in March 2022. The emblem can be used for official and recognised events in Australia to celebrate the jubilee. The design is a stylised representation of the Queen's Wattle Spray Brooch, which
5120-454: The scene. In 2014, as a teenager, he was referred to Prevent , the United Kingdom's voluntary programme for those thought to be at risk of radicalisation , from which he was referred on to the Channel programme. He is believed not to have spent long in the programme, and he was not a "subject of interest" to MI5 . At approximately 6:32 pm on 15 October, Essex Police announced that
5200-412: The stabbing as a terrorist incident potentially motivated by Islamic extremism . Police searched three addresses in London over the weekend following the stabbing. On 21 October, a prosecutor told Westminster Magistrates' Court that Ali considered himself an affiliate of the Islamic State and that he had planned the attack two years in advance. The court also heard that his actions were "connected to
5280-594: Was Southampton in 1964, followed by Swansea in 1969. For the Silver Jubilee of 1977, Derby was elevated to city status, and in 1992, Sunderland was awarded city status for her Ruby Jubilee . Similar city status awards were presented for the Millennium in 2000 ( Brighton and Hove , Inverness , Wolverhampton ) and for the Golden Jubilee in 2002 ( Preston , Newport , Stirling , Lisburn , and Newry ). For
5360-413: Was murdered in October 2021, the Queen agreed to confer city status on Southend; Amess had campaigned for twenty years to make Southend a city. On 1 March 2022, Charles, Prince of Wales presented the letters patent on behalf of the Queen, in the council chamber at Southend Civic Centre, officially granting city status to the town. The deadline for bids to the Platinum Jubilee competitions for becoming
5440-419: Was Australia's "first platinum" monarch. On Accession Day, the New Zealand platinum jubilee emblem was unveiled. The emblem, approved by the Queen, was prepared by Phillip O'Shea, New Zealand Herald of Arms . Within a platinum five-sided frame is the Queen's royal cypher, with the Māori inscription "Te Hokotoru Mā Ngahuru", which means "three twenties plus ten", an allusion to the Queen's 70-year reign. In
5520-430: Was a devout Catholic and a socially conservative politician who opposed abortion , supported capital punishment , and campaigned in favour of Brexit . He was a supporter of animal welfare and supported a ban on fox hunting . He also supported a campaign to award city status to Southend-on-Sea , the main town of his constituency. Amess's voting record on UK airstrikes in Syria as well as his membership with
5600-408: Was also sent from Margareta, Custodian of the Crown of Romania . The emblem for the platinum jubilee in the United Kingdom was announced in August 2021, following a competition which was judged by industry experts. The winning design was created by 19-year-old graphic design student Edward Roberts from Nottinghamshire . The regal purple used in the emblem has been closely matched to the purple in
5680-432: Was an undercover reporter. He said that he surrendered to the police "cos my sister was on the phone crying her eyes out". On 21 October 2021, Ali was charged with the murder of Amess and the prior preparation of terrorist acts . On 22 October, he appeared at London's Old Bailey via video link from HMP Belmarsh , during which he was remanded in custody . On 27 October, an inquest was opened into Amess's death, but
5760-473: Was commissioned by a private UK collector. It is the largest coin the Mint has ever produced. The £15,000 denomination coin was designed by coinage artist John Bergdahl and took nearly 400 hours to make. The obverse features a commemorative design depicting the Queen on horseback, while the reverse depicts the Queen's cypher surrounded by floral emblems of the four nations of the United Kingdom. The Mint also released
5840-402: Was delivered by Archbishop Claudio Gugerotti , Apostolic Nuncio to Great Britain . Counter-terrorist police officers were involved in the early stages of the investigation. Essex Police said that a "25-year-old man was quickly arrested after officers arrived at the scene on suspicion of murder and a knife was recovered". Ali Harbi Ali, from Kentish Town , North London, was arrested at
5920-512: Was erected outside Buckingham Palace for the June celebrations. The sculpture, which contains 350 native British trees in the form of one giant tree, reflects the more than one million trees planted during the Green Canopy initiative. The trees were gifted to selected community groups for planting after the celebrations. The Royal Mint released one of the largest ever commemorative collections , including commemorative £5 crowns and 50p coins ;
6000-429: Was found guilty of murder and the preparation of terrorist acts. He refused to stand up to receive the verdict, citing religious beliefs and saying he had "no regrets" in what he did. On 13 April, Mr Justice Sweeney sentenced Ali to life imprisonment with a whole life order , saying that the murder "struck at the heart of our democracy", and described Ali as a "cold, calculated and dangerous individual". Upon hearing
6080-408: Was gifted to the Queen during her first visit to Australia in 1954. The emblem contains three colours – platinum, gold and purple. The platinum colour represents the Queen's 70 years on the throne, and the purple colour symbolises royalty. The gold is drawn from the golden wattle , Australia's national floral emblem . The font used is Perpetua , which means 'forever', which acknowledges that the Queen
6160-428: Was immediately suspended "pending the outcome of the criminal proceedings". The coroner's office told the inquest that a post-mortem examination had confirmed that Amess had died from multiple stab wounds to the chest. At a plea hearing on 21 December, Ali entered not guilty pleas for the charges of murder and preparing acts of terrorism. He was again remanded in custody. The trial of Ali began on 21 March 2022, at
6240-458: Was later excluded from the process because the application had not been submitted by the local authority. Chelmsford, Perth and St. Asaph were subsequently chosen for city status. On 8 June 2021, the government announced a new competition for city status for towns across the United Kingdom, crown dependencies and overseas territories, to mark the Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II . Southend-on-Sea intended to apply, however after local MP David Amess
6320-409: Was not stable enough to transport him and so continued to work on him at the scene. His death was confirmed at 1:13 pm. Following the attack, Prime Minister Boris Johnson returned to London, where flags were lowered to half-mast . Various parliamentary groups, and current and former politicians from across the political spectrum, expressed shock and offered condolences, as did members of
6400-527: Was the first time that any monarch in British history celebrated a platinum jubilee, as is the case in the histories of the other Commonwealth realms . Initiatives to commemorate the jubilee were announced by the governments of many realms—including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and the United Kingdom—of territories, such as the Cayman Islands and Gibraltar , and celebrations were also held in other Commonwealth member states, like
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