3 June 2002: The Queen and Prince Philip attend Jubilee events in Windsor and Slough, while street parties are held all over the UK
The Monday of the four-day Golden Jubilee Weekend was a day for local community celebrations, street parties, music festivals and beacon lighting. The Queen participated in local celebrations in the Royal town of Windsor and nearby Slough, ending her visit by launching the BBC's Music Live Festival around the UK.
The town of Windsor has had a special relationship with the British Monarchy for nearly a thousand years. The Queen and the Royal Family have made regular stays in Windsor Castle, the fortress begun by William I in the eleventh century.
Arriving at Windsor Guildhall at 11am, The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh were shown round an exhibition, 'The Queen at Windsor', which marked the town's Royal associations. The exhibition, which covered a period of 75 years, included many photographs and momentos of the lives of The Queen and the Royal Family in Windsor.
After exploring the exhibition Her Majesty and The Duke of Edinburgh sat on a dais in the Corn Exchange, as more than 1,500 members of 70 community groups marched along the High Street in the Windsor Golden Jubilee Parade. The Jubilee Parade was organised by St John in Berkshire, in conjunction with The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead. Involving around 2,000 people of all ages, it represented more than 100 local organisations and schools and included five bands.
There was time for a short walkabout before the Royal party went down to unveil a plaque on Windsor Town Bridge. The plaque marked the completion of the bridge refurbishment scheme. The Queen and Prince Philip then crossed Windsor Bridge to meet crowds gathered in the High Street, Eton.
Having made the short drive to Slough, The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh walked along the High Street to meet people in the crowds. Then they watched a performance of community music in the town's square. Crowds cheered as the 250-voice community choir sang 'Rani - Queen of Stars', a song specially written for Slough. Then a giant model of the solar system was lifted out of an egg sculpture built by schoolchildren in Slough.
The Queen launched the start of the BBC Music Live Festival by starting a golden metronome. Live music was launched at gatherings and venues in over 200 towns and cities throughout the UK, with groups around the country joining in with the festival's anthem, Beatles song 'All You Need Is Love', as a 'sound beacon'. Church bells, gongs and other forms of music sounded across the UK at 1pm to mark the occasion.
Just after 1pm the Royal party left for London, waved on by a guard of honour comprising a pupil from every school in Slough.
Meanwhile around the country, street parties, music festivals and special events got under way in cities, towns and villages to reflect the day's community theme.
Back to Jubilee Weekend index |
