How you could win an invite to Buckingham Palace

A UK-wide competition has launched to design an emblem that will "capture the spirit" of The Queen's Platinum Jubilee next year.

Young artists from across the country are invited to enter an original design to symbolise The Queen's historic milestone, celebrating 70 years on the throne.

Buckingham Palace tells us the winning emblem will feature heavily in the Platinum Jubilee celebrations including on television, official merchandise, at street parties and on social media.

The lucky winner will be invited to 'Platinum Party at the Palace', which is a concert held at Buckingham Palace in June 2022. The top ten runners up will also be included in the celebrations, with their designed displayed in the Victoria & Albert Museum in London.

The competition is open to all aspiring designers and illustrators between the ages of 13 and 25. The V&A are organising the competition, alongside Buckingham Palace.

The entries will be judged by a panel of graphic designers and artists, including Margaret Calvert OBE, Lubna Chowdary, Kerry Curtis, Yinka Ilori MBE, Gabriella Marcella and Paul Thompson, chaired by V&A Director Tristram Hunt. A representative from the Royal Household will also join them.

Budding designers have until 16th July to get their entries in, and the winner will be announced later in the summer.

Details of how you can enter the competition can be found here: https://platinumjubilee.vam.ac.uk/

What are the plans for The Queen's Platinum Jubilee?

In 2022, The Queen will become the first British Monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee, marking seventy years of service.

An extended four-day bank holiday has been announced to celebrate the Jubilee weekend, but a whole year of celebrations are planned.

The Queen and Members of the Royal Family will travel to engagements around the country, but the focal point will be the Platinum Jubilee Weekend in June 2022.

Thursday 2nd June

The Queen’s Birthday Parade (Trooping the Colour)

Over 1,400 parading soldiers, 200 horses and 400 musicians will take part in the traditional Parade to mark The Queen's official birthday.

Beginning at Buckingham Palace, the Parade will move down The Mall to Horse Guard's Parade, joined by Members of the Royal Family on horseback and in carriages.

An RAF fly-past will be watched by The Queen and Members of the Royal Family from the Buckingham Palace balcony.

Platinum Jubilee Beacons

Beacons will be lit up and down the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and UK Overseas Territories.

For the first time, beacons will also be lit in each of the capital cities of Commonwealth countries.

The United Kingdom usually celebrates Royal Jubilees, Weddings and Coronations by lighting beacons.

Friday 3rd June

Service of Thanksgiving

A Service of Thanksgiving for The Queen’s reign will be held at St Paul’s Cathedral.

Saturday 4th June

The Derby at Epsom Downs

The Queen will attend the Derby at Epsom Downs - an event she rarely misses - with Members of the Royal Family.

Platinum Party at the Palace

A special live concert at Buckingham Palace that will bring together some of the world's biggest stars to celebrate the most iconic moments of The Queen's reign.

The emblem design winner will be invited, and the public will be able to apply for tickets through a ballot.

Sunday 5th June

The Big Jubilee Lunch

People are invited to share friendship, food and fun with their neighbours to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee.

It could be a street party, a picnic, tea and cake or a barbeque. We have been told A Big Jubilee Lunch "can be big or small".

The Platinum Jubilee Pageant:

Arts, theatre, music, circus, carnival and costume will bring together over 5,000 people across the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth against the backdrop of Buckingham Palace and the surrounding streets.

It will celebrate The Queen's reign, and will honour the services of people and communities across the country.