The Queen just confirmed some seriously huge news

The Queen, Elizabeth II
(Image credit: Getty)

The Queen just confirmed some seriously huge news that will affect everyone as she celebrates milestone occassion.

The Queen has gifted everyone in the UK an extra bank holiday in 2022 as her majesty celebrates her 70th year on the throne.

The annual may bank holiday which usually falls on the last Monday of the month will be moved to June in order to mark the Queen's coronation milestone - in which she is the first monarch to celebrate such a long term when it comes to the royal line of succession.

In addition to moving that holiday, she is giving us all an extra bank holiday day, meaning that the Queen Platinum Jubilee bank holiday will run from Thursday 2nd June until Sunday 5th June - with a special concert at Buckingham Palace on the Saturday.

A spokesman from Buckingham Palace said the extended bank holiday "will provide an opportunity for communities and people throughout the UK to come together to celebrate the milestone".

The Queen Platinum Jubilee bank holiday, The Queen and Prince Philip coronation

(Image credit: Getty)

They continued, "The four days of celebrations will include public events and community activities, as well as national moments of reflection on The Queen’s 70 years of service."

And it looks set to be the first time in a long while that the whole of The Firm is expected to come together for the occasion - with the Queen expected to be seen in public with all her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

And members of the public are excited. One tweeted, 'brb making plans for a 4 DAY BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND next year' another put, 'Yep, I'm coming to London to celebrate this historic milestone. What an incredible achievement! God save the Queen!' and a third added, 'So who is planning their 2022 time off already?'

Meanwhile, in the run-up to the Queen Platinum Jubilee bumper bank holiday, there will also be year-long Platinum Jubilee celebrations throughout the UK, the Commonwealth, and around the world as everyone comes together to celebrate the Queen's reign and seventy years of service.

The Queen Platinum Jubilee bank holiday, St Paul's Cathedral, London

An itinerary of the The Queen Platinum Jubilee bank holiday weekend celebrations is already being pulled together with the following confirmed so far;

  • On Thursday 2nd June, over 1,400 parading soldiers, 200 horses, and 400 musicians will come together in the traditional parade to mark The Queen's official birthday, usually held on the second Saturday in June.
  • On Friday 3rd June, a service of thanksgiving for The Queen’s reign will be held at St Paul’s Cathedral.
  • On Saturday 4th June the Queen will be accompanied by members of the Royal Family as they attend the Derby at Epsom Downs.

The Queen Platinum Jubilee bank holiday, The Queen, Epsom Downs Derby

  • There will also be a Platinum Party at the Palace, where the BBC will stage and broadcast a special live concert where members of the public will be invited to apply to attend and details of the ballot for UK residents to secure tickets will be released soon.
  • On Sunday, 5th June, communities are being invited to share food and fun with neighbours by organising street parties, picnics or garden BBQs, as part of The Big Lunch Jubilee.
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Selina Maycock
Senior Family Writer

Selina is a Senior Family Writer for GoodtoKnow and has more than 16 years years of experience. She specialises in royal family news, including the latest activities of Prince George, Charlotte, Louis, Archie and Lilibet. She also covers the latest government, health and charity advice for families. Selina graduated from the University of Sheffield in 2006 with a degree in Journalism, and gained her NCTJ and NCE qualifications. During her career, she’s also written for Woman, Woman's Own, Woman&Home, and Woman's Weekly as well as Heat magazine, Bang Showbiz - and the Scunthorpe Telegraph. When she's not covering family news, you can find her exploring new countryside walking routes, catching up with friends over good food, or making memories (including award-winning scarecrows!)