Brits can look forward to an extra bank holiday in 2022 courtesy of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.
We're all fans of bank holidays in the UK, with many wanting to know how many Bank Holidays there are in a year so they can start planning their next day off. Every so often, the nation is treated to an extra bank holiday to commemorate a landmark royal occasion, like Prince William and Kate's wedding in 2011. And luckily for us, 2022 is the year when the country can benefit from this exception too: all thanks to Queen Elizabeth II and her incredible reign.
This year's extra bank holiday will honour this historic anniversary and the Queen's birthday in one bumper weekend. The special occasion will see a change to the usual May Day bank holiday, to coincide with a series of nationwide events celebrating our Monarch.
When is the extra bank holiday in 2022 for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee?
The extra bank holiday in 2022 for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee is Friday 3 June. This forms part of an extra long weekend for Britons that runs from Thursday 2 - Sunday 4 June 2022. This is because the May Day Bank Holiday (usually the first Monday in May) has been moved to Thursday 2 June to compliment the extra bank holiday.
The special 4 day weekend was confirmed by the UK government in November 2022. With the Queen's special anniversary being touted as the reason for the four days off.
The Queen's Jubilee in June 2022 sets a new historic royal record for Elizabeth II. In honour of this, the country will come together for a series of special jubilee events celebrating our Monarch.
"The Queen is the first British Monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee," said a statement on the Royal Family twitter account. "The extended bank holiday weekend will see public events and community activities, as well as national moments of reflection on The Queen’s 70 years of service."
The Queen's Platinum Jubilee events:
A service of Thanksgiving, televised concert, London-based Jubilee pageant and nationwide street parties are just some of the events planned for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. These events will be staggered across the four-day bank holiday weekend to celebrate the historic occasion.
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said that the UK could look forward to a "spectacular, once-in-a-generation show that mixes the best of British ceremonial splendour with cutting edge art and technology".
"It will bring the entire nation and the Commonwealth together in a fitting tribute to Her Majesty’s reign," he added.
Thursday 2nd June 2022
- The Queen's Birthday Parade (known as Trooping of the Colour) - The annual parade returns for 2022 with military personal, musicians and the traditional RAF flypast.
- Platinum Jubilee Beacons: Commemorative beacons will be lit throughout the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and UK Overseas Territories.
Friday 3rd June 2022
- Service of Thanksgiving: A special service at St Paul's Cathedral will pays thanks to the Queen and her reign.
Saturday 4th June 2022
- The Epsom Derby: The Queen and other members of the Royal firm will attend the Derby at Epsom Downs.
- Platinum Party at the Palace: A special concert will broadcast live from Buckingham Palace. With many global music and entertainment stars performing in celebration of the Queen's Jubilee. The likes of Paul McCartney and Cliff Richard were two stars to perform at the Golden Jubilee concert in 2002. And big names are expected for next year's line-up. Details on how the public can secure tickets are now available.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7tIRRRSMk0
Sunday 5th June 2022
- The Big Jubilee Lunch: The annual Big Lunch event will take place with communities incorporating jubilee celebrations and decorations into their street and garden parties.
- The Platinum Jubilee Pageant: 5,000 artists, actors and performers from the UK and across the Commonwealth will feature in a pageant staged around Buckingham Palace and the surrounding areas.
Further events are yet to be announced.
Along with the extra bank holiday, the Queen will give city status to more towns across the UK. She also recently announced that Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, will become Queen Consort when Prince Charles takes the throne.
Queen's Platinum Jubilee official emblem:
The official emblem for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee is designed by 19-year-old graphic design student Edward Roberts, from Nottinghamshire. Edward's design winning entry was picked from thousands in Platinum Jubilee Emblem Competition, which ran in association with the V&A museum.
The emblem features two colours - platinum and Pantone 3515 C. With the platinum colour representing the Jubilee and purple being a colour synonymous with royalty.
Royal fans will be able to get their hands on lots of exciting merchandise featuring the special Platinum Jubilee emblem. British chocolatier's Cadbury's have unveiled a special Platinum Jubilee Dairy Milk bar. And of course, there's a special commemorate Platinum Jubilee mug for royal fans to pick up too.
Will I have paid time off for the extra bank holiday in 2022?
Whether you receive paid time off for the extra bank holiday on Friday 3rd June depends on your employment contract. Work contracts that define holiday entitlement as 'X number of days plus bank holidays' are likely to get paid for the bank holiday.
This is according to law firm Smith Cooper. However, they state that contracts that specify bank holidays allowed with their holiday entitlement - i.e. 'X number of days plus New Years Day, Easter Monday..' or 'plus 8 bank holidays' might not. Unless otherwise stated.
With this in mind, it's a good idea to check the wording in your employee contract. And contact your HR department should you have any questions.
How many years is a Platinum Jubilee?
A Platinum Jubilee celebrates 70 years on the throne. Thereofore it's a momentous occasion for Her Majesty, the UK and the Commonwealth. As it stands, Queen Elizabeth II is officially the longest-serving monarch of all time.
Those in public service during the celebrations will receive a Platinum Jubilee medal. For example, this will include representatives from the Armed Forces and the emergency services.
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