This year will see the UK enjoy an extra long bank holiday thanks to the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. The unprecedented anniversary, which marks the first time a British monarch has reached 70 years on the throne, actually fell on Sunday, February 6 this year.
However, celebrations are set to take place over a four-day weekend in June. This historic event will see a whole host of public events held to mark the occasion, from the Platinum Pudding Competition - aimed at finding a dish to dedicate to Elizabeth II 's long reign - to the Queen's Green Canopy initiative, which will plant new trees to present to her at the end of the year.
For most of us, however, it's the four-day bash this summer - around which the various national activities will be staged - which will prove the highlight.
With the spring bank holiday – which usually takes place in May – moving to Thursday, June 2 for the special occasion, it'll be followed by the platinum jubilee bank holiday on Friday, June 3, along with Saturday and then Sunday. Read more: New Queen's Jubilee 50p coin - how rare is it and how to know if you've got one Of the holiday, the official royal website said: "On February 6 this year Her Majesty The Queen became the first British Monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee.
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