How to watch the Queen's Platinum Jubilee 2022 on TV: what's on over the bank holiday weekend, when and where

Queen's Platinum Jubilee - The Queen celebrates 70 years on the throne.
The Queen celebrates 70 years on the throne. (Image credit: Getty Images)

Hang out the bunting, organise a street party and get ready for a summer of celebration to mark Her Majesty The Queen's Platinum Jubilee 2022. 

To mark the momentous occasion the TV schedules are bursting with parties, parades, pageants and puddings to pay tribute to The Queen becoming the first British monarch to reign for 70 years.  

From the second week of May the excitement starts to build with the celebrations culminating in the four-day bank holiday weekend on Thursday, June 2 to Sunday, June 5, when the party really gets started with a host of events to pay tribute to Her Majesty and her seven decades of service. 

Will the Queen's Platinum Jubilee be televised?

The Queen officially celebrated 70 years on the throne on Feb 6, 2022. But the occasion will be marked with a series of TV specials throughout the summer and over the four-day bank holiday weekend.

Here's our guide to all the shows to get you in the platinum party mood…

How can I watch the Queen's Platinum Jubilee on TV?

There will be plenty of opportunity to join in with the festivities over the four-day bank holiday as the Royal Family come together to help Queen and county celebrate this momentous day. 

From street parties to awe-inspiring visual spectacles featuring some of the biggest names from the entertainment industry from around the globe, the Queen certainly knows how to throw party! 

Check out our day by day guide to all the Platinum Jubilee events on TV across this very special four-day weekend. 

What's happening on Thursday, June 2?

The Trooping of the Colour

The Queen on horseback at The Trooping of the Colour. (Image credit: Getty Images)

BBC One

After an exciting build-up to the four-day bank holiday weekend, the celebrations begin in earnest on Thursday, June 2. 

The Queen's Platinum Jubilee: Trooping the Colour, 10am will see The Queen's Birthday Parade (Trooping the Colour) shown live on BBC One. 

The annual military display to honour the Queen’s birthday is always a special occasion, but this year, hosted by Huw Edwards, Kirsty Young and JJ Chalmers, it’s doubly momentous as it also celebrates Her Majesty’s 70-year reign and kicks off the Jubilee Bank Holiday weekend. After the dazzling parade, the Royal Family will watch the RAF fly-past from the balcony of Buckingham Palace.

The One Show: Jubilee Special, 6.30pm, BBC One, is the first of two extended Jubilee programmes, hosted by Alex Jones and Ronan Keating, with up-to-date news on all the events being held over the weekend to celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. The queen of cakes Mary Berry pops in with the winner of the Platinum Pudding Competition, Jemma Melvin, to talk Alex through how to make her lemon Swiss roll and amaretti trifle and hopefully inspire bakers across the country to share a slice of this most regal pud during their Big Jubilee Lunches.

The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall are welcomed by the Walford residents

The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall are welcomed by the residents of Walford.  (Image credit: BBC)

EastEnders will be airing a very special episode at 7.30pm as The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall make their Royal visit to Albert Square where they will be guest starring in a special Jubilee episode which will see them join Walford residents for a celebratory Jubilee street party. To celebrate the momentous occasion, the long-running soap has even composed a Jubilee theme tune by original theme tune composer Simon May

Platinum Beacons: Lighting up the Jubilee, 8pm will see more than 1,500 beacons lit across the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and in every capital city across the Commonwealth. Kirsty Young introduces coverage, with Jermaine Jenas at Buckingham Palace, Gethin Jones in Wales, Carol Kirkwood in Scotland and Holly Hamilton in Northern Ireland helping to cover this historic celebration. There is also a reflection on the celebrations that took place earlier in the day, including a behind-the-scenes look at EastEnders, and the Trooping the Colour with its unmissable flypast. 

Sky

Over on Sky News  you can watch Jubilee Breakfast with Kay Burley from 7am to 10am where Kay Burley will be live outside Buckingham Palace as events to mark Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee get underway. Kay will be previewing a packed day of special events and talking to many of those involved.

Also on Sky News you can watch Trooping The Colour from 10am to 1pm and then from 9pm to 10pm there is The Jubilee Beacon Show which sees Gillian Joseph live at Buckingham Palace as more than 2,000 beacons are lit around the United Kingdom to mark 70 years of Her Majesty The Queen’s reign.

The Royal Family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.

The Royal Family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace. (Image credit: Getty Images)

What's happening on Friday, June 3?

BBC One

The Jubilee Service of Thanksgiving, 9.15am will air live on BBC One from St Paul's Cathedral. Members of the Royal Family as well as many other distinguished guests will gather for this very special event to give thanks to Her Majesty for her seven decades of dedicated service. Kirsty Young, David Dimbleby and Sophie Raworth present. 

Blue Peter, 5pm on CBBC and BBC iPlayer will air a Jubilee special for younger viewers, which will see presenters Richie Driss and Mwaksy Mudenda help prepare one of the Jubilee Beacons and bake a Platinum pudding! "I’m so excited to be a part of Blue Peter’s Jubilee celebrations. It is incredible to think that Her Majesty has been The Queen for 70 years!" says Mwaksy. "I am looking forward to tea, lots and lots of cake, and finding out how kids all across the UK will be celebrating in their communities."

The One Show Jubilee Special, 6.45pm on Friday will see more special celebrations for the bank holiday weekend. Presenter Alex Jones told us: "We cannot wait to help kick off the BBC’s coverage of The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee with a guide to all the amazing events and stories from across the UK about how the whole country is celebrating!"

The Crown Jewels, 7.30pm sees Clive Myrie delve into the fascinating history of the Crown Jewels in this film marking the Platinum Jubilee. The stories behind some of the huge gemstones, such as the Great Star of Africa and the Koh-i-Noor Diamond, shed light on Britain’s colonial past. And while the English lost many of their jewel-encrusted ceremonial objects when they were destroyed by Oliver Cromwell, there’s a fascinating tale about how the Scots managed to smuggle ‘The Honours’, as their Crown Jewels are called, out of a besieged castle via some seaweed! Clive also gamely tries his hand at a spot of crown-making, but won’t be giving up the day job any time soon! 

TV tonight hat a gem! Clive admires a replica crown

Clive Myrie shows off the Crown Jewels to mark the Platinum Jubilee. (Image credit: BBC)

Sky

Over on Sky News Jubilee Breakfast with Kay Burley is back at 7am, which will see Kay Burley at St Paul’s Cathedral for the special service of thanksgiving. Kay will be joined by those taking part in the service as well as Sky News correspondents around the UK.

What's happening on Saturday, June 4?

Crowds gathered on The Mall to celebrate the Queen's Golden Jubilee.

Crowds gathered on The Mall to celebrate the Queen's Golden Jubilee. (Image credit: Getty Images)

BBC One

On Saturday, June 4, the celebrations then continue into the night as the Platinum Party at the Palace airs live on BBC One at 7.30pm.

Bringing together some of the biggest names from across the entertainment business, it promises to be a night full of music and laughter as well as an entertaining look back at some of the most significant moments of Her Majesty's reign. 

Diana Ross, Queen and Adam Lambert, Duran Duran and Sir Rod Stewart will perform at a star-studded concert along with Alicia Keys, George Ezra, Hans Zimmer, Mabel and Eurovision singer Sam Ryder.

Other stars lined up include Craig David, Ella Eyre, Elbow, Jax Jones, Celeste, Andrea Bocelli, Sigala and Nile Rogers, while Kirsty Young and Roman Kemp will present the show. Sir Elton John will take part too, although his performance will be pre-recorded because he is currently on a European tour.

TV tonight The presenting team.

The presenting team for the BBC's Platinum Party at the Palace.  (Image credit: BBC)

ITV

On ITV the celebrations begin with a day at the races as The Queen and other members of the Royal Family attend Racing Live: The Derby — Platinum Jubilee Special on ITV at 12.40pm. 

The National Lottery’s Big Jubilee Street Party will air from 5pm to 7pm. Hosted by Jason Manford and Fleur East, famous faces from across the country will be entertaining an audience of 10,000 at the AO Arena, Manchester with an afternoon of special performances, surprise guests and moving stories that will narrate the queen’s extraordinary 70-year reign.  

Ella Henderson, Becky Hill, Heather Small, House Gospel Choir, Tom Grennan, Kaiser Chiefs and Steps are just some of the performers taking part in the entertainment extravaganza.

Jason and Fleur hosting the Big Jubilee Street Party

Jason and Fleur will be hosting the Big Jubilee Street Party on ITV.  (Image credit: ITV)

Sky

Over on Sky News there will be a Jubilee Breakfast from 6am, where Kamali Melbourne will be outside Buckingham Palace as people around the country mark the third day of Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations. 

What's happening on Sunday, June 5

A street party from the Queen's Silver Jubilee.

A street party from The Queen's Silver Jubilee. (Image credit: Getty Images)

BBC One

On Sunday, June 5 many communities will come together for The Big Jubilee Lunch, but alongside sandwiches (with the crusts off?) and plenty of delicious cake (fingers crossed!), BBC One will also be showing coverage of The Platinum Jubilee Pageant at 1pm.

From the streets of London artists, dancers, musicians and military personnel will tell the story of the The Queen's 70-year reign in a spectacular festival. 

Divided into four acts each one will celebrate a different aspect of The Queen's reign and life in the UK.

Act 1 is called For Queen and Country and will be a military spectacle celebrating the Armed Forces from around the UK and Commonwealth. Act 2 is titled The Time of Our Lives and will celebrate life in Britain from 1952 up to the modern day. As well as a host of dancers, classic vehicles, music and fashion, 150 national treasures will also feature including Sir Cliff Richard, Heston Blumenthal, Gary Lineker and even Basil Brush – Boom! Boom! Act 3 is named Let's Celebrate and is where the party really gets started as street theatre, dance, music and giant sculptures all come together in a fantastic celebration of creativity and imagination. Act 4 is called Happy and Glorious and is centred around the Queen Victoria Memorial in front of Buckingham Palace where performers including music megastar Ed Sheeran will help bring the celebrations to a dramatic and triumphant final.

One part of the pageant not to be missed is a section called the 'River of Hope,' where 200 silk flags will be carried down The Mall like a moving river. The flags have been designed by school children across the UK and represent the children's hopes and dreams for the planet over the next 70 years. 

Antiques Roadshow Coronation Special will air at 7pm on BBC One, with Fiona Bruce and members of the team heading to Edinburgh to the Royal Yacht Britannia for a special edition of the much-loved programme. They will look back at the reign of Elizabeth II through objects brought in by those who have worked for her. 

Bluey on Cbeebies

(Image credit: BBC)

As part of The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations, CBeebies will also be airing a very special episode of much-loved children's animation Bluey, meaning the youngest members of the family can join in the celebrations as well. The episode, called ‘Queens’ will be available for the first time on free-to-air TV in the UK and follows sisters Bluey and Bingo as they play a game of ‘Queens’ and discover that playing the butler is much more fun.

ITV

Platinum Jubilee: What a Weekend! on ITV will air at 8pm, taking a look back at the weekend of celebrations to mark the Queen's 70-year reign. Kirsty Young will present the show which will see footage of the Trooping the Colour, beacon lighting around the UK and the service of thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral, the concert at Buckingham Palace and the Platinum pageant. 

Sky

Sky News will also be offering their own coverage of Sunday's events, starting with Jubilee Breakfast with Sophy Ridge at 6am, then from 11am The Jubilee Big Lunch with Kay Burley sees live coverage from around the UK of the many big lunch events taking place to mark The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, with special guest Dame Joanna Lumley and Sky Royal Events commentator Alastair Bruce. Then at 2pm Kay Burley will cover The Jubilee Pageant. 

In case you missed it...

There has been plenty of Jubilee coverage on TV in the run up to the Jubilee bank holiday weekend. Here is everything you might have missed and how you can catch up...

Footage from the archives

Elizabeth: The Unseen Queen, aired Sunday, 29 May on BBC One and is now available on BBC iPlayer

A 20-year-old Princess Elizabeth enjoying a visit to South Africa in 1947 from the forthcoming BBC documentary, 'Elizabeth: The Unseen Queen'

A 20-year-old Princess Elizabeth enjoying a visit to South Africa in 1947. (Image credit: BBC)

Elizabeth: The Unseen Queen is a special documentary that will see Queen Elizabeth II narrating and telling viewers her story in her own words.

To bring the documentary to life, the BBC was granted special access to hundreds of private home movies shot by the Royal Family, including clips of a young Princess Elizabeth smiling at her engagement ring, that have previously never been seen by the public.

In addition to this, filmmakers also listened to over three hundred of the Queen's speeches across 80 years to give an in-depth portrait of her life, with footage including significant moments in the Queen's life from being pushed in a pram by her mother to her coronation at the age of 27 in 1953.

The proof's in the pudding!

The Jubilee Pudding: 70 Years in the Baking, aired on Thursday, May 12, 8pm on BBC One, but you can now watch on iPlayer 

The Judges and finalists with their puddings.

The judges and finalists with their puddings.  (Image credit: BBC)

Following a nationwide competition to find a new pudding to celebrate the 70th anniversary of The Queen's reign, Dame Mary Berry and chef Monica Galetti are among the judges to decide which pud is fit for a queen.

In this delicious show, the five finalists, who have been whittled down from thousands of entrants, are tasked with making their decadent desserts in the kitchens of Fortnum & Mason. The Duchess of Cornwall will then have the final taste test and announce the winner. 

The recipe will then to made available so the successful sweet can be enjoyed not only by Her Majesty but also by the nation as it is baked at street parties across the land for The Big Jubilee Lunch, on Sunday, June 5.

A night to remember…

The Queen's Platinum Jubilee Celebration, aired Sunday, May 15, on ITV, but you can catch up on ITV Hub

Phillip Schofield and Julie Etchingham will host The Queen's Platinum Jubilee Celebration on ITV

Phillip Schofield and Julie Etchingham will host The Queen's Platinum Jubilee Celebration on ITV. (Image credit: ITV)

The first live TV event to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee is a star-studded concert from the grounds of Windsor Castle.

Phillip Schofield and Julie Etchingham will host as a plethora of performers take to the stage, plus 500 horses and a 75-piece orchestra.

The evening is split into four acts and will present a 'gallop through history' from the reign of Queen Elizabeth 1 to the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, depicting key moments in history along the way. 

Each act also has a celebrity host with none other than Hollywood superstar Tom Cruise taking charge of one, followed by Billions actor Damian Lewis, Bridgerton star Adjoa Andoh and garden guru Alan Titchmarsh. 

Dame Helen Mirren will play Queen Elizabeth 1, comedian Omid Djalili narrates and there will also be a host of musical stars including Keala Settle, Gregory Porter and Katherine Jenkins. 

Speaking of hosting such a momentous occasion, Phillip said: "What a milestone - it's an honour to be involved and to be asked back following the Diamond Jubilee. Celebrating the 70-year reign of a British monarch has never happened before, so it feels incredible that we are involved in a key part of history that the British public will look back on for years to come. The fact the Queen acceded the throne when she was only 25 years old really is astonishing. It's a joy to be involved. 

"I think Dame Helen Mirren as Queen Elizabeth I will be such a fantastic moment to see live. It's also great having Omid as the Herald, he brings such brilliant humour and wit to proceedings which is a really nice touch."

A cake fit for a queen

Juliet's Jubilee Bakes, aired Monday, May 16 on ITV but you can catch up on ITV Hub

Regular This Morning chef Juliet Sear kicks off a new segment on the flagship ITV daytime show, visiting royal locations and sharing regal-inspired recipes. 

In Juliet's Jubilee Bakes, the talented chef will be popping into Balmoral, Sandringham and Windsor to discover more about cooking for royalty, meeting one of the Queen's former chefs and the ladies of the Sandringham WI for some extra special tips on the perfect party food.

Packed full of ideas and recipes to celebrate in delicious style, this is a must-see for anyone planning a royal-inspired party.

Picture perfect

Grayson's Art Club: Queen's Jubilee Special, aired Wednesday, May 25, at 10pm on C4 and is now available on 4OD

A one-off special of the popular painting show to celebrate Her Majesty. At the beginning of the year artist Grayson Perry and his wife Philippa Perry put out a call for members of the public to send in their own artwork on the theme of The Queen.

This show sees the pair, plus a special guest, look through the entrants and select their favourites for a national exhibition. They will also be creating their own portraits of Elizabeth II and discussing her role and influence on the nation as a whole. 

"For most of us The Queen has always been there, a part of who we are, a dream symbol. She carries a lot of meaning, she's a good subject for art," says Grayson. 

Joanne Lowles
Freelance writer and editor

Joanne Lowles has been writing about TV since 2002. After graduating from Cardiff University with a Postgraduate Diploma in Magazine Journalism, she worked for All About Soap magazine covering the ups and downs of life on the cobbles, the square and the Dales. 


Next came nearly 10 years at TV Times magazine as a writer and then deputy features editor. Here she spent many happy days interviewing the biggest names in entertainment and visiting the sets of some of our most popular shows including Downton Abbey, Call the Midwife and Strictly Come Dancing


With a love of nature and wildlife she’s also interviewed the leading experts in this area including David Attenborough, Chris Packham and Steve Backshall. She’s also travelled the world visiting Mongolia, Canada and South Africa to see how the best in the business make the most brilliant natural history documentaries. 


Freelance since 2013, she is now is a digital writer and editor for What to Watch, previews the best on the box for TV Times mag each week and loves being constantly surprised, entertained and informed by the amazing TV that she is lucky enough to watch.