Queen Elizabeth II: What is the Platinum Jubilee? - 6 Minute English

TL;DR

The Platinum Jubilee marks Queen Elizabeth II's 70-year reign with nationwide celebrations.

Transcript

Hello. This is 6 Minute English from BBC Learning English. I'm Neil. And I'm Sam. People in the UK are enjoying a four-day holiday as part of the celebrations for Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee. A jubilee celebrates the anniversary of a special event, and the word is mostly associated with the Royal Family. In 2022, Queen Elizabeth II celebr... Read More

Key Insights

• The Platinum Jubilee celebrates Queen Elizabeth II's 70 years on the throne, a milestone never before reached by a British monarch.
• Celebrations include a four-day holiday in the UK, featuring events at Buckingham Palace and street parties nationwide.
• A unique tradition for jubilees is the creation of a new dish, with this year's competition resulting in the Platinum Pudding.
• The Platinum Pudding, a lemon Swiss roll and amaretti trifle, was created by Jemma Melvin and is intended to be a humble, accessible dessert.
• Queen Elizabeth II's previous jubilees include the Silver Jubilee in 1977, the Golden Jubilee in 2002, and the Diamond Jubilee in 2012.
• The official celebrations include Trooping the Colour, a concert, and various events across the UK to honor the Queen's long reign.
• The concept of a 'twist on' a traditional recipe is highlighted in the creation of the Platinum Pudding, using innovative ingredients.
• Queen Victoria was the previous longest-reigning British monarch before Queen Elizabeth II, ruling for nearly 64 years.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the significance of the Platinum Jubilee?

The Platinum Jubilee marks the 70th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II's reign, making her the first British monarch to reach this milestone. It celebrates her unprecedented longevity on the throne and includes various nationwide events and a special dessert competition.

Q: What is the Platinum Pudding?

The Platinum Pudding is a lemon Swiss roll and amaretti trifle created by Jemma Melvin. It was chosen as the official dessert for the Platinum Jubilee, continuing the tradition of creating a new dish for royal jubilees. It is designed to be a humble, accessible dessert for everyone.

Q: How are people celebrating the Platinum Jubilee?

Celebrations for the Platinum Jubilee include a four-day holiday in the UK, with events such as Trooping the Colour, a concert at Buckingham Palace, and street parties across the country. These festivities honor Queen Elizabeth II's long and historic reign.

Q: Who was the longest-reigning British monarch before Queen Elizabeth II?

Before Queen Elizabeth II, Queen Victoria was the longest-reigning British monarch, ruling for nearly 64 years. Queen Elizabeth II surpassed this record, marking 70 years on the throne with her Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

Q: What is the tradition of creating a new dish for jubilees?

Creating a new dish for jubilees is a tradition that dates back to Queen Victoria's time. Each jubilee often features a new culinary creation, with the Platinum Jubilee introducing the Platinum Pudding, a lemon Swiss roll and amaretti trifle, as the official dessert.

Q: What events are part of the official Platinum Jubilee celebrations?

Official events for the Platinum Jubilee include Trooping the Colour, a live concert featuring music and performances, and street parties across the UK. These events are designed to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's 70 years on the throne and her impact on British history.

Q: Who created the Platinum Pudding and what is its significance?

Jemma Melvin created the Platinum Pudding, a lemon Swiss roll and amaretti trifle, for the Platinum Jubilee. Its significance lies in its humble nature, intended to be an accessible dessert for everyone, and it continues the tradition of creating a new dish for royal jubilees.

Q: What does 'a twist on' mean in the context of the Platinum Pudding?

In the context of the Platinum Pudding, 'a twist on' refers to a variation of a traditional recipe, using new and exciting ingredients. Jemma Melvin's creation is a twist on a traditional trifle, incorporating innovative elements like amaretti biscuits and lemon Swiss roll.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The Platinum Jubilee marks 70 years since Queen Elizabeth II ascended the throne, celebrating her unprecedented reign with various events across the UK. A key feature is the Platinum Pudding competition, which aims to create a new dessert to commemorate the occasion.

• The winning dessert, a lemon Swiss roll and amaretti trifle created by Jemma Melvin, is intended to be a humble dish that everyone can enjoy. This tradition of inventing a new dish for jubilees dates back to the Victoria sponge cake.

• Nationwide celebrations include street parties, an official birthday parade, Trooping the Colour, and a concert. The Platinum Jubilee highlights the Queen's unique place in British history as the longest-reigning monarch.