Queen Elizabeth II delivers the Queen's Speech in the House of Lord's Chamber during the State Opening of Parliament at the House of Lords
(Picture: Getty Images)Unless you’ve been MIA under a rock on the moon’s sea of tranquillity, you’ll know that this year, the nation celebrates the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee - that’s 70 years of wearing the crown.
Queen Elizabeth II ascended to the throne at the tender age of just 25 in 1953, the day after Mount Everest had been conquered for the very first time. Her reign has seen remarkable events, from the rise of the Beatles, the supersonic age of Concorde, and the launch of the World Wide Web.
She’s seen 14 British Prime Ministers come and go, met with 13 US Presidents and four Popes, and been a hu-mum to umpteen corgis (she’s also been credited with creating the ‘dorgi’, a dachshund-corgi mix made when one of her dogs got together with her sister Margaret’s pup).
Is it any wonder Netflix produced a hit series of it all?
She is the UK’s longest reigning monarch, overtaking her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria, who herself impressively ruled for 64 years and had an entire age in history named after her. A platinum jubilee is incredibly rare: we won’t see another for at least the next three sovereigns. To mark the occasion, the UK will enjoy a four-day Jubilee Weekend from June 2 - 5, filled with special events, parades, street parties and a pageant programme presented, amongst others, by Tom Cruise and Alan Titchmarch.
If you want to join in with more than a bit of flag-waving and bunting, there’s plenty of commemorative products rolling off production lines. Snap up a Barbie doll modelled on HRH (once it’s restocked, that is), a jar of pickles for your celebration sarnie, and burn off the calories on a Platinum Jubilee rowing machine (yup, really).
From the weird to the wonderful, here’s our pick of the best merch to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
Shop now
Evening Standard commemorative Platinum Jubilee merch
ES has commissioned three very different portraits of our Queen in honour of her Platinum Jubilee from three contemporary artists.
Each artist’s work will be available to buy as a print (£39), tea towel (£24), tote bag (£29), plate (£49), and twin teacup and saucer set (£129). All profits will be donated to the Evening Standard’s ongoing Ukraine Appeal.
Buy now, FLYP
Nyetimber Platinum Jubilee Edition Classic Cuvée
Raise a glass to Her Maj's 70 years of service with Nyetimber. The leading English sparkling wine producer has come up trumps for the occasion with a Jubilee Edition of its classic cuvée, wrapped in oyster-coloured packaging printed with Union Jacks, crowns, golden bubbles, and a gold foil top. One for stylish soirees, the serve is ideal with finger sandwiches and other party food.
Buy now £34.99, Harvey Nichols
Fortnum’s Platinum Jubilee Mini Musical Biscuit Tin, 150g
The musical biscuit tins at royal grocer Fortnum & Mason are almost as coveted as the brand’s selection of hampers. They’re usually for special occasions like birthdays and Christmas, and now, the team have devised a limited edition version for the Platinum Jubilee. Wind it up to hear a rousing rendition of “God Save the Queen” as you nibble on the dark chocolate and macadamia nut biscuits inside.
Buy now £14.95, F&M
F&M The Jubilee Tea Party Hamper
If you’re looking for an excuse to splash out on one of those aforementioned F&M hampers, the Jubilee is it. F&M’s team has put together this sumptuous compilation to help you display your patriotism in gluttonous style. Expect a wicker basket heaving with old favourites and new creations: think pistachio and clotted cream biscuits, vintage marmalade, the musical tin box, rose and berries preserve, a limited edition Jubilee tea, and of course, a commemorative tea towel.
As a royal warrant holder, Fortnum & Mason has gone all out for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, with gifts, food and jewellery for the event. See the full offering here.
Buy now £150.00, F&M
Whitley Neil Platinum Jubilee Original London Dry Gin
Up until recently it was an open secret that the Queen liked a daily tipple or two, including a Dubonnet aperitif, made with 30 per cent gin. Raise a glass to her this June with Whitley Neil’s commemorative London dry gin, which works nicely in HRH’s serve or as a classic G&T.
Buy now £29.00, Harvey Nichols
Cartwright & Butler The Platinum Jubilee Collection
Aside from Her Maj and a fondness for queuing, there really is nothing more British than a good old cuppa. Cartwright & Butler have put together this selection of biccies that they believe would get the royal seal of approval. It’s hard to disagree- all the favourites are here, from crumbly shortbread, chocolate brownie biscuits and even a pack of Earl Grey.
Also available at Selfridges.
Buy now £18.00, Cartwright & Butler
Tracklements Right Royal Pickle
Planet-friendly pickle brand and kitchen cupboard staple Tracklements has whipped up a brand new condiment to mark the Queen’s 70 years on the throne. Named Right Royal Pickle, the vegan spread features Lincolnshire onions and a balanced combo of sweet (Muscovado sugar) and sour (malt vinegar) along with tamarind paste, chilli, all spice and lemon juice. Try it within a classic Ploughman’s, or plonk it down on your street party table and let it be the star of the show.
Buy now £6.05, Tracklements
Emma Bridgewater Queen’s Platinum Jubilee 1/2 Pint Mug
British ceramics brand Emma Bridgewater has joined in on marking the big event with a classic half-pint mug. It features silhouettes of the lions and unicorns found on the royal crest as well as the dates of Queen Elizabeth’s reign: 1952 - 2022. There are two other designs; a God Save The Queen mug and a green look with the words 70 Glorious Years.
Find more of the brand’s Jubilee products here.
Also available at John Lewis.
Buy now £22.00, Emma Bridgewater
Harrods Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Apron
Luxury Knightsbridge department store Harrods is bringing cooking equipment to the party in the form of this cream and blush apron, in celebration of the Queen’s lengthy reign. The cotton design will make an ideal gift for the baking or cooking obsessive in your life.
Buy now £25.00, Harrods
Biscuiteers Buckingham Palace X Biscuiteers Platinum Jubilee
Where there’s a special event, there’s a limited edition Biscuiteers tin. This Queen-themed selection includes biscuits iced to look like her beloved corgis, plus soldiers, Buckingham Palace, the royal carriage and of course, a crown.
Also available at Selfridges.
Buy now £58.00, Biscuiteers
The Make Arcade Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Mini Corgi Cross Stitch Kit
Can’t/won’t get over your cross stitch addiction? Make one HRH herself would be proud of with this kit, which puts her adored pets as the main attraction. The cute cross stitch is an ideal project for beginners as well as royal fans.
Buy now £10.00, John Lewis
Ulster Weavers Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Linen Tea Towel, Multi
Big royal events are generally marked by a certain kind of goods: commemorative plates, mugs and tea towels. The Ulster Weavers present their own take with this floral tea towel, rendered in pretty pastel tones. It’s a sweet thing to own or give to your mum or nan.
Buy now £12.00, John Lewis
Pique-Nique Jubilee Hamper
What's better than an early summer picnic in the sunshine? One that’s been lovingly made by the professionals.
If you're planning an al fresco celebration of our monarch over the four-day weekend, put in an order for one of Pique-Nique's Jubilee Hampers, a celebration of the best of British fare.
From enormous Scotch eggs and sausage rolls, to a Coronation chicken salad you'll be fighting each over for, plus plenty of finger sandwiches and, sweets and salads in between, it's a hearty bundle for two picnickers. Also included are two cans of The Uncommon canned wine to wash the lot down with, as well as recyclable cutlery, plates and napkins - everything but the bunting.
With your parkside feast taken care off, all you'll need to focus on is the celebrating.
Buy now £60.00, Pique Food
Pierre Marcolini Queen’s Platinum Jubilee chocolate box
A box of chocs is always a winner at any occasion. Whether you’re the one throwing the party or you’re just a guest at one, have Pierre Marcolini’s delightful confections to hand, ready to share. Offered in a box sporting the Union Jack under the Queen’s crown, the selection consists of 33 of the brand’s favourite luxury chocolates.
Available from April 29
Buy now £25.00, Pierre Marcolini
Platinum Jubilee Limited Edition Teacup and Saucer
Who doesn’t adore a bit of pomp and ceremony - even when it comes to a humble cup of tea? With only 100 of these tea and saucer sets made, your brew will taste even better sipped from this highly decorated fine bone china set. Although, as it’s finished with 22ct gold, it might be a display-only sort of situation.
Shop the Platinum Jubilee collection here.
Buy now £225.00, Royal Collection
Hydrow x Alex Echo limited edition Jubilee rower
One of the more eyebrow-raising jubilee products out there, but all for a good cause. Twenty per cent of the sales from this bright and beautiful machine designed in collaboration with artist Alex Echo will go to Parkinson’s UK to further research into the disease.
Buy now £3500.00, Hydrow
Cadbury's Jubilee Cadbury Roses
A box of Roses chocolates may feel more of a Christmas thing, but this year Cadbury is setting a crown atop its head in honour of the Queen's 70 year reign.
The rounded tin features the famous jewelled headpiece in front of ruby red roses to mark the special occasion. There will also be a share-size Dairy Milk Jubilee bar with the official pageant stamp of approval underlining the relationship between the confection brand and The Firm.
As if we needed any further excuses to tuck into our favourite sweets. Available from May 1.
Buy now, Cadbury's
