Platinum Jubilee on TV: How to watch coverage in the UK and US as the Queen celebrates 70 years on the throne

Platinum Jubilee on TV: How to watch in the UK and US as well as the key events that can't be missed as the Queen celebrates her big day

Platinum Jubilee on TV: Queen Elizabeth II meets members of the public during a visit to the City Varieties Music Hall
(Image credit: Photo by Arthur Edwards - WPA Pool /Getty Images)

The Platinum Jubilee will be on TV, BBC One of course, as the world tunes in to see the Queen's big weekend. In light of the number of events, the concert, and programs that will be televised, it's important that any royal fans schedule their televisual delights wisely.


It's been a long time in the making, but the Queen's Platinum Jubilee 2022 is finally kicking off. If you're wondering how long has the Queen reigned, it's 70 years, and to celebrate huge events, filled with all the pomp and circumstance reserved for such occasions, are happening across the UK.

The center of the Queen's Jubilee celebrations is in London, where Buckingham Palace will host the extended Royal Family, the Queen's grandchildren, the Queen's great-grandchildren, and of course her own children and their spouses.

As it was confirmed that the Sussexes will be in attendance, as Prince Harry is 'satisfied' with UK security measures after 'iron cast assurances' of his family's safety, excitement has mounted for a royal reunion. As well as Archie and Lilibet, fans are also delighted to learn that the Queen's less high-profile great-grandchildren will be involved in the festivities - if only to see how much they've grown up!

Here's the lowdown on what's on, when, and how to watch the Platinum Jubilee on TV - with a clever hack so you can tune in from anywhere in the world.

How to watch the Platinum Jubilee on TV and online

Platinum Jubilee on TV: Crowds descend on The Mall as The Queen's Platinum Jubilee preparations near completion at Buckingham Palace, marking the 70th anniversary of the Queen's accession to the throne. Various events will take place over a special extended weekend from 2nd to 5th of June.

(Image credit: Vuk Valcic/SOPA Images/LightRocket/ Getty Images)

All of the coverage of the Platinum Jubilee on TV will be broadcast by BBC One and ITV. You'll be able to watch them live on TV as well as online via the broadcasters' streaming services - BBC iPlayer and ITV Hub respectively. Not only will it be possible to watch live, but you can catch up on all the excitement after the coverage ends too.

For those of you eager to watch from abroad, the good news is that you can tune in too - with the use of a VPN service to get around the geo-restrictions. It's a really easy-to-use piece of software that lets you change the IP address of your phone or laptop so it makes it look like you're back in the UK.

Our sister site, TechRadar, has tested all of the major VPN services and they rate ExpressVPN as the absolute best. They say, "It's compatible with all of your devices, supports most streaming services, and ranks amongst the fastest. You can even install it on devices like an Amazon Fire TV Stick, Apple TV, Xbox, and PlayStation. So for a one-stop-shop, you can't go wrong with Express."

If you've never installed a VPN before, don't worry, it's quick and easy. Just follow these three steps:

  1. Download and install the VPN following ExpressVPN's easy-to-follow instructions (ExpressVPN comes with a 30-day money back guarantee and if you click here you can get 49% off and 3 months free, too.)
  2. Once you've installed your VPN, open the app and select your server location as anywhere in the UK
  3. With your VPN installed and server location set to the UK, you can now go to Channel 4 online and watch Gogglebox UK. 
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What's on TV on Platinum Jubilee weekend?

Platinum Jubilee on TV: Queen's handbag 'request' revealed, seen here attending the Out-Sourcing Inc. Royal Windsor Cup polo match

(Image credit: Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)
  • Trooping the Colour - BBC One, Thursday June 2 from 10am BST.
  • Eastenders, starring Prince Charles and Duchess Camilla - BBC One, Thursday June 2 from 7.30pm BST.
  • Platinum Beacons: Lighting up the Jubilee - BBC One, Thursday June 2 from 8pm BST.
  • Platinum Jubilee:  A Service of Thanksgiving - BBC One, Friday June 3 from 9.15am BST.
  • The National Lottery's Big Jubilee Street Party - ITV, Saturday June 4 from 5pm BST.
  • Platinum Party at the Palace - BBC One, Saturday June 4 from 7.30pm BST.
  • The Platinum Jubilee Pageant - BBC One, Saturday June 4 from 7.30pm BST.

Trooping the Colour

Platinum jubilee on TV: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Colonel of the Irish Guards leads The Colonel's Review at Horse Guards Parade on May 28, 2022 in London, England. The Colonel's Review is the final evaluation of the Trooping the Colour parade before the event which will take place on Thursday, June 02, in celebration of Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee. This year, it will be the Irish Guards Trooping their Colour, with the Duke of Cambridge evaluating the parade in his role as the regiment's Colonel.

(Image credit: Tristan Fewings/Getty Images)

On Thursday June 2, the Trooping of the Colour, which is the name reserved for the Queen’s Birthday parade, will mark Her Majesty's official birthday. More than 1,400 parading soldiers, 200 horses, and 400 musicians will come together for the Platinum Jubilee special of the traditional royal parade. 

In the run up to the event, during a rehearsal, a Trooping the Colour stand collapsed in a 'terrifying' moment that was cause for some concern. However, the event organizers have addressed safety concerns since.

Platinum Beacons: Lighting up the Jubilee

Platinum Jubilee on TV: The Commonwealth of Nations' Globe is displayed in the White Tower on it's arrival to the Tower of London on April 14, 2022 in London, England. The Commonwealth of Nations' Globe, which features stones from UK's highest peaks, will be on display at the Tower of London until June 2, 2022, when it will be used in the lighting of Buckingham Palace's Principal Beacon at the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Beacons event.

(Image credit: John Phillips/Getty Images)

Presenter Kirsty Young will be at the helm of this event, which is the official opening of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations. The day will be marked by the traditional lighting of beacons across the UK and the Commonwealth. All over the country, more than 1,500 beacons will be lit by local communities, to celebrate The Queen’s 70-year reign. The principal beacon will be lit at Buckingham Palace.

Although there's another, widely reported, 'distasteful' Jubilee tribute to the Queen that's dividing royal fans - it seems that most approve of the beacons.

Eastenders - starring Prince Charles and Duchess Camilla

Eastenders

(Image credit: Getty)

You read that right. Since it was revealed that Prince Charles is to relive university days with a surprise role in the Queen’s favorite soap opera - there's been a lot of excitement.

So what's going to happen on Albert Square? We guess you'll have to tune in and find out.

Platinum Jubilee: A Service of Thanksgiving

Kirsty Young, Sophie Raworth, and David Dimbleby will host the broadcast of the Service of Thanksgiving live from St Paul’s Cathedral in London.

The ceremony will be one of the more sombre of the weekend's events and will include beautiful music and hymns.

The National Lottery's Big Jubilee Street Party

Platinum Jubilee on TV: Press shot of ITV's 'The National Lottery's Big Jubilee Street Party'

(Image credit: ITV)

Jason Manford and Fleur East are hosting this event, held at the AO Arena in Manchester. It will see 10,000 guests enjoy a fun-filled afternoon of entertainment with performances, surprise guests, and emotional tales from the Queen's reign.

Performers include Heather Small, Steps, Mark Owen, House Gospel Choir, and Kaiser Chiefs. Performing arts groups including the choir of BSL singers, and The Northern College of Music will also be making an appearance - with more surprise guests yet to be announced.

Platinum Party at the Palace

An absolute who's who of national treasures will be hosting the Platinum Party and the Palace, including Sir David Attenborough, Emma Raducanu, and David Beckham. 

Taking place at Buckingham Palace, the former full time residence of the Queen until her recent move to Windsor Castle, the pop concert will celebrate the 70th year of Her Majesty’s reign.

Platinum Jubilee concert acts announced include Queen ft Adam Lambert, Diana Ross, Elton John, Duran Duran, Andrea Bocelli, and more. 

The Platinum Jubilee Pageant

Queen Elizabeth II leaves Buckingham Palace in a carriage during Trooping The Colour, the Queen's annual birthday parade

(Image credit: Photo by James Devaney/Getty Images)

The Queen's corgis featured heavily in the sneak peek of the floral displays due to feature in the Platinum Jubilee Pageant.

If that's not enough to wet your whistle, there's always going to be all manner of incredible performances, including one from Ed Sheeran.

Aoife Hanna
Junior News Editor

Aoife is an Irish journalist and writer with a background in creative writing, comedy, and TV production.

Formerly woman&home's junior news editor and a contributing writer at Bustle, her words can be found in the Metro, Huffpost, Delicious, Imperica and EVOKE.

Her poetry features in the Queer Life, Queer Love anthology.

Outside of work you might bump into her at a garden center, charity shop, yoga studio, lifting heavy weights, or (most likely) supping/eating some sort of delicious drink/meal.