Queen’s Silver, Golden and Diamond Jubilees saw millions party in celebration

Over the decades, the Queen’s jubilees have been colourful displays of pageantry, parties and pop concerts, giving the nation the chance to unite in celebration of the monarch and her years of service.

Now Elizabeth II is set to become the first British monarch to reach their Platinum Jubilee – marking 70 years on the throne.

It will be bittersweet, though, because it is her first Jubilee without the Duke of Edinburgh.

Here is a look back at the Queen’s past jubilees:

– Silver Jubilee in 1977

Large crowds also turned out to see her on a busy UK tour when she visited 36 counties over 10 weeks to mark 25 years on the throne.

Street parties were held across the country and beacons were lit in her honour.

At a Guildhall luncheon, the Queen reiterated the dedication she made at the age of 21 when she pledged her serve her country for life.

There was a River Progress of 140 vessels down the Thames, the opening of the Silver Jubilee Walkway and South Bank Jubilee Gardens, firework displays and a Palace balcony appearance.

The Queen, at the age of 51, became a grandmother for the first time with the birth of grandson Peter Phillips.

The Sex Pistols released their anti-authoritarian hit God Save The Queen which was banned on the airwaves.

They promoted it on their own Jubilee boat trip along the Thames which ended in their arrest.

– Ruby Jubilee in 1992

This was the year of the Queen’s 40th anniversary on the throne – but it is better known as her “annus horribilis” – one of the most difficult periods of her reign.

That year, the marriages of three of her four children were in tatters. The Princess Royal divorced, the Duke and Duchess of York separated and the Prince and Princess of Wales were splitting up.

Andrew Morton’s book, Diana: Her True Story, alleged that Diana was deeply unhappy and had attempted suicide.

The Queen announced that she would pay tax on her income and cut down the size of the Civil List.

In an unusually personal address at a London Guildhall luncheon in November 1992 to mark her 40th year on the throne, the Queen told guests: “1992 is not a year on which I shall look back with undiluted pleasure.”

Commemorations for this jubilee were low key. In October 1992, the Queen and her family attended the “Great Event” – a televised evening of performances at London’s Earl’s Court, and in the summer there was a prime ministerial banquet.

It was also the year of Black Wednesday – the day Britain crashed out of the European Exchange Rate Mechanism – and the break-up of Yugoslavia.

– Golden Jubilee in 2002

Just like the Silver Jubilee, people crowded into the Mall and the monarch toured Britain and the Commonwealth.

In 2002, more than 12,000 people won tickets to watch an unprecedented pop concert inside the grounds of Buckingham Palace for the Queen’s 50th anniversary.

The Prince of Wales paid tribute to his mother on stage, calling her “Mummy”, and there was a finale of fireworks and a light show over the Palace.

– Diamond Jubilee in 2012

The Queen is only the second British monarch to reach a Diamond Jubilee – following in the footsteps of her ancestor Queen Victoria.

But for most of the festivities held in June to mark the head of state’s 60 years on the throne, the Queen was forced to celebrate without Philip at her side.

The duke was taken to hospital with a bladder infection after enduring a wet and windy trip down the Thames during the Diamond Jubilee River Pageant.

The Queen also opened up the Palace gardens to thousands of picnickers, who were presented with special Jubilee hampers.

A pop concert – staged because of the success of the Golden Jubilee show – was held in front of the Palace as well-wishers descended on the Mall once again.

During the Silver Jubilee, the Queen circled the globe. But this time the sovereign had turned 86 and such duties fell to the younger generation of royals.

The year also saw London host the Olympic and Paralympic Games, and William and Kate announced they were expecting their first child.

– Sapphire Jubilee – 2017

The Queen made history as the first British monarch to reach 65 years on the throne – a Blue Sapphire Jubilee.

Buckingham Palace reissued a David Bailey photograph of the Queen to mark the occasion. She wore a suite of sapphire jewellery given to her by her father George VI as a wedding gift.

Then-prime minister Theresa May hailed the Queen as “truly an inspiration to all of us”, and celebratory stamps and coins were issued.