More than 2,000 beacons were lit in unison across the UK and the Commonwealth on Thursday evening to commemorate the Queen’s Jubilee.
As part of the four-day celebrations, beacons will be lit in cities, towns and capitals while a main “tree of trees” lights up the sky outside Buckingham Palace.
Members of the royal family will attend the main lighting ceremony in London, where Grammy winner Gregory Porter will be the “lead singer”.
Why do we light beacons?
The UK has a long tradition of lighting beacons to commemorate royal anniversaries, weddings and coronations.
In 1897, they were lit to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee, while the Queen has had them for her Silver, Gold and Diamond Jubilees in 1977, 2002 and 2012, as well as her 90th birthday. birthday in 2016.
Image: A cream lighthouse during the Queen’s Golden Jubilee concert in 2002
Hundreds of years ago, beacon chains were used as communication and navigation tools, but since then they have become a symbol of the union in key moments of national importance.
Prior to the 2012 London Olympics, the Olympic torch was carried across the UK before traveling to London to mark the start of the Games.
Image: Queen and Duke of Edinburgh next to a lighthouse at Windsor Castle for VE Day
Where do they light up on Thursday?
There are three types of beacon lighting events across the country and in the Commonwealth on Thursday.
Thousands of community beacons will be lit through cities and towns and at places of interest by the local community and charities.
Fifty-four Commonwealth beacons will also be lit in each of the Commonwealth capitals.
The main lighthouse will be lit in the presence of the royal family in front of Buckingham Palace.
Image: The Tree of Trees is being built outside Buckingham Palace
Although the main lighthouse has traditionally been set on fire, this year it is taking the form of a 70-foot light fixture called the “Tree of Trees.”
Designed by Thomas Heatherwick, it celebrates the royal family’s commitment to environmental causes and the Queen’s Green Canopy tree planting initiative.
The sculpture consists of 80 steel branches holding 350 trees in aluminum pots marked with the Queen’s cipher.
What time is everything happening?
The events officially begin at 2 pm, when the announcers will read a proclamation announcing the lighting of the beacons later in the evening.
As darkness falls, beacon ceremonies will begin around 9:00 p.m., and members of the royal family will arrive at the main lighting ceremony at 9:25 p.m.
Bagpipe bands will play Diu Regnare (Long to Reign) at 9:35 p.m.
Then at 9.40 pm there will be an official bugle call entitled Majesty written especially for the Jubilee and performed by bugles and bugles.
At 9:45 p.m., the beacons will be lit and communities will sing A Life Lived with Grace – the song for the Commonwealth – which won a contest to be chosen as the official beacon song.
It will be performed at Buckingham Palace by the lead singer of the Jubilee, Gregory Porter.
Image: Gregory Porter at the Los Angeles Grammys. Image: AP
What tags should I watch out for?
Parallel to the ceremony at Buckingham Palace, beacons are being lit in strange and wonderful places across the country.
Teams from the veteran Walking with the Wounded charity will light four torches on top of the highest peaks in each of the four nations: Scafell Pike in England; Mountain Snowdon in Wales; Ben Nevis in Scotland and Slieve Donard in Northern Ireland.
Image: Members walking with injured prepare for their four mountain beacon climbs
The CEO of the charity, Fergus Williams, told Sky News that they will be out between 3pm and 4pm to make sure they are in charge during the crucial moment.
“Clearly there will be a moment of reflection,” he told Kay Burley. “Seventy years of His Majesty’s service is phenomenal. We are very honored to have been asked to do so, so we will gladly do so.”
Image: An army general lights a lighthouse at Edinburgh Castle
There will be major official lighthouse ceremonies in the capitals of the four nations: the Tower of London, Cardiff and Edinburgh Castles and the Titanic Belfast.
Spectacular beacon lighting events are also being planned on the Hadrian’s Wall and the Cawfield Quarry in Northumberland, as well as on the tops of cliffs, beaches and in large rural estates.
What types of tags are there?
There are four different types of beacons that are used as part of the Jubilee celebrations.
Gas-powered beacon
Image: Lewis Wilde tests one of the new Jubilee gas-powered beacons
The burner heads of these specially designed new beacons are shaped like a balloon to represent Commonwealth countries.
They are surrounded by a metal crown, run on gas cylinders and cost local authorities, community groups and charities around £ 500 each.
Lighthouse brazier with metal shield
Image: A lighthouse at Mile End, East London
These beacons are usually placed on tall wooden or metal poles and are lit with solid fuel. Its metal shield is also crown-shaped.
Communities may already have them from previous royal events.
Bonfire
Image: A bonfire in Pitlochry, Scotland
Beacons can also take the form of a traditional bonfire. These must be lit at least 200 feet away from all buildings, roads and railways and have the permission of the landowner.
The official guide suggests that at least 12 commissioners should monitor the flames as well as local firefighters.
Straw man lighthouse
Image: Strawman bonfire preparation before the Jubilee
Similar to a normal bonfire but built with large straw bales in the shape of a stick man.
These are lit with paper and solid fires at six points around the straw man.