500 Horses to Take Part in Spectacular Platinum Jubilee "Personal Tribute" to Queen Elizabeth
When the Queen marks 70 years on the throne in 2022, celebrations are planned throughout the year to honor her record-breaking reign. And today, details of one of the events—an equestrian display to be held at Windsor Castle in May—were revealed.
“A Gallop Through History” will tell the story of events from the reign of Queen Elizabeth I to Queen Elizabeth II featuring 500 horses and more than a thousand other performers. It will be staged from May 12 to 15 in the grounds of Windsor Castle before an audience of 4,000 which will include the royal family. “There is a really good bookending there between two of our great female monarchs,” said Simon Brooks-Ward, who is producing and directing the event.
The showcase is being funded by private and commercial donations, and has what was described as a “healthy budget.” It is aiming to raise £1.2 million for NHS and key worker charities. Famous faces will be taking part, with Helen Mirren and Stephen Fry promoting the event at its launch today.
Chairman of the Advisory Committee for the performance, Sir Mike Rake, said that it would be “a particularly personal tribute to our monarch,” adding, “It is a real coming together of performers, participants and representatives of the nation and the commonwealth.” He also pointed out, “It is particularly fitting that the Platinum Jubilee celebrations will be held in the shadow and grounds of Windsor Castle, a place that has seen 1,000 years of history and change.”
Specific details of the performers and narrative have yet to be confirmed. Simon Brooks-Ward said that the Queen “trusts us to produce something that’s appropriate,” but added that “obviously the Queen will be kept informed at all times.”
The event will be separate to the June weekend of Platinum Jubilee celebrations, which will take place from Thursday, June 2 to Sunday, June 5 and includes a parade, beacons, thanksgiving service, live concert, and a pageant. The Queen marks 70 years on the throne on February 6, 2022. It is not yet known whether she will appear publicly on this date.
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