The weekend starts here: your guide to the official Platinum Jubilee events

From Thursday to Saturday, 2-4 June, the UK is alive with royal celebrations - and the capital has some extra-special tributes to the Queen lined up.

- Tony Jones, Syraat Al Mustaqeem and David Taylor

On 6 February 2022, Elizabeth II officially became the first British monarch to celebrate a O Platinum Jubilee. But rather than celebrating in winter, in true regal style the celebrations are taking place four months later over this extended four-day bank holiday.

Here's your essential round-up to a bumper weekend of royal festivities taking place in and around the capital to mark this historic milestone.

THE QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY PARADE

Thursday starts with The Queen's Birthday Parade, also known as the Trooping the Colour. More than 1,400 soldiers, 400 musicians and 200 horses from the Household Division will come together in the traditional parade to mark the Queen's official birthday.

From Buckingham Palace to The Mall, to Horse Guards Parade, the parade will be joined by members of the Royal Family on horseback and in carriages.

The ceremony has been held in London almost every year since King George IV began his reign, to mark the sovereign's official birthday. According to the Queen's great-grandfather Edward VII's tradition, official festivities are usually shifted to a time of better British weather.

The parade begins at Horse Guards at 10am and will finish by 12.25pm. A fly-past by the Royal Air Force takes place at 1pm and can be watched from The Mall.

Tickets were available by online ballot, but non-ticket holders can join the crowds on the edge of St James's Park to overlook Horse Guards Parade or along The Mall. The parade will also be broadcast live on the BBC.