We welcome you to celebrate this unprecedented anniversary with us at Portsmouth Cathedral, with concerts, community events and family friendly activities taking place across the bank holiday weekend from Friday 3 to Sunday 5 June.

Visitors are invited to join a treasure hunt in and around the Cathedral, searching for The Queen Mother’s lost shoe! The ‘Hunt for the Lost Shoe’ treasure hunt is an ideal activity for families and children of all ages. Inspired by the unique story of how The Queen Mother really did lose her shoe on a visit to Portsmouth Cathedral in the early 1990’s, participants who successfully find the lost shoe will be entered into a draw to win a handmade ‘Crocheted Corgi’!

Portsmouth Cathedral’s own Organist and Master of Choristers, Dr David Price, will be treating audiences to an evening of wonderful music on Friday 3 June. The final in a series of evening organ recitals in the unique surroundings of Portsmouth Cathedral, the evening’s recital will feature music from Royal ceremonies and occasions throughout the ages. Continuing the music theme, the Solent Symphony Orchestra present a ‘Platinum Proms by the Sea’ featuring many familiar favourites including Nimrod, Jerusalem and the National Anthem plus many more with a royal theme. The Solent Symphony Orchestra have a longstanding tradition of performing at the Cathedral, holding an important and unique musical role within the city of Portsmouth, booking Is advised for what is expected to be an extremely popular concert.

Sunday afternoon the whole community are encouraged to grab a chair and join the party everyone is invited to! Taking place on the Cathedral’s green, The Big Jubilee Lunch is just one of many such events taking place nationally across the UK. Throughout the past century, Brit’s have been well known for our community celebrations, traditionally drawing people out of their homes to come together to mark special days.  We look forward to continuing this tradition with an explosion of bunting across the Cathedral! People are invited to bring their own food, and alongside ‘The Hunt for the Lost Slipper’ treasure hunt, there will also be a number of traditional games, including everyone’s frustrating favourite, hook a duck! Refreshments including teas, coffees and The Dean’s Tipple Gin will also be available to enjoy, as well as a special royal themed cocktail on offer, a perfect way toast to Her Majesty. Music and entertainment will also take place throughout the day, with further details being announced in the coming weeks on our website.

Music during Sunday morning services including 11am Eucharist and 9:30am #PompeySundays will feature music with a royal theme. Portsmouth Cathedral Choir will be rounding off the weekend’s celebrations singing for a special Choral Evensong for the Platinum Jubilee with representatives from parish choirs across our diocese, taking place on the evening of Sunday 5 June.

In the lead up to the Jubilee, ‘Portsmouth Cathedral’s Big Bunting Challenge’ invites seamstresses and seamsters from across the city to help adorn the Cathedral in hundreds of meters of recycled bunting. Budding creatives can find a template for ‘Cathedral Sized’ bunting on the Portsmouth Cathedral website, with a Portsmouth Cathedral Shop Gift Voucher up for grabs to the person who makes the most bunting!

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