As the Queen, the longest-serving British monarch in history, attains 70 years on the throne, 2022 is expected to be a year of mixed blessings – with national celebrations as well as the possibility of yet more unwelcome headlines.
The monarch joins an extremely exclusive club in February when she marks her platinum jubilee, also achieved by Louis XIV of France, Johann II, Prince of Liechtenstein, and, most recently King Bhumibol of Thailand.
It is a first in UK royal history, with the occasion due to be celebrated over a four-day weekend in June. The festivities, including a service of thanksgiving and the colourful spectacle of a jubilee pageant, will be an undoubted highlight for the monarch, who will be 96 in April, and preparations for 2022 have long been in the planning at Buckingham Palace.
“But 2022 is going to be a year of mixed blessings for her, I think,” said Joe Little, the managing editor of Majesty magazine. “Clearly, there are various clouds on the horizon, the Duke of York perhaps being the biggest at the moment. But, blowing in from the west, the Duke of…
