Beacon Lighting Ceremonies to Mark Queen’s Diamond Jubilee

Four beacons will be lit at central points across the island on Monday (June 4), in celebration of the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth ll.

The locations are St. William Grant Park in Kingston; Montego Bay Civic Centre, St. James; Seville Heritage Park, St. Ann; and at the Port Antonio town centre in Portland.

The beacon lighting ceremonies, which will be arranged by the Custodes, will start at 9: 00 p.m. in Kingston, St. Ann and Portland and at 8:00 p.m in St. James. The beacons, designed by the Jamaica Defence Force and built by students from the Caribbean Maritime Institute (CMI), will be lit simultaneously at 10:00 p.m. at each location, and will remain lit for 24 hours.

 Similar ceremonies will be held in the United Kingdom (UK) and across the globe on the day, with Her Majesty to light the National Beacon. The plan is to have as many as 2012 beacons lit this year to mark the 60th anniversary of the Queen’s accession to the throne as of February 6, 2012.

Other activities in Jamaica to mark the milestone include a boat parade and yacht race at the north side of the Kingston Harbour on June 3, at 11:00 a.m. The event, organised by the Royal Jamaica Yacht Club will coincide with a flotilla of over 1,000 boats, which will muster on the River Thames in London. 

On Sunday (June 10), a church service will be held at the St. Andrew Parish Church starting at 10:30 a.m. A Diamond Jubilee Prayer, which was written at The Queen's direction, will be used at a Service of Thanksgiving to be held at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London on Tuesday (June 5), and also at the church service in Jamaica.  

Also to be held this month isan exhibition, which will showcase the visits by Her Majesty to Jamaica, a history of Jamaica-Britain relations, and the recipients of awards presented by Her Majesty.

Later in the year, asupplement will be published highlighting the activities in celebration of the Diamond Jubilee as well as provide a historical review of Her Majesty’s reign.

Commemorative Diamond Jubilee Medals will also be issued later this year by Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen to members of the armed forces, emergency services and prison service personnel in recognition of the 60th year of the reign of Her Majesty.

Jamaica, which is part of the Commonwealth realm, has been involved in activities by the UK to mark the Diamond Jubilee, with His Royal Highness Prince Henry of Wales (always called Prince Harry) visiting the island from March 5 to 8, where he took part in various activities.

Their Excellencies Governor-General, the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen and Lady Allen left the island on Thursday (May 31) for the Jubilee celebrations in London from June 1 to 6.

Members of the public are invited to attend all the Diamond Jubilee events planned for Jamaica.