Secretary of State for Northern Ireland hosts celebrations for HM the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee at Royal Hillsborough
June 2, 2022
The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations got off to a spectacular start at Royal Hillsborough today as Secretary of State, Rt Hon Brandon Lewis MP welcomed guests to Hillsborough Castle for a Royal Gun Salute and Medal Parade.
This special event, jointly hosted by the Secretary of State, Alderman Stephen Martin (Mayor of Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council) and Brigadier James Senior CBE (38 (Irish) Brigade) took place among the thousands of delighted guests at Hillsborough Castle’s Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Garden Party, which continues throughout the weekend.
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Brandon Lewis said: “I am delighted to host today’s celebrations at Hillsborough Castle, and privileged to present Platinum Jubilee medals to local members of the Armed Forces and Civilian Guard.
“This marks the start of a weekend filled with admiration and gratitude for Her Majesty the Queen’s seven decades of service, with celebrations continuing at Hillsborough and across Northern Ireland.”
Mayor of Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council, Alderman Stephen Martin reflected on the significance of the occasion: “Today we celebrate the 70 year reign of Her Majesty The Queen. As Mayor of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, it has been my privilege to serve in a year filled with historic moments. With Royal Status conferred on the village just last year, there is no better place than Royal Hillsborough to host these special events throughout the day and into the night with the lighting of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Beacon at Hillsborough Fort. Our celebrations will continue in the weeks and months ahead.”
Brigadier James Senior, CBE concluded: “Today’s Royal Gun Salute at Hillsborough Castle provides a fitting opportunity for the Armed Forces in Northern Ireland to celebrate and reflect on the extraordinary reign of Her Majesty The Queen. As well as the firing of the guns, members of the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force also participated in a parade where servicemen and women received their Platinum Jubilee Medals from the Lord Lieutenant of County Down and the Secretary of State.”
Further details on Queen’s Platinum Jubilee events can be found on the LCCC website: https://www.lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk/queens-platinum-jubilee
Caption: (L-R) LCCC Chief Executive David Burns, Brigadier James Senior CBE (38 (Irish) Brigade), Secretary of State, Rt Hon Brandon Lewis MP, Lord Lieutenant of County Down Gawn Rowan Hamilton, Mayor of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, Alderman Stephen Martin.