In Pictures: Hove beacon lit to mark the Queen’s 70-year reign

Hove Beacon was among the thousands that were lit up across the UK and the Commonwealth to celebrate Her Majesty’s 70-year reign.

Draped in Union Jacks and waving flags, the delighted crowd enjoyed live music from a brass band and a performance from the Sussex Harmonisers before the beacon was lit.

Hove beacon lighting. Photo by Simon Dack

The monarch herself started the process by illuminating the Commonwealth of Nations Globe at Windsor Castle, which sent a river of light to Buckingham Palace, where the Duke of Cambridge watched as the Tree of Trees sculpture was bathed in light.

The symbolic moment came at the end of the first day of the Queen's celebrations and was something she “greatly enjoyed”.

Peter McGowran, chief yeoman warder from the Tower of London, carefully placed the Commonwealth of Nations Globe on a stand that glowed purple.

Hove beacon lighting. Photo by Simon Dack

After touching the symbol of the world, which sat on a cushion, the purple stand turned white and a river of purple lights spread across the quadrangle and turned white in succession.

Pageant master Bruno Peake, who organised the beacons marking the Queen’s Diamond and Platinum Jubilees, said more than 3,500 beacons would be lit around the globe.

He said: “To be able to stand next to your monarch commemorating a unique anniversary and moment in her life is such a privilege. It looked as though she didn’t want to leave.”

Crowds on Hove seafront. Photo by Simon Dack

The Queen was wearing a new piece of jewellery for the event – a diamond brooch which was a gift commissioned by the Goldsmiths’ Company to mark her Platinum Jubilee.

The brooch was inspired by the four home nations which are represented by four diamond swirls and the national flowers – rose, thistle, daffodil and shamrock.

It also includes a representation of the flowering plant lily of the valley, which was part of the Queen’s Coronation bouquet.