Preparations and rehearsals in full swing for UK Queen's platinum jubilee celebrations

Pilots involved in Buckingham Palace fly-past take to the air to ensure no mishaps on the big day

Workers add the final parts to the Tree of Trees sculpture, part of the Queen's Green Canopy Project. The sculpture, which will stand outside Buckingham Palace for the duration of the queen's platinum jubilee celebrations, consists of 350 native British trees planted in aluminium pots. Getty Images

Thomas Heatherwick, designer of the Tree of Trees sculpture, poses in front of Buckingham Palace. AFP

Royal superfan John Loughrey jumps for joy on The Mall, near Buckingham Palace, London, where he is already camped out for a prime position to view the platinum jubilee celebrations. PA

Model-maker Paula Young places a Lego replica of Queen Elizabeth II in a display replicating the royal balcony scene at Buckingham Palace for the Legoland platinum jubilee display in Windsor. PA

British Union flags are on display at Kirby Estate in London. EPA

The gold state coach passes the Houses of Parliament during an early morning rehearsal through London for Sunday's platinum jubilee pageant. PA

Workers hang bunting outside a hotel in central London. Reuters

Voyager and Rivet Joint aircraft perform in the sky for the queen's platinum jubilee fly-past rehearsal in Sleaford. EPA

A view from a cockpit during the rehearsal. PA

Royal Marines drummers play for residents of Church Hill near Birmingham. The nationwide celebrations will mark the 70th anniversary of the queen's accession to the throne. PA

The 15-kilogram Queen's Platinum Jubilee coin, made with fine gold, is the largest coin made by the Royal Mint, produced in celebration of her 70-year milestone. PA

Chelsea Pensioners Ted Fell, left, and George Reid pose as they view 'The Queen's Platinum Jubilee' display by Simon Lycett at Chelsea Flower Show in London. Reuters

Union flags are displayed along The Mall in London. AP

Fiona Baxter makes Union flags at the Flying Colours Flagmakers factory in Knaresborough. Getty Images

People stand underneath Union Jack flags hanging in Covent Garden, London. Reuters

Construction work at Buckingham Palace in London before Queen Elizabeth II's platinum jubilee. EPA

A display paying homage to Queen Elizabeth II is shown outside the Sloane Club in London, as part of 'Chelsea in Bloom'. AP

One of eight London buses given a purple makeover to celebrate the jubilee makes its way across central London. PA

Jemma Melvin poses in Fortnum and Mason, central London, with her lemon Swiss roll trifle that beat 5,000 desserts to become the official pudding of the jubilee celebrations. PA

A man has his photograph taken next to a life-size cardboard cut-out of Queen Elizabeth II displayed in a shop in Windsor. Getty Images

Flags designed by British fashion illustrator Anjelica Roselyn on display across South Molton Street in Mayfair to celebrate the jubilee. PA

People pass a shop window display commemorating the platinum jubilee in Windsor. Getty Images

A knitted figure of the queen is displayed on top of a post box in Wallasey. Reuters

Temporary structures are built around Buckingham Palace for the celebrations. Reuters

Linda Bainbridge and Miyuki Griffin put finishing touches to The Crown, Orb and Sceptre exhibit as part of 'A Festival of Flowers' at Salisbury Cathedral. PA

A glittering banner stretches across Carnaby Street shopping district in London. EPA

Lewis Wilde from Selkirk tests a gas-fuelled beacon he has made to signal the start of the celebrations, which will culminate with a four-day bank holiday in June. PA

The gold state coach stands in the Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace. The coach will be used as part of the jubilee celebrations. Getty Images

Union flags decorate a street Mayfair, London. EPA

Puppet-maker Louise Jones puts the finishing touches to her group of corgis, each based on past and present royal corgis, for the platinum jubilee pageant. AP Photo

Grounds staff change bedding plants outside Buckingham Palace. Getty Images

A member of the Royal Air Force Air Cadets holding the Commonwealth of Nations' Globe on its arrival at the Tower of London. It will be on display until June 2, when it will be used to light Buckingham Palace's principal beacon. PA

Power stilt artist Bouncy Bruce performs at the final unveiling of the platinum jubilee pageant at Bafta in London's West End. Reuters

Workers place a decorative crown at the top of a flag pole facing Buckingham Palace. Reuters

Abbey Marshall Leticia Edwards looks out at the view from the Henry VII roof of Westminster Abbey, which will be open to the public for the first time for guided tours, as part of its plans to celebrate the jubilee. PA

Members of the Household Cavalry during a musical ride rehearsal at Hyde Park in London for the Royal Windsor horse show, as part of the jubilee celebration. Reuters

A gardener sows seeds into the moat surrounding the Tower of London that will grow into a 'superbloom' display to celebrate the jubilee later this year. Reuters

Gilder Claire Wright applies gold paint by hand as she works to produce a platinum jubilee commemorative beaker for Goviers, as part of its Royal Commemoratives collection. AFP

Members of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment take part in the Maj Gen's Inspection in Hyde Park. The ceremonial unit must pass the inspection to take part in state duties. EPA

Across the UK, the country is gearing up into party mood as the days tick down to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s platinum jubilee.

She is already the longest-serving British monarch and a four-day holiday starting on Thursday, June 2 will honour her 70 years on the throne.

A towering Tree Of Trees sculpture has been placed in front of Buckingham Palace.

The 21-metre platinum jubilee centrepiece features 350 British-grown trees was completed on Tuesday, with the final piece of trunk lifted into position in the afternoon.

The sculpture's British designer Thomas Heatherwick said: “The queen approved the plans. She gave a big thumbs-up."

Some of the main events involve much rehearsal to get everything right on the day, including for Trooping the Colour. Five spectators were hurt during a practice session when a stand collapsed.

Pilots taking part in the Buckingham Palace fly-past have taken to the skies to practise and guard against any mishaps on the big day.

Six historic sites scattered across England, including a London theatre, Birmingham church and a Yorkshire pavilion, have been granted protected status as part of the celebrations.

A huge gold coin — 22cm in diameter and weighing 15kg — has been produced by the Royal Mint, commissioned by a private collector.

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