Eight UK Towns to Become Cities for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee
In honor of Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee, eight new cities have been named in the United Kingdom. Last year, when the competition opened for civic honors, nearly 40 locations submitted bids.
Today, the Cabinet Office announced the eight winners: Colchester, Doncaster, and Milton Keynes in England; Bangor, Northern Ireland; Douglas, Isle of Man; Dunfermline, Scotland; Stanley, Falkland Islands; and Wrexham, Wales.
"I am delighted that a record number of locations have been awarded the prestigious city status as part of Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Celebrations," Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Steve Barclay, said in a press release. "What was clear to me during the process of assessing each application was the pride that people felt for their communities, local cultural heritage and the Royal Family."
The size of the location does not matter, nor does the presence of a cathedral or university. "It's about the place rather than the numbers," government minister Jacob Rees-Mogg told the BBC. And, city status doesn't translate to any official benefits: "There never has been any privileges. It's always been a status thing, nothing more," English historian John Beckett said.
Winning city status can translate to a boost in local economies, however. For example, Perth, granted city status in 2012 in tandem with the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, has seen its local economy expand by 12% in the last decade, according to the Cabinet Office.
Reactions from the new cities have been jubilant.
On the list is Colchester, Britain's oldest recorded settlement and its first capital. "City status will mean that our dynamic economy, nationally recognised award-winning cultural and heritage assets and internationally renowned university can reach new heights," Colchester's MP Will Quince told the BBC. "We can all share pride in this honour."
The Isle of Man's capital, Douglas, was also granted the civic honor. "There is huge civic pride in the borough, but this is an honour for the whole island," Douglas council leader Claire Wells said.
Per the BBC, "Each new city will receive the award formally through a Letters Patent, which will be presented later in the year." Platinum Jubilee weekend officially kicks off Thursday, June 2, with a special Trooping the Colour.
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