Pipers around the British Commonwealth are being asked to help mark the Queen’s platinum jubilee next summer by playing a tune composed for the occasion by Stuart Liddell of Inveraray, Scotland. Organisers ask that pipers play the tune as the sun sets on June 2, 2022. The Queen ascended to the throne on June 2, 1953.
The tune, a 6/8 march titled Diu Regnare (Latin for ‘Long to reign’) has been composed by Liddell as part of the piping element of a larger and wider tribute. This includes members of the Walking with the Wounded charity lighting gas-fuelled beacons on top of the four highest peaks in the United Kingdom – Ben Nevis (Scotland), Scafell Pike (England), Mount Snowdon (Wales) and Slieve Donard (Northern Ireland).
The score and a sound file of Stuart Liddell’s tune can be found, below.
The piping idea is the join initiative of Edinburgh-based organisation, the Royal Celtic Society and Bruno Peek, the man behind the recent ‘Battle’s Over’ and VE Day 75 commemorations.
Founded in 1820, the Royal Celtic Society is one of the oldest such organisations that supports the language, literature, music and culture of the Highlands and Western Islands of Scotland. On behalf of the Society, Lady Jane MacRae said: “The idea was originally for pipers in Scotland to play under the banner of the Royal Celtic Society but after speaking with Bruno we decided to extend the invitation to include pipers from all over the Commonwealth.
“We contacted some eminent pipers to ask them to endorse the event. These included Willie McCallum, Jack Lee, Bruce Gandy, Alisdair McLaren, Ross Ainslie, and others. They will all play Stuart’s lovely tune from locations of their choosing.
Bruno Peek added: “What is significant about this event is that no other monarch in our lifetime, and in several lifetimes, will ever celebrate a platinum jubilee.”
• Listen to Stuart’s tune here*:
Stuart Liddell said: “I was delighted to be asked by Jane MacRae to write a piece of music for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee 2022. To be included in an event of such immense historical importance is a great honour.”
The Inveraray & District Pipe Band Pipe Major intends to play his tune on the iconic Aray Bridge in the Argyllshire village.
We understand the Queen with be presented with a framed copy of Liddell’s tune at a later date.
Pipers can register their participation here.
Everyone who registers will have their names entered into the official guide. They will also be sent a Certificate of Recognition to enable them to print, frame and keep it as a permanent reminder of their involvement in the event.
Organisations that have already confirmed their support for the event include the National Piping Centre, the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association, the Royal Scottish Pipers’ Society and the Northumbrian Pipers’ Society.
In the UK, the May Bank Holiday Weekend next year will be moved to Thursday, June 2 June with an additional Bank Holiday on Friday, June 3 thus allowing a four-day weekend to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. It will be the first time any British monarch has reached this historic milestone. A Platinum Jubilee medal will be awarded to people who work in public service including representatives of the Armed Forces, the emergency services and the prison services.
- We are grateful to Dan Nevans for providing this recording.
