Art & Culture
The Royal Docks welcomes the Commonwealth Games 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay for a celebration of culture and community
● Supported by the Mayor of London and Mayor of Newham, the Royal Docks is set to host a spectacular appearance of the Queen’s Baton Relay during the Platinum Jubilee weekend
● The event will showcase talent from its diverse community, across land and water, including the English National Ballet’s ENBYouthCo, Dragon Boaters, Grime artists and more
● There will be a host of FREE family friendly activities including performances, workshops, food and drink, and live music
London, 23 May: The Queen's Baton Relay will visit the Royal Docks for a pitstop in London on Sunday 5th June, for a FREE community celebration ‘A Right Royal Docks Jubilee’ which celebrates diversity and talent amongst the community of Newham and the Capital.
The Queen’s Baton Relay kick starts a fantastic summer programme of arts and cultural activity in the Royal Docks which promises to delight and surprise locals, Londoners, and visitors alike.
This one-day event at the Royal Docks will take place during the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations and be the last moment for members of the public to see the Baton up close in London, before it moves on to its next destination. It will honour the nominated Batonbearers, recognising each for their contributions to the local area, whether that be in sport, education, arts, culture, or charity.
The Relay will kick off at 2.30pm when the Queen’s Baton will be welcomed to the west end of the Royal Victoria Dock, with an exclusive performance by English National Ballet’s ENBYouthCo, featuring local dancers and a new score by pianist Benjamin Kahn. The Baton will then go on a journey around the Royal Docks, passing City Hall where the Baton will start the water-leg of its tour with a flotilla of up to 25 boats including Thames Dragon Boat Club, London Youth Rowing and Globe Rowing Club.
Given the area’s extraordinary history and landscape and formidable community spirit, the Royal Docks is the perfect place to host the last leg of the Queen's Baton Relay in London.
Mayor of Newham, Rokhsana Fiaz
As the Baton finishes its journey across the water, it will head over to Royal Albert Wharf, to Bow Arts RAW Labs where resident artists will be hosting family friendly drawing, sculpting and puppeteering sessions together with music, food, drinks and festivities.
Following its appearance at Bow Arts RAW Labs, the Queen’s Baton will travel to Royal Victoria Gardens for ‘A Right Royal Knees Up’ – a free concert and Jubilee party from 3-8pm. Concluding its tour at the stage, local grime legend Ebenezer Ayerh (aka Slix) of Ruff Sqwad, will be the last person to carry the Baton at the Royal Docks. A Right Royal Knees Up features local young people from Ruff Sqwad Arts Foundation, musical performances from London based artists, DJ’s and community performers live on stage. In addition, there will be family friendly workshops, food and drinks from local market traders, and even an old-fashioned East-End pram race!
Mayor of Newham, Rokhsana Fiaz, commented: “I’m excited that the spotlight will be on our brilliant creative community here in the Royal Docks, during the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Central Weekend. Given the area’s extraordinary history and landscape and formidable community spirit, the Royal Docks is the perfect place to host the last leg of the Queen's Baton Relay in London. Young people and our creative community are at the heart of the area’s plans to become London’s cultural engine, so it’s fantastic that they will be taking centre stage as part of the Jubilee celebrations in London. Make sure you come and join the festivities!”
The Royal Docks has strong historical royal links, after being named after Queen Victoria, Prince Albert and their grandson George V. City Hall’s relocation to the area earlier this year also demonstrates the significance of Royal Docks within the wider London community.
Deputy Mayor of Culture and Creative Industries, Justine Simons commented: “A Right Royal Docks Jubilee” offers a terrific opportunity for families across East London to visit this fascinating area and to enjoy an incredible range of entertainment for all ages, absolutely free of charge. I am delighted that the Royal Docks celebrations are putting its community centre stage. People, heritage and diversity are the heart of London’s cultural riches, and our vibrant young people are key to its creative future. With the Queen’s Baton Relay touring the whole of the Royal Docks, I can’t think of a more enjoyable way to celebrate this historic occasion!”
The Queen’s Baton Relay is currently travelling across the Commonwealth, in an epic journey that sees the Queen’s Baton visit all 72 nations and territories. This summer, the Queen’s Baton Relay will return to the host nation for a tour of each region of England, starting on 2 June. The final leg of the Queen’s Baton Relay will give communities across England the chance to experience the buzz and excitement of Birmingham 2022, as the 11 days of showstopping sport get even closer.
The Royal Docks is one of the most significant regeneration projects in the UK. A joint initiative of the Mayor of London and the Mayor of Newham, the Royal Docks Team is a multidisciplinary team established in 2017 to help deliver the cohesive transformation of the Royal Docks into a vibrant, mixed-use destination with culture and community at its heart.
