Jubilee - live: Platinum Party at the Palace begins with surprise sketch of the Queen and Paddington
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their two eldest children arrive at Cardiff Castle
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The Platinum Party of the Palace has begun with a surprise pre-recorded sketch featuring the Queen and Paddington bear.
Kicking off the performances is Queen + Adam Lambert with a rousing renditon of “We Will Rock You” - with the Queen joining in via teacup.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will miss the BBC’s Platinum Party at the Palace concert on Saturday evening, as they celebrate their daughter Lilibet’s first birthday “privately” in Windsor.
Other royal family members are attendance of the star-studded performance include the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall, and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. The Earl and Countess of Wessex and their children, Lady Louise Windsor and Viscount Severn, the Princess Royal, and others will also be there.
Amongst this weekend’s celebrations, the Queen did not attend the Epsom Derby today after also missing the platinum jubilee thanksgiving service at St Paul’s Cathedral on Friday.
Buckingham Palace confirmed that her Majesty watched the major sporting event on television at Windsor Castle, after experiencing “discomfort” following a busy first day of festivities on Thursday.
Will and Kate arrive in Cardiff
Prince William and Kate Middleton have arrived in Cardiff, Wales ahead of a platinum jubilee concert at Cardiff Castle.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are joined by children Prince George, eight, and Princess Charlotte, seven, and will meet the performers and crew involved in the special performance taking place in the castle grounds on Saturday afternoon.
The couple and their children are set to watch the show’s rehearsals and meet some of the performers, including Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler.
Bonnie was made an MBE last week as a part of the Queen’s Birthday Honours for her services to music.
The visit is one many made by the royal household across the United Kingdom to mark the Queen’s platinum jubilee.
Princess Anne arrives at Epsom Derby
The Princess Royal has arrived for Epsom Derby Day with her family, while the Queen watches the horse racing from home.
It was announced on Friday that the Queen would not attend the major sporting event today, opting instead to view it on television from Windsor Castle, where she has been sent a souvenir race card to follow the action.
Princess Anne, alongside her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, arrived at the sold-out racecourse in Surrey just before 1pm as part of a procession, which included her children Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall, who was with her husband, former rugby player Mike.
Crowds cheered and waved union flags as they made their way in to the course, with Anne seen smiling.
Jubilee celebrations took place in the Queen’s absence, with 40 jockeys who have ridden for the owner-breeder donning the royal racing silks and forming a guard of honour before the national anthem was sung.
Five of the monarch’s former racehorses were also paraded, and a selection of hats inspired by the seven decades of her reign have been displayed.
PA
Prince George and Princess Charlotte make appearance in Wales with their parents
Prince William and Kate Middleton and their children, eight-year-old Prince George and seven-year-old Princess Charlotte, have arrived at Cardiff Castle to meet the performers and crew involved in the special Platinum Jubilee Celebration Concert taking place in the castle grounds on Saturday afternoon.
The couple and their children are due to watch rehearsals and meet some of the acts taking part in the celebrations including Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler.
Read the full report below:
Prince George and Princess Charlotte join parents in Wales ahead of Jubilee show
A concert celebrating the Queen’s 70-year reign will be staged in the grounds of Cardiff Castle
Corgis gather on Elizabeth Line for platinum jubilee
There has been a corgi gathering on the new Elizabeth Line to celebrate the Queen’s platinum jubilee.
Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, tweeted a photograph showing at least eight corgis being held up by their owners on a staircase and said: “Corg’ blimey! We’re Jubilee ready on the Elizabeth line.”
Past and present jockeys who rode Queen’s horses dress in her colours
The Queen’s current and former jockeys have worn matching uniforms in Her Majesty’s colours at the Epsom Derby.
The guard of honour, comprised of 40 retired and current jockeys, were set to greet the Queen at the race, but the monarch was unable to attend due to her mobility issues.
The group included Willie Carson, who rode Dunfermline, the Queen’s Oaks winner, in 1977, as well as John Reid, Frankie Dettori, Ryan Moore and Hayley Turner, who were all dressed in the purple and gold silks.
The official Twitter account for the Epsom Downs Racecourse tweeted a video of the jockeys gathered together today and described it as “unreal”.
Kate Middleton makes fashion statement in bright red coat at Cardiff Castle
The Duchess of Cambridge has turned heads in yet another brightly coloured ensemble during the platinum jubilee celebrations.
It’s not the first ensemble of the weekend that has delighted royal fans.
Olivia Petter reports on the details of Kate Middleton’s outfit:
Kate Middleton wears bright red coat at Cardiff Castle
Trip marked Cambridge children’s first visit to Wales
This is the full lineup for Platinum Party at the Palace
The BBC’s Platinum Party at the Palace on Saturday night promises to be a star-studded affair.
The official Twitter account for the royal family has released the full line-up for this evening’s concert:
Earl and Countess of Wessex visit Northern Ireland for jubilee
The Earl and Countess of Wessex have visited Northern Ireland to celebrate the Queen’s platinum jubilee.
The couple first visited Belfast, where they joined members of the public at a 1950s-themed celebration on Royal Avenue in the city.
They met groups of performers, including the Belfast Busking Band, and heard stories of the city’s diverse communities over the last 70 years, which is explored through fashion, photography, music and dance.
Prince Edward, the youngest child of Queen Elizabeth II, also met older members of the local community, brought together by Age Friendly Belfast to share their memories and experiences.
Meanwhile, Sophie joined in with special platinum jubilee craft activities, making crowns and corgis with school children, before viewing a showcase of fashion through the ages.
The couple also tried a local delicacy, the Belfast Bap, and visited stalls at the retro jubilee market. They also watched a community dance group perform a routine that celebrates the last seven decades.
The royal couple then headed off to their second engagement of the day and travelled to Bangor, Co Down.
On the beachfront of Bangor, which has newly been awarded city status, the Earl and Countess of Wessex joined members of the public to celebrate the Queen’s platinum jubilee at a vintage, seaside funfair.
Having viewed vehicles from the last 70 years, The Earl visited a 1950s pop-up diner, where he had was able to try his hand at pulling a pint of Guinness.
PA
Princess Eugenie reveals new tattoo at service of thanksgiving
Princess Eugenie has revealed that she has a new tattoo.
The inking came to light in photographs taken at the service of thanksgiving held on Friday at St Paul’s Cathedral as part of the platinum jubilee celebrations.
Olivia Petter reports:
Princess Eugenie reveals new tattoo at service of thanksgiving
Princess debuted new inking behind her ear
Princess Charlotte playfully attempts to conduct orchestra in Wales
Fans of Princess Charlotte have been delighted by her playful attempt at conducting an orchestra while on a visit to Cardiff Castle in Wales.
Watch the sweet video below:
Princess Charlotte playfully attempts to conduct orchestra in Wales
The Cambridges’ children make their first official visit to Wales for the platinum jubilee
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