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

Queen Elizabeth plays ‘We will rock you’ on a tea cup with Paddington for Jubilee party

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.

Key points

• Lilibet turns one
• Full schedule for platinum jubilee
• Prince George and Princess Charlotte make appearance in Wales with their parents
• Harry and Meghan will not attend jubilee concert at Buckingham Palace with senior royals
• Platinum Party at the Palace kicks off with surprise sketch of the Queen and Paddington Bear

[4 June 2022 20:39 · Maryam Zakir-Hussain]

Twitter loves the Queen x Paddington sketch

The Queen has suprised the nation with her acting skills in an adorable sketch Her Majesty did with none other than Paddington.

Twitter has shown their appreciation to the Queen for her dedication to the skit:

[4 June 2022 20:42 · Maryam Zakir-Hussain]

British rapper Craig David performs at Queen’s Jubilee concert

“Congratulations to Her Majesty the Queen for her 70 years of service,” he said.

He then performed his songs Ain’t Giving Up, Re-Rewind and Fill Me In.

Rapper and singer Craig David opened his set by congratulating the Queen.

[4 June 2022 20:45 · Maryam Zakir-Hussain]

Andrew Lloyd Webber welcomes a string of musical stars

Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber welcomes onstage a series of musical theatre stars.

He opens the act saying: “Your Majesty, your reign has outrun any theatre in history- an extraordinary achievement.”

[4 June 2022 20:50 · Maryam Zakir-Hussain]

Cast of Hamilton and Phantom of the Opera stun crowds

A sensational performance by the cast of Hamilton has been followed by a number from the Phantom of the Opera for the Queen’s Party at the Palace.

A performance from the Lion King cast is to follow.

[4 June 2022 20:54 · Maryam Zakir-Hussain]

Lion King steals the show

The cast of the Lion King steal the audience’s hearts as they sing along to the ‘Circle of Life’.

[4 June 2022 20:56 · Maryam Zakir-Hussain]

Jubilee concert: The Queen shows off ‘cute’ acting skills with Paddington skit for BBC concert

The Queen’s platinum jubilee concert, titled platinum Party at the Palace, kickstarted in heartwarming fashion.

As musicians including Alicia Keys and Georga Ezra prepared to perform at the BBC event, a pre-recorded segment was shown to viewers in which the Queen herself acted opposite Paddington Bear, voiced by Ben Whishsaw.

In a similar vein to the segment she filmed alongside Daniel Craig’s James Bond for the Olympic opening ceremony in 2012, this clip saw the Queen showcase her acting skills opposite the CGI character.

My colleague Jacob Stolworthy has more:

[4 June 2022 20:58 · Maryam Zakir-Hussain]

Jason Donovan sings Any Dream Will Do

Jason Donovan sings Any Dream Will do from Joseph and the Technicolour Dreamcoat for the Queen’s Jubilee party.

[4 June 2022 21:00 · Maryam Zakir-Hussain]

Jubilee concert: Lee Mack makes ad-libbed Boris Johnson Partygate joke during BBC ceremony

Lee Mack made a joke at the expense of Boris Johnson and the Conservative Party during the Queen’s platinum jubilee concert

The comedian graced the stage after Queen + Adam Lambert finished their opening performance.

“We are here right outside the gates of Buckingham Palace for the party of a lifetime,” he said, adding: “I’ll tell you what – finally we can say the words ‘party’ and ‘gate’ and it’s a positive.”

My colleague Jacob Stolworthy has more:

[4 June 2022 21:04 · Maryam Zakir-Hussain]

Lee Mack makes ad-libbed Boris Johnson Partygate joke during Jubilee concert

[4 June 2022 21:04 · Maryam Zakir-Hussain]

Royals enjoy the Party at the Palace

Here are some more photos of the Royal Family enjoying tonight’s celebrations.

(PA)

(POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

(Getty Images)