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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Your support makes all the difference.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.
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Prince Charles and Camilla arrive at London Guildhall reception
The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall have arrived at a reception at London’s Guildhall, however Harry and Meghan are not expected to attend.
The couple, who have come from the National Service of Thanksgiving at the nearby St Paul’s Cathedral, were greeted by the former lord mayor Sir David Wootton and Colonel Simon Duckworth.
They were followed by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
Guests at the reception include many of those who attended the religious service, including royals and senior politicians.
Video: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle leave Queen’s Platinum Jubilee thanksgiving service at St Paul's
Nicola Sturgeon praises the Queen who she ‘deeply respects'
Nicola Sturgeon has spoken of her “deep respect” for the Queen, saying her private conversations with the monarch are one of the privileges of being Scotland’s First Minister.
Ms Sturgeon said she wanted the Queen and her successors to remain as head of state if Scotland became independent.
In an interview with the BBC, the First Minister said even those who were not “great supporters” of the monarchy still thought of her as a “quite extraordinary individual”.
She said: “One of the things that I feel great respect for the Queen around is just that dedication, that selfless commitment to duty and to service.”
It is SNP policy for the Queen and her successors to remain head of state, she said.
Speaking about her conversations with the Queen, Ms Sturgeon said: “I like her a lot - I have deep respect for her as many people do.
“The context of those conversations are rightly by convention completely private and confidential and I won’t breach that.
“But I think it is fair to say that, that opportunity to talk with her, to benefit from her knowledge, her wisdom and perhaps above all the completely unique perspective she has on modern world history, is something that I deeply value and will always really treasure.”
Meghan and Harry shared a joke as they left service
Harry and Megan walked down the aisle of St Paul’s hand-in-hand after the service, joined by other members of the royal family and following Charles and Camilla and William and Kate.
The couple turned to talk to Lady Sarah Chatto, who had been sat next to Meghan, and her husband Daniel Chatto.
Senior clerics were again waiting to bid the congregation goodbye and the duchess shared a joke with the Archbishop of York and she touched Harry’s arm as he joined the conversation.
The trio erupted with laughter before the Sussexes moved on.
Five Guys photobombing the Jubilee has everyone craving burgers
A Five Guys restaurant, positioned across to road from the main entrance at St Paul’s Cathedral had people watching the Platinum Jubilee at home craving burgers for lunch.
As the likes of Prince William, Kate Middleton, Prince Harry, Meghan Markle and Boris Johnson made their way into the cathedral for the Service of Thanksgiving, which the Queen did not attend after experiencing ‘discomfort’ after Friday’s activities, television cameras couldn’t help but pick up the Five Guys restaurant where crowds had gathered outside.
Wrong for ‘lying’ PM to attend service, says spectator who booed
One spectator said he booed Boris Johnson before the thanksgiving service because he had been lying for the past five years and it was inappropriate for him to attend.
Frenchman Clement Jacqueman said: “What Boris has been doing with Brexit and Partygate and whatnot has an impact on every single citizen of this wonderful kingdom.”
He said he wished France still had a king, and that he was leaving the country because Mr Johnson was “a disgrace”.
Royal family members seated inside service
Prince Charles appeared weary in a photograph taken inside the thanksgiving service.
Those seen seated include the Duchess of Cambridge, the Duke of Cambridge, the Duchess of Cornwall, the Prince of Wales , the Earl of Wessex, the Countess of Wessex, Lady Louise Windsor, James, Viscount Severn, the Duke of Gloucester, and the Duchess of Gloucester, with the wider members of the Royal Family seated behind.
Funniest and most heart-warming moments
The Cambridges’ youngest child, Louis, covered his ears on the balcony of Buckingham Palace during the Royal Armed Forces flypast, while Kate Middleton paid subtle tribute to Princess Diana.
Meghan playfully shushed royal children, and the Army gave the Queen a hand-crafted walking stick. Saman Javed rounds up her favourite moments so far:
Funniest and most heart-warming moments from Queen’s platinum jubilee
From Prince Louis stealing the Queen’s limelight to Kate Middleton’s subtle tribute to Princess Diana
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