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.
Queen receives standing ovation at Platinum Jubilee show as the nation salutes her 70 years of service
What’s on the schedule for the platinum jubilee today?
Queen Elizabeth II: What does it mean to be both a human and a national symbol?
What time does the Platinum Jubilee concert start and how can I watch it? 
The longer the Queen lives, the higher the stakes rise on one key question
Commemorate the Queen’s platinum jubilee with some regal merchandise
Ahead of the platinum jubilee celebrations in June, many among us will be commemorating the occasion with memorabilia and merchandise.
Outside the naff mugs and fridge magnets found in royal tourist shops, there’s a wealth of lovely merch to mark the occasion – from silk scarves and picnic cool bags to fun prints, tea towels and even a Barbie immortalisation.
Here’s our pick of the best bits of memorabilia to shop ahead of the jubilee:
Commemorate the Queen’s platinum jubilee with some regal merchandise
Commemorate the Queen’s platinum jubilee and shop merchandise ahead of the bank holiday weekend, from Fortnum & Mason, M&S, Amazon and more
That’s a wrap of our coverage today, join us again tomorrow for more updates on the Queen and the royal family.
Good morning, and welcome to The Independent’s liveblog following the latest updates on the Queen in the lead-up to the Platinum Jubilee celebrations from 2 to 5 June.
Chelsea Flower Show to mark platinum jubilee with floral portrait of the Queen
The Chelsea Flower Show will return to London this week, with special displays to mark the Queen’s platinum jubilee.
The annual event, which opens to the public on Tuesday 24 May, will include a floral sculptural portrait of the monarch in the official platinum jubilee shade of purple.
My colleague Saman Javed has the details:
Chelsea Flower Show to mark platinum jubilee with floral portrait of the Queen
The exhibition includes lily of the valley – a plant which featured in the monarch’s coronation bouquet
Charles will make a ‘fine king’, Jennie Bond says
Royal correspondent Jennie Bond believes that Prince Charles will make a “fine king”, she said during a recent event hosted by The Independent.
When asked about Charles as King, Bond said: “Knowing Charles a little bit as I have over the years, I’ve always maintained actually, that I think he has the makings of being a very fine King.
“He’s a decent person you know, he made an absolute mess of his first marriage and his private life, of which a lot of us have done that. It took a long, long time for the public to forgive him.”
Our Deputy Lifestyle Editor Laura Hampson reports:
Jennie Bond: ‘Charles will make a fine King’
Bond added that the Prince of Wales will make a forward-thinking monarch, during a virtual event hosted by deputy lifestyle editor, Laura Hampson
Prince William’s 40th birthday to be marked with his portrait on £5 coin
The Duke of Cambridge’s 40th birthday will be celebrated with a £5 coin featuring his portrait, the Royal Mint said.
The UK’s official coin producer has unveiled the coin ahead of William’s milestone birthday on 21 June.
Prince William’s 40th birthday to be marked with his portrait on £5 coin
It is the first time the Duke of Cambridge, who is second in line to the throne, will appear alone on an official coin struck by the Royal Mint
Tube strike threatened for day after Jubilee weekend
A tube strike has been proposed for 6 June, the day when most commuters will return to work after the Jubilee bank holiday weekend.
The 24-hour walkout, called by union RMT, could see the capital grind to a halt, affecting 4,000 London Underground staff.
Our Travel Editor Helen Coffey reports:
Tube strike threatened for day after Jubilee weekend
Twenty-four walkout could cripple entire network
Queen won’t receive Trooping the Colour salute for first time in 70 years
For the first time in her seven-decade reign, the Queen will not take salute during the Trooping the Colour parade.
Historically, the Queen has taken the salute to her personal troops, the Household Division on Horse Guards Parade.
This year, Prince Charles, Prince William and Princess Anne will take the salute instead and will ride on the parade as colonels of the Welsh Guards, the Irish Guards and the Blues and Royals.
Read the full story:
Queen won’t receive Trooping the Colour salute for first time in 70 years
Senior members of the royal family will take salute instead
Everything you need to know about the Platinum Jubilee Pageant
The Platinum Jubilee Pageant is taking place on the last of the special four-day bank holiday weekend to celebrate the Queen’s historic milestone.
Find out when the event is taking place and which special performers will be there:
When is the Platinum Jubilee Pageant and who is performing?
The pageant will be the last big event planned during the special four-day bank holiday weekend
How you can take part in the platinum jubilee beacons
Platinum jubilee beacons are an international recognition of the Queen’s service, and will be lit across the UK and the Commonwealth during the bank holiday weekend.
Here’s how you can get involved:
What are the platinum jubilee beacons and how can I take part?
More than 2,000 beacons will be lit to honour the Queen’s 70-year reign
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