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
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
Join The Independent’s Platinum Jubilee panel event this Thursday
Join former BBC Royal Correspondent Jennie Bond to reflect on the Queen’s 70 incredible years on the throne at a Platinum Jubilee panel event run by The Independent on Thursday 17 May at 6.30pm.
The broadcaster and journalist will be joined by The Independent’s Associate Editor Sean O’Grady, Deputy Voices Editor Sunny Hundal and hosted by Deputy Lifestyle Editor Laura Hampson to explore the highs and lows of Her Majesty’s seven decades on the throne.
Find out more below:
Jennie Bond to look back at the Queen’s 70 years on the throne
When was the Queen’s coronation?
It’s been 70 years since the Queen ascended the throne, but just 69 since she was coronated.
So why did it take just over a year between the Queen becoming the head of the royal family and her coronation occuring, and what did she wear to her coronation?
Joanna Whitehead has all of the answers here:
What are the platinum jubilee beacons?
To mark the Queen’s historic milestone, platinum jubilee beacons will be lit across the UK and in Commonwealth nations.
Joanna Whitehead explains what the beacons represent and how you can take part:
What are the platinum jubilee beacons and how can I take part?
How old was the Queen when she became the Queen?
The Queen’s platinum jubilee will mark her 70th year on the throne, the longest of any British monarch.
But when did Her Majesty take on the Crown? Joanna Whitehead explains:
Untraditional artwork of the Queen to go on display for platinum jubilee
Over 50 cutting-edge portraits of the Queen by urban, graffiti and contemporary artists are going on show to mark her Platinum Jubilee.
Her majesty has been hailed a “true icon” and a “cultural inspiration” by creatives as diverse as musician and graffiti artist Goldie and X-ray artists Ernesto Romano.
Find out more about the exhibition below:
Queen shown with sunglasses and tattoos in Jubilee exhibition
Barbie doll made in honour of the Queen sold out in three seconds
A Barbie doll created in the likeness of Queen Elizabeth II to mark her platinum jubilee sold out in three seconds - and the dolls are now being sold for hundreds of pounds on eBay to avid royal collectors.
Kate Ng reports:
Barbie Queen made in honour of Platinum Jubilee sells out in three seconds
When is the Platinum Jubilee?
In case you’ve forgotten already, here are the details on when the platinum jubilee is:
When is the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee?
Tune in to our liveblog again tomorrow
That’s a wrap of our coverage today! Check back in tomorrow for more news and live updates about the Queen’s upcoming platinum jubilee celebrations.
Good morning, and welcome to The Independent’s liveblog following the latest news about the Queen and the royal family ahead of the upcoming platinum jubilee.
Charles and Camilla celebrate Canada’s culture during tour of country
Prince Charles and Camilla are currently on a three-day tour of Canada in honour of the Queen’s platinum jubilee.
On Wednesday, the royal couple celebrated the culture, crafts and people of Canada by pouring themselves pints of beer made from icebergs that were thousands of years old.
Read about their trip so far below:
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