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.
Milton Keynes and Doncaster among eight new cities to mark Queen’s platinum jubilee
A record-breaking eight places across the UK and beyond have been awarded city status to mark the Queen’s platinum jubilee.
The new cities that triumphed in a competition to receive civic honours range from Colchester, Britain’s first recorded settlement, to Milton Keynes, a town formally established in 1967.
Emily Atkinson has the full report:
Milton Keynes and Doncaster among eight new cities to mark platinum jubilee
‘I am thrilled that we are able to recognise some of many places that make Britain great’
Camilla says women fleeing abuse ‘have nothing to be ashamed of’ in refuge visit
The Duchess of Cornwall has said women fleeing domestic abuse “have nothing to be ashamed of” as she visited a refuge in Canada.
Camilla was visiting a YWCA transitional housing centre in Yellowknife, the capital of the Northwest Territories, which can house up to 18 victims of violence and their children.
The Duchess told staff at the facility: “How lucky they are to have you here for them. It has been hidden for so long, people never talked about it. But now it is alright to talk about it. There is nothing to be ashamed of.”
Read more here:
Camilla says women fleeing abuse ‘have nothing to be ashamed of’
The royal was visiting a YWCA transitional housing centre in Yellowknife, the capital of the Northwest Territories
Kate wears Roland Mouret dress at premiere
The Duchess of Cambridge went for a sleek, monochromatic look with her outfit choice at Thursday evening’s premiere for Top Gun: Maverick, which she attended alongside her husband, the Duke of Cambridge, and the film’s lead actor, Tom Cruise.
For the occasion, Kate chose to wear a fitted, off-shoulder black and white gown by Roland Mouret that went down to her ankles.
She chose to wear her hair loose and accessorised the look with minimal jewellery, opting for just a simple pair of drop earrings and no necklace.
Olivia Petter reports:
Kate Middleton dazzles in Roland Mouret dress at Top Gun premiere
Duchess chose monochromatic look for screening of long-awaited film
Prince Harry and Meghan ‘filming at-home documentary series for Netflix'
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are reportedly filming an “at-home” documentary series with Netflix.
Film crews have been given permission to film Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at their home in Montecito, California, and followed them on their trip to New York City last September.
Saman Javed has the full story here:
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle ‘filming at-home documentary series for Netflix’
The Sussexes have a number of projects in the works with the streaming platform
Jennie Bond: ‘Charles will make a fine King’
Jennie Bond has said that Prince Charles will “make a fine King” during an exclusive event hosted by The Independent on Thursday evening.
Bond was joined by Independent journalists Sean O’Grady and Sunny Hundal to discuss the Queen’s upcoming platinum jubilee, her 70-year reign, and what the future of the monarchy might look like.
You can watch the full discussion, hosted by Laura Hampson, here:
Jennie Bond: ‘Charles will make a fine King’
Bond added that the Prince of Wales will make a forward-thinking monarch, during an exclusive virtual event hosted by deputy lifestyle editor, Laura Hampson
New TfL map released featuring Elizabeth Line
The latest tube map has been revealed by Transport for London (TfL), featuring the soon-to-launch Elizabeth Line.
The map of London’s underground network looks busier than ever, with the Elizabeth Line - part of the Crossrail project - sketched out in purple.
The Elizabeth Line is set to launch on Tuesday, 24 May, some 41 months later than originally planned.
Deputy Travel Editor Lucy Thackray has the full report here:
New TFL tube map released featuring Elizabeth Line
Some were surprised to see the part-overground line on the iconic Underground map
Why Kate Middleton can’t vote
Kate Middleton is forbidden from going to the ballot box. After Kate entered the royal family, she could no longer express her political views in public, and must always remain politically impartial in interviews and at events.
According to the official royal website this is “convention” rather than law. “By convention, The Queen does not vote or stand for election, however, Her Majesty does have important ceremonial and formal roles in relation to the government of the UK.”
Here are all the other things the Duchess cannot do:
Kate Middleton can’t vote, and other everyday things she’s not allowed to do
The Duchess of Cambridge has a dress code, is not allowed a social media account and may find it difficult to eat pasta for dinner at the palace
This is the Queen’s favourite alcoholic drink
Darren McGrady, who previously worked as a personal chef for Queen Elizabeth II for over a decade, and later served Princess Diana and her two sons, William and Harry, once divulged everything that the Queen eats in a day.
Sharing a series of videos on YouTube, the former royal chef explained that during his time working for the monarch between 1982 and 1993, the Queen enjoyed four small meals a day, and always took afternoon tea - even when they were on the Royal Yacht Britannia on a tour of Australia.
Find out what the Queen’s favourite tipple is here:
The Queen’s favourite alcoholic drinks, according to former royal chef
Former royal chef Darren McGrady recently revealed everything that the Queen eats in a day
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 rolling coverage of the Queen and the royal family in the lead-up to the platinum jubilee.
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