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

[21 May 2022 09:01 · Laura Hampson]

What events will the Queen attend at the platinum jubilee?

With the jubilee weekend now less than two weeks away, Her Majesty is expected to attend a total of three events across the weekend.

However, earlier this month Buckingham Palace released a statement saying that the Queen’s attendance at these events wasn’t likely to be confirmed until the day-of.

Joanna Whitehead has the run-down on which events the Queen will be attending here:

[21 May 2022 09:55 · Saman Javed]

Eight towns win city status to mark platinum jubilee

A record-breaking eight towns across the UK have been awarded city status in celebration of the monarch’s platinum jubilee.

The new cities are among the areas in the UK that “make Britain great”, chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Steve Barclay said.

Those that triumphed in a competition to recieve civic honours include Colchester, Britain’s first recorded settlement, and Milton Keynes, a town formally established in 1967.

The towns of Dunfermline in Scotland and Wrexham in Wales were also successful.

Emily Atkinson has the full list of newly-crowned cities here:

[21 May 2022 10:23 · Laura Hampson]

What will pub opening hours be like on the platinum jubilee weekend?

An extra bank holiday date tied with a royal jubilee means it’s a cause for celebration, so will pub opening hours be extended?

Joanna Whitehead has the answer here:

[21 May 2022 11:15 · Laura Hampson]

7 things you may not know about Princess Anne

Although the royal family is a typically tight-lipped and genteel organisation, Princess Anne is known for her quick wit and dry humour, coming out with quips such as: “When I appear in public people expect me to neigh, grind my teeth, paw the ground and swish my tail – none of which is easy.”

The Princess Royal has had numerous remarkable experiences throughout her life. Here are seven you may not be aware of:

[21 May 2022 12:00 · Saman Javed]

Everything the Queen eats in a day, according to royal chefs

With a team of world-class chefs, access to the best food that money can buy, and dining rooms at palaces across the UK, you would have thought meal times are always prestigious in the Windsor household.

But as the Queen’s former chef, Darren McGrady, discloses in his book, Eating Royally: Recipes and Remembrances from a Palace Kitchen, the monarch prefers to eat only small portions.

However, she does indulge in a daily afternoon tea, where scones with clotted cream and jam are a must.

Sophie Gallagher has the details on Her Majesty’s dining preferences here:

[21 May 2022 13:04 · Saman Javed]

When was the Queen’s coronation?

As the country gears up to celebrate 70 years of the Queen’s reign – the first time in British history that a monarch has reached this milestone – many people are reflecting on the Queen’s years of service.

The Queen was just 27-year-old when she ascended the throne in 1953.

Joanna Whitehead has the details here:

[21 May 2022 14:00 · Saman Javed]

Where will Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stay during the platinum jubilee weekend?

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have confirmed they will attend the Queen’s platinum jubilee celebrations along with their children, Archie and Lilibet.

Last week, Buckingham Palace announced that the family will not appear on the balcony of Buckingham Palace during the Trooping the Colour ceremony, as the Queen has restricted the line-up to working members of the Royal Family.

According to reports, the Sussexes will stay in their old home, Frogmore Cottage, during their time in the UK.

Chelsea Ritschel has the full story here:

[21 May 2022 15:04 · Saman Javed]

Which platinum jubilee events will the Queen attend?

Four days of celebrations are scheduled to honour the monarch, including a platinum jubilee concert, Trooping the Colour, a pageant and a Service of Thanksgiving.

However, the question of whether the 96-year-old will be fit to attend all the events is still up for debate due to episodic mobility issues suffered by the Queen since the autumn.

In early May, a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said that the Queen’s attendance at the platinum jubilee celebrations may not be confirmed “until the day itself”.

Despite this, the monarch is currently expected to attend the Trooping the Colour ceremony on Thursday 2 June, a Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral on Friday 3 June, and the Epsom Derby on Saturday 4 June.

Joanna Whitehead has detailed everything we know so far:

[21 May 2022 16:04 · Saman Javed]

Everything we know about the platinum jubilee schedule

The Queen’s historic milestone will be celebrated in a number of events and initiatives taking place across the UK during the long weekend.

These will include public events and community activities, as well as national moments of reflection on the Queen’s 70 years of service.

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) said that more than 70,000 “Big Jubilee Lunches” have been planned across all four UK nations, with an expected 10 million people set to celebrate with their neighbours during the weekend.

Kate Ng has the full schedule of celebrations taking place across the weekend:

[21 May 2022 17:05 · Saman Javed]

How to take part in platinum jubilee beacon

The platinum jubilee beacons are one of the official events of the jubilee celebration, running across the extended bank holiday.

More than 2,022 beacons will be lit throughout the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and British Overseas Territories, including one in each of the capital cities of Commonwealth countries, in recognition of the Queen’s service.

There are hundreds of existing events that have already been scheduled across the UK. To find one near you, simply search for platinum jubilee beacons events in your area.

Joanna Whitehead has the details here: