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 17:30 · Saman Javed]

That’s a wrap of our coverage today, join us again tomorrow for more updates on the Queen and the royal family.

[22 May 2022 08:45 · Saman Javed]

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.

[22 May 2022 08:50 · Saman Javed]

Prince Charles and Camilla to feature in EastEnders jubilee special

Royal couple Prince Charles and Camilla will guest star in an episode of EastEnders in honour of the Queen’s platinum jubilee.

The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall are set to feature on a special episode of the long-running soap, surprising the fictional residents of Albert Square at a street party.

The episode will air on 2 June, ahead of the Jubilee holiday weekend.

Louis Chilton has the details:

[22 May 2022 10:00 · Saman Javed]

One in three Britons think the Queen should retire

A third of Britons think that the Queen should retire and let her son, the Prince of Wales, take over after she missed a series of in-person events due to mobility issues.

A new YouGov survey revealed a distinct shift in public opinion about whether the Queen should remain as head of state for the rest of her life.

For the past two years since the polling began, more than half of Britons thought Her Majesty should continue her reign until she dies, while only a quarter thought she should retire.

The new survey, carried out for Times Radio, showed an increase in the number of people who think the monarch should withdraw from the throne (34 per cent), while less than half (49 per cent) think she should continue working.

Kate Ng has the full story here:

[22 May 2022 11:00 · Saman Javed]

Queen plans to visit Chelsea Flower Show, Buckingham Palace says

The Queen is hoping to make an appearance at the Chelsea Flower Show as the event returns on Tuesday 24 May, Buckingham Palace has said.

It is understood a decision will be taken on the day as to whether the 96-year-old monarch, who has mobility issues, will be able to go.

Among the displays at this year’s show will be The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Garden, which will feature laser-cut steel silhouettes of the monarch, surrounded by 70 planted terracotta pots, representing each year of her reign.

Read more here:

[22 May 2022 12:00 · Saman Javed]

What time will pubs open on the platinum jubilee weekend?

Keen to raise a late-night toast to her majesty over the jubilee weekend? Depending on which part of the UK you’re in, you may well be in luck.

Marking Queen Elizabeth II’s 70 years on the throne, the platinum jubilee celebrations are fast approaching, with Britons looking forward to a four-day weekend at the beginning of June to mark the occasion.

In England and Wales, opening hours for pubs and bars will be extended over the four-day bank holiday weekend. However, in Scotland, only those in Glasgow are being permitted to pour drinks later than usual.

Joanna Whitehead has the full story here:

[22 May 2022 13:00 · Saman Javed]

What is the Queen’s last name?

As the nation prepares to celebrate 70 years of the Queen’s reign, some royal admirers might be surprised to learn that they’re not entirely familiar with our monarch’s full name.

If you’re unsure what the Queen’s last name is, Joanna Whitehead has everything you need to know:

[22 May 2022 14:00 · Saman Javed]

Giant slide coming to Tower of London in celebration of platinum jubilee

The Tower of London will be surrounded by a “Superbloom” display of flowers featuring a giant slide in celebration of the Queen’s platinum jubilee this summer.

The Historical Royal Palaces has announced that this spring it will plant 20 million seeds in the Tower of London’s moat, with the aim of creating the appearance of a sea of flowers surrounding the landmark.

To add an element of fun, visitors to the attraction will be able to enter the moat via a large slide which was originally commissioned by the National Trust for use at Cliveden House.

Saman Javed has the full story here:

[22 May 2022 15:00 · Saman Javed]

Cookbook containing 70 recipes from around the world marks platinum jubilee

A royal cookbook containing 70 recipes from across the world has been released in celebration of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

The Platinum Jubilee Cookbook, released on 28 April, contains recipes from British embassies and high commissions.

It includes how to make Spanish marmalade from Madrid, and green fish curry from the Islamabad High Commission.

Saman Javed has the details:

[22 May 2022 16:00 · Saman Javed]

Tiktokers amused by blue and red ‘jubilee fish and chips'

A chip shop in Wales has gone viral on TikTok after posting its take on a special platinum jubilee fish and chips.

Crisp and Fry, a chain of chip shops in Llanelli and Ammanford, created the dish in the colours of the Union Jack flag by adding blue and red food colouring to batter.

But many on the social media platform found the colourful twist on a British classic too much to stomach.

“Immediately no,” one person declared, while another joked: “The police have been informed.”

A third warned the chip shop that “my therapist will hear about this”, and a fourth said: “Thanks, Queen’s crying now.”

Kate Ng has the full story here: