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

[22 May 2022 17:00 · Saman Javed]

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:

[22 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.

[23 May 2022 08:32 · Kate Ng]

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.

[23 May 2022 08:33 · Kate Ng]

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:

[23 May 2022 09:30 · Kate Ng]

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:

[23 May 2022 10:30 · Kate Ng]

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.

[23 May 2022 11:13 · Kate Ng]

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:

[23 May 2022 12:00 · Kate Ng]

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:

[23 May 2022 13:00 · Kate Ng]

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:

[23 May 2022 14:00 · Kate Ng]

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: