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.
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
Women fleeing abuse ‘have nothing to be ashamed of’, the Duchess of Cornwall says
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.
Read more about her visit in Canada:
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
Plan your supermarket shop ahead of platinum jubilee weekend
Here’s everything you need to know about what time supermarkets are open over the bank holiday weekend:
What are supermarket opening times on the platinum jubilee bank holiday?
The weekend to celebrate the Queen’s 70 years on the throne will take place from 2 to 5 June
Tesco is giving ‘everyday heroes’ £700 to celebrate Jubilee
Tesco has launched a limited edition Jubilee card in honour of the Queen’s 70th year on the throne.
The special card will offer recipients £700 to spend at Tesco, either in-store or online.
Olivia Petter reports:
Tesco is giving ‘everyday heroes’ £700 to celebrate Jubilee
Supermarket surprised one customer by bringing them a Corgi
That’s a wrap for today’s liveblog, come back tomorrow for more live updates on the Queen, the royal family and the upcoming platinum jubilee.
Good morning, and welcome back to The Independent’s liveblog following all the royal coverage leading up to the Queen’s platinum jubilee weekend.
Queen tours Chelsea Flower show in electric buggy
The Queen has made a surprise appearance at the Chelsea Flower Show in an electric buggy, delighting attendees as she toured the sprawling horticultural event while smiling from the mini vehicle.
In a statement to the BBC, Buckingham Palace said the royal’s attendance at the annual flower show came after “adjustments [had] been made for the Queen’s comfort”.
Chelsea Ritschel reports:
The Queen tours Chelsea Flower Show in a buggy
96-year-old monarch has attended annual flower show more than 50 times during her reign
How to throw a jubilee street party
Street parties are a traditional part of British celebrations, so why not throw one for the Queen’s platinum jubilee? Find out how to organise a royal bash below:
How to throw a jubilee street party
The Queen’s platinum jubilee will be marked with thousands of street parties across the country
Everything that happened at the Queen’s previous jubilees
Over her decades-long reign, Queen Elizabeth II has celebrated her Silver, Gold and Diamond Jubilees in spectacular fashion, with plenty of events, pageants and tours to celebrate.
Find out more about how the monarch celebrated each milestone below:
Everything that happened at the Queen’s Silver, Golden and Diamond Jubilees
Her Majesty has marked a number of significant milestones throughout her 70-year reign
What will pub opening hours on platinum jubilee weekend be like?
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.
Joanna Whitehead has put together this handy guide for your pub planning needs:
Queen reacts to the John Ystumllyn rose being planted at Chelsea Flower Show
Yesterday, the first rose named after a person from an ethnic minority background was planted at the RHS Chelsea Flower show.
Named after John Ystumllyn, who was one of the UK’s first Black gardeners in the 18th century, the yellow rose “represents the values of friendship and community”.
The Queen released a statement in response to the planting of the rose and said she was “pleased” about it.
Read her full statement below:
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