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As it happenedended

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

Furvah Shah,Kate Ng,Maryam Zakir-Hussain
Saturday 04 June 2022 18:03 EDT
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Queen Elizabeth plays ‘We will rock you’ on a tea cup with Paddington for Jubilee party

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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.

Animal rebellion protesters disrupt Trooping the Colour

Animal Rebellion protesters have attempted to disrupt the beginning of the Trooping the Colour procession on the Mall.

The group are urging for an immediate transition to a plant-based future and rewilding.

A protester wearing a crown was seen running out and then being dragged away by police.

Beau King Houston, amongst those taking action, said: “The royal family has had decades to lead the way on a just transition to plant-based farming and has failed to do so.

“This transition is common sense and simple, we all win. 76 per cent of currently farmed land could be rewilded and absorb carbon from the atmosphere.

“This would restore nature, spare billions of animals, and present a solution to the climate emergency, all in one act.” 

Tom Batchelor2 June 2022 10:27

Organisational chaos overshadows start of jubilee event

Organisational chaos has dogged the beginning of the Queen’s platinum jubilee celebrations with thousands of people blocked from seeing the Trooping of The Colour parade.

The Queen is due to pass down the Mall on Thursday morning as part of the ceremony. To mark her 70 years on the throne.But police and security have closed all access points to the route preventing thousands of people from getting a glimpse of the monarch.

In one incident at St George’s Steps, visitors momentarily feared being crushed when security staff forced close a gate as hundreds of people tried to get in.

The action was taken despite huge amounts of space appearing to be free on the pavements lining The Mall.

Staff at different entrances have repeatedly directed visitors to other entrance points - only for those to be closed as well.

One mother said she had walked two miles to St George’s Gate after being directed there from Green Park - only to be told to go back to Green Park.

“It’s outrageous,” said Mario Stavrou, a London hotelier who had come along to see the event. “What light does this show our city in? People have come here to experience this once-in-lifetime event - and they are being denied access with absolutely no help.”

Another visitor from Milton Keynes added: “I thought this was supposed to be a celebration for everyone. I wish I’d stayed home.”

Colin Drury2 June 2022 10:33

Royal Parks urges people to avoid St James Park

The Royal Parks has tweeted: “Crowds have flocked to St James’s Park for Trooping the Colour and public viewing areas are now at full capacity.

“Please do not head to St James’s Park but enjoy the Jubilee celebrations elsewhere.”

Tom Batchelor2 June 2022 10:40

Protesters booed by jubilee crowds as they're hauled away after interrupting parade

Protesters booed by jubilee crowds as they're hauled away after interrupting parade
Tom Batchelor2 June 2022 10:47

Met says ‘several’ arrests made

Several arrests have been made after some people attempted to enter the ceremonial route on The Mall before Trooping the Colour, the Metropolitan Police said.

We will bring you more updates on this as we get them.

Tom Batchelor2 June 2022 10:49

In their own words – how Britons celebrated the Queen’s coronation

It felt, for many, like the beginning of a new era, writes Colin Drury.

When the Queen ascended to the throne on 6 February 1952, it was widely portrayed as the start of a new dawn for Great Britain. In a country still scarred by the horrors of the Second World War, this 25-year-old monarch suggested a brighter future: the second Elizabethan Age.

Her official coronation 16 months later on 2 June 1953, was held in just this spirit.

Read on here:

Bunting, beer and Blanco: How Britons celebrated the Queen’s coronation

From lining Parliament Square as part of the procession to playing musical chairs at a street party, four people remember how they marked the start of this new era

Tom Batchelor2 June 2022 10:55

Members of the Royal Guard take part in the Trooping the Colour

Members of the Royal Guard take part in the Trooping the Colour parade at Buckingham Palace
Members of the Royal Guard take part in the Trooping the Colour parade at Buckingham Palace (REUTERS)
Police on The Mall shortly before the procession
Police on The Mall shortly before the procession (PA)
Tom Batchelor2 June 2022 10:56

Kate Middleton and Camilla join the celebrations

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s children have been spotted taking part in their first carriage procession as celebrations marking the Queen’s 70-year reign began.

Cheers went up from thousands of spectators in The Mall as they caught sight of Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis with proud parent Kate and the Duchess of Cornwall.

The traditional carriage procession left Buckingham Palace ahead of Trooping the Colour, also known as the Birthday Parade, that marked the start of four day of festivities honouring the Queen’s 70-year reign.

Kate and Camilla arrive for the celebrations
Kate and Camilla arrive for the celebrations (PA)
Sam Rkaina2 June 2022 11:02

Royal fans line The Mall

(AP)
(AP)
(AFP via Getty Images)
Tom Batchelor2 June 2022 11:06

Cambridge children take part in Trooping the Colour parade for first time

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s three children have joined the royal procession in the Trooping the Colour parade for the first time.

Prince George, eight, Princess Charlotte, seven, and Prince Louis, four, sat in the carriage with their mother, Kate Middleton, and the Duchess of Cornwall as they passed cheering crowds.

The procession marks the arrival of the royal family at the parade, kicking off the four-day celebrations for the Queen’s platinum jubilee.

Prince George with his mother and Camilla
Prince George with his mother and Camilla (PA)
Sam Rkaina2 June 2022 11:07

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