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
What is the Queen’s last name?
As many people reflect on the Queen’s historic 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 laid it out here:
What is the Queen’s last name?
The Queen shares some similarities with other members of the Royal Family
How to make the lemon trifle crowned platinum pudding for Queen’s jubilee
A lemon and amaretti Swiss roll trifle is the official pudding of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
The dessert, created by Jemma Melvin, a copywriter from Southport, Merseyside, was inspired by the lemon posset served at the Queen’s 1947 wedding to Prince Philip.
Keen to make your own Jubilee pudding? Joanna Whitehead has detailed Melvin’s recipe in full:
How to make the lemon trifle crowned Platinum Pudding for the Queen’s Jubilee
Baking for queen and country
Platinum Jubilee: What events are scheduled to take place and when is it?
The Platinum Jubilee celebrations will take place over four days. They will include the monarch’s birthday parade, Trooping the Colour, a Service of Thanksgiving and a Jubilee pageant.
See the full schedule here:
What events are scheduled during the Platinum Jubilee bank holiday?
A special extended bank holiday weekend will mark the Queen’s 70 years on the throne
70 facts about the Queen
The Queen is the longest-reigning monarch in British history, having spent 70 years on the throne.
From her first trip on the London Underground to details from her wedding to Prince Philip, here are some things you might not know about Her Majesty:
70 facts about the Queen to mark her Platinum Jubilee
Her Majesty is celebrating her seven-decade reign this year
Preparations are underway
A photograph shared to the Royal Family’s official Twitter shows preparations underway at Buckingham Palace ahead of the Platinum Jubilee weekend.
Spectator stands have been erected around The Victoria Memorial and railings have also been put in place.
Tune in to our liveblog again tomorrow
That’s a wrap of our coverage today! Check back in tomorrow for more news and live updates about the Queen’s upcoming platinum jubilee celebrations.
Good morning and welcome to The Independent’s liveblog covering news of the Queen and the wider royal family in the lead-up to the platinum jubilee.
Kate Middleton helped up red carpet steps by Tom Cruise at Top Gun premiere
Prince William and Kate Middleton dazzled on the red carpet at the UK premiere of Top Gun: Maverick last night.
On Thursday, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrived at Leicester Square in London ahead of the film screening, with the duchess opting for an off-the-shoulder black and white gown by Roland Mouret for the occasion.
The Duchess wore her hair in a sleek straight style, and accessorised with a black clutch and dangling star statement earrings.
Chelsea Ritschel has the full story here:
Kate Middleton helped up steps by Tom Cruise at Top Gun premiere
Duchess of Cambridge wore Roland Mouret gown for film premiere
Camilla presented with stress ball made from beaver fur in Canada
On the last day of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall’s tour of Canada, Camilla laughed when she was presented with a fluffy gift in Yellowknife, Canada, and was told it was a stress ball made of beaver fur.
“Everybody needs a stress ball,” Camilla said.
Jane Dragon, 81, handmade the ball for the Duchess, explaining: “It’s from sheared beaver.”
Read the full report here:
Camilla given ball made from beaver fur in Canada: ‘Everybody needs a stress ball’
The royal tour of the North American country concluded late on Thursday
Prince Charles dances during traditional drum show in Canada
Charles busted some moves as he took part in 1,000-year-old traditional Dene Drum Dance in Yellowknife, the capital of Canada’s Northwest Territories.
The Prince of Wales spoke to Chief Edward Sangris and Chief Fred Sangris in private about issues affecting indigenous people on his trip to see the Yellowknives Dene First Nation Leadership at the Chief Drygeese Government Building in Detta.
Read the full story here:
Prince Charles dances during traditional drum show in Canada
One member of the community said the 73-year-old ‘really looked like he enjoyed himself’
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