Jubilee - live: Platinum Party at the Palace begins with surprise sketch of the Queen and Paddington

The Queen has said she remains “committed to serving” the nation to “the best of my ability”, after she set the seal on her Platinum Jubilee celebrations by appearing on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.

The 96-year-old monarch was absent for much of the extended Bank Holiday weekend, after finding the first day enjoyable but tiring, and in a message of thanks acknowledged this but said her “heart” had been with well-wishers.

The Duchess of Cornwall, patron of the Big Lunch, estimated that up to 18 million people could have taken part in Jubilee street parties, and the Queen expressed her hope this “renewed sense of togetherness” would be felt for years to come.

After the outpouring of public affection during her balcony appearance, the Queen said she was “humbled and deeply touched” so many people had taken part in celebrations marking her 70-year reign.

Surrounded by her family, she was cheered by thousands of well-wishers after stepping on to the balcony following the Platinum Pageant, which told the story of her life, and the nation, with an eccentric, fun and imaginative carnival-like display.

Smiling as she acknowledged the spectators, she looked down on The Mall where tens of thousands had waited in hope of seeing her.

The Queen said later in her message: “When it comes to how to mark seventy years as your Queen, there is no guidebook to follow. It really is a first. But I have been humbled and deeply touched that so many people have taken to the streets to celebrate my Platinum Jubilee.

“While I may not have attended every event in person, my heart has been with you all; and I remain committed to serving you to the best of my ability, supported by my family.

“I have been inspired by the kindness, joy and kinship that has been so evident in recent days, and I hope this renewed sense of togetherness will be felt for many years to come.

“I thank you most sincerely for your good wishes and for the part you have all played in these happy celebrations.”

The Queen has made a statement to mark the end of her platinum jubilee weekend.

The 96-year-old monarch, who made a suprise appearance at Sunday’s platinum jubilee pageant, said that over her seven-decade reign there was “no guidebook to follow” and that she was “humbled and deeply touched” by the jubilee.

“When it comes to how to mark 70 years as your Queen, there is no guidebook to follow. It really is a first. But I have been humbled and deeply touched that so many people have taken to the streets to celebrate my Platinum Jubilee,” the statement released by Buckingham Palace read.

“While I may not have attended every event in person, my heart has been with you all; and I remain committed to serving you to the best of my ability, supported by my family.

“I have been inspired by the kindness, joy and kinship that has been so evident in recent days, and I hope this renewed sense of togetherness will be felt for many years to come.”

My colleague Laura Hampson has more:

Watch the best moments from the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee weekend here:

The Queen was joined by those high in the line of succession – Charles, William, George, Charlotte and Louis – along with Camilla and Kate.

The audience at the BBC’s Party at the Palace on Saturday evening enjoyed a pre-recorded segment in which the Queen herself acted opposite Paddington Bear, voiced by Ben Whishaw.

During the skit, the monarch finally revealed what she keeps in her signature black Launer handbag, and even played Queen’s “We Will Rock You” on a teacup.

Supermodel Kate Moss was one of the standout stars at Sunday’s platinum jubilee pageant just days after Johnny Depp won his defamation trial against Amber Heard.

Moss was a witness for the Depp team during the six-week trial, where she testified that Depp did not push her down a flight of stairs during their relationship in the nineties.

During the three-minute video appearance, the 48-year-old denied that Depp had ever “pushed her in that way”..

Read more below.

https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/fashion/kate-moss-platinum-pageant-johnny-depp-b2094467.html

George Northwood, hairdresser to the Duchess of Sussex, has lifted the lid on the personalities of Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor and Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were in London with their two children for the Queen’s platinum jubilee celebrations but are now thought to have departed.

Northwood posted a series of photographs of Meghan from Friday, when she and Prince Harry attended the special Service of Thanksgiving for the Queen at St Paul’s Cathedral.

Northwood wrote in the caption: “So nostalgic and wonderful to be reunited with HARRY, Meghan, and their family in the UK.”

He then described Archie, three, and Lilibet, who is celebrating her first birthday “privately” in Windsor with her parents and brother on Saturday 4 June.

“Archie has grown to be the cutest, well-mannered little boy,” he said, and added: “Lilibet is just beautiful.”

Read more below.

https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/royal-family/meghan-markle-harry-archie-lilibet-b2094029.html

BBC One’s musical extravaganza was an arbitrary mix of jolting cultural juxtapositions, writes Mark Beaumont. How could anyone look away?

The Duchess of Cambridge arrived at the Platinum Jubilee Pageant on Sunday wearing an elegant fuschia pink dress by Stella McCartney.

The design featured padded shoulders, ruching on one shoulder and puffed long sleeves.

Kate completed the look with simple gold and diamond earrings, natural makeup and her hair in loose curls.

Taking her place in the royal box, the duchess was joined by her three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, and her husband, the Duke of Cambridge.

Saman Javed has the full details here:

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have touched down in the US following their appearance at this weekend’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations to mark the Queen’s 70-year reign.

Pictures have emerged of Prince Harry being transported from the airport in California in the passenger seat of a black Range Rover.

The couple were largely absent from the festivities over the four-day weekend, but appeared at the Queen’s Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral on Friday, their first public appearance in the UK since stepping down as senior royals in 2020.

On Saturday, Harry and Meghan hosted a “relaxed” party to celebrate their daughter Lilibet’s first birthday, which is believed to have been attended by the young royal’s British cousins.

Joanna Whitehead has the details here: