oyals fans from across the world have begun to arrive at Buckingham Palace ahead of the concert on Saturday night.
Some have queued since the early hours of Saturday morning in order to catch a glimpse of the blockbuster concert, which will include names such as Duran Duran, George Ezra, Nile Rodgers, Queen + Adam Lamabert and a recorded performance from Elton John.
Princes Charles and William will also attend the Platinum Party at the Palace on Saturday evening to end the third day of the Jubilee weekend.
Celebrities such as, Stephen Fry and Sir David Attenborough will also attend the event which will mark the end of the third day of the Jubilee weekend.
Earlier in the day William and Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge met the performers and crew involved in the Platinum Jubilee Celebration Concert taking place on the grounds of Cardiff Castle.
The Earl and Countess of Wessex also travelled to Northern Ireland where they attended a 1950s-themed celebration, before then heading to Bangor which has received city status.
Due to mobility issues, the 96-year-old monarch was forced to miss the Epsom Derby on Saturday and also missed the St Paul’s Thanksgiving Service on Friday, after suffering “some disomfort” after Thursday’s events.
In her place, Princess Anne attended the Epsom Derby and was seen grinning with delight as she took in the prestigious occasion.
Queen Elizabeth II The Early Years
Live updates
Playing for the Queen ‘surreal’ says George Ezra
Speaing to Sky News, George Ezra said it would be “surreal” to play at the concert.
“If I weren’t playing today, what would I be doing? I would be back home with the people I love raising a glass,” he added.
Nile Rodgers posts rehearsal video ahead of Jubilee performance
Animal Rebellion claims six of its members ran on to Epsom track
Protesters are removed from the track on Derby Day
/ PAAnimal rights campaign group Animal Rebellion claimed six of its members ran on to the track ahead of the Epsom Derby.
On Thursday, members of the same group were arrested after they entered the ceremonial route on The Mall before Trooping the Colour.
The group said the protest was aimed at making “a definitive statement, and act, against the cruelty and harm the horseracing industry represents”.
It describes itself as a “mass movement using nonviolent civil disobedience to call for a just, sustainable plant-based food system”.
Sam Ryder hails “strength” of Queen
Eurovision star Sam Ryder has said the manner in which the Queen carries herself “reminds us that strength can be gentle” ahead of performing at the Platinum Party at the Palace.
Ryder, who came runner-up in the recent Eurovision song contest while representing the UK, is among the star-studded line-up who will entertain a live crowd of 22,000 people and a television audience of millions this evening.
Speaking backstage about the monarch’s 70 years on the throne, Ryder said he feels it is “so selfless to give your entire life to that service”.
He added: “How many of us could say that we could do that. It’s breathtaking. The way that she carries herself, it reminds us that strength can be gentle.
“I think that’s so important, to me all the time. To carry yourself in a way where you’re bringing so many people together in unity and solidarity but doing it with such a subtly kindness.”
The singer revealed that he got the call to do the Jubilee concert while on the bus home from Eurovision last month, which left him feeling like he was “overflowing with joy”.
Duchess of Cambridge visited children’s hospital in central London on Friday evening
The Duchess of Cambridge visited a children’s hospital in central London on Friday night to meet those who were not able to celebrate the Jubilee.
The Evelina Children’s Hospital wrote on Twitter: “We received a very special surprise last night! Our Patron, HRH The Duchess of Cambridge, dropped in for a private visit to meet our patients, families and staff unable to join in the celebrations this weekend.”
A masked Kate was pictured next to the bed of a young child, who had tubes attached to their face.
Kate became a patron of the Evelina London in 2018.
It is part of Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and treats children with complex and rare conditions from birth into adulthood.
Crowd arriving before the start of the Platinum Party
Couple tell of excitement ahead of Platinum Party
There were large queues of people waiting to get into the Platinum Party. One couple there several hours ahead of the event was David Hitchins and his wife from Guildford, Surrey.
Mr Hitchins, a contractor, said: “I was gifted two tickets after I raised over £25,000 for the NHS.
“We’re so excited to be here and I’m very proud of what I’ve achieved.”
Also waiting was Shane, 32, originally from Austin, Texas, who has been living in London for nearly four-and-a-half years.
He said being here and living in London over the Queen’s Jubilee is a “once-in-a-lifetime” experience.
He said: “Being from America this is something totally different – we would never get this. It feels like a country-wide holiday and to have such a sense of community in such a big place, it’s just incredible to embrace this moment.”
William and Kate meet with public in Cardiff
William, Kate, Prince George and Princess Charlotte meet with the public in Cardiff
Sam Ryder poses backstage ahead of Platinum Party performance
Contents
- 1 Queen Elizabeth II The Early Years
- 2 Childhood trip
- 3 Growing up
- 4 Royal Family
- 5 Coronation
- 6 Marking history
- 7 Theatre fan
- 8 Dog lover
- 9 Learning the ropes
- 10 War effort
- 11 A simpler times
- 12 Royal Wedding
- 13 Happy couple
- 14 Future King?
- 15 Happy families
- 16 Balmoral
- 16.1 Live updates
- 16.2 Playing for the Queen ‘surreal’ says George Ezra
- 16.3 Nile Rodgers posts rehearsal video ahead of Jubilee performance
- 16.4 Animal Rebellion claims six of its members ran on to Epsom track
- 16.5 Sam Ryder hails “strength” of Queen
- 16.6 Duchess of Cambridge visited children’s hospital in central London on Friday evening
- 16.7 Crowd arriving before the start of the Platinum Party
- 16.8 Rod Stewart shares rehearsal video from Buckingham Palace ahead of Jubilee performance
- 16.9 Couple tell of excitement ahead of Platinum Party
- 16.10 William and Kate meet with public in Cardiff
- 16.11 Sam Ryder poses backstage ahead of Platinum Party performance