Prince William and Kate were joined by Prince George and Princess Charlotte as they brought the Platinum Jubilee celebrations to Wales today while visiting concert rehearsals at Cardiff Castle.
Together with George, age eight and Charlotte, age seven, the Duke and Duchess visited performers and crew who were part of a Platinum Jubilee Celebration Concert held within the castle grounds.
William and Kate encouraged their shy children to meet dignitaries when they arrived at the Welsh capital. The visit is said to mark George and Charlotte’s inaugural official royal visit.
Missing was Prince Louis who stole the show when he appeared on Buckingham Palace’s balcony with his family and the Queen after the Trooping the Colour ceremony on Thursday.
They will be accompanied by their children to see rehearsals, and get to meet the performers taking part in the festivities. Bonnie received an MBE from the Queen’s Birthday Honours last week for her contributions to music.
The Royals will meet Owain Wyn, a weatherman who is well-known for his work on The One Show and North West Tonight. They will be introduced to several West End performers including Rubicon Dance Company, Wales Youth Choir for Good and others.
It is part of several activities the royals are holding across the UK for the Jubilee. The Cambridges were in Cardiff while Prince Edward and Sophie Wessex visited Northern Ireland.
Harry and Meghan will, however, be missing today’s Jubilee celebrations because they are celebrating Lilibet’s first birthday at Windsor.
Omid Scobie says they will celebrate their birthday together as a whole family. Through their social media profiles, the Queen, Prince Charles, Camilla and The Cambridges all sent Lilibet happy birthday wishes.
Later, William and his father Prince Charles will take centre stage in front of a crowd of 22,000 to pay tribute to the Queen during a star-studded Jubilee concert outside Buckingham Palace.
Both the future kings, the father of the son and the daughter of the future monarch will address the audience in honor of the monarch at the conclusion of the open-air Party at the Palace broadcast by the BBC on the third day of the four days of Jubilee festivities.
The event didn’t start until 8pm but royal supporters began arriving on The Mall at 8am in order to grab the best spot.
Although it is unlikely that the Queen will be attending the concert, confirmation will come later today. The Queen will not be attending today’s Epsom Derby Day. However, she is likely to stay on the television, following the events from Windsor. In her place, Princess Anne will be there.
Meanwhile, Princess Beatrice was pictured with her husband Edoardo leaving Maison Estelle’s private member club at 1am on last night.
William and Kate are here with Prince George (eight) and Princess Charlotte (7), ahead of an appearance to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee
William and Kate encouraged the shy children of their family to introduce themselves and to each other to dignitaries upon arrival in Cardiff.
Prince William, Kate and Prince Charles leave the National Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral.
The National Service of Thanksgiving is held at St Paul’s Cathedral by Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex.
The Mall will host the Platinum Jubilee Celebrations, where Revellers are invited to the concerts outside Buckingham Palace.
Prince Edward, Earl and Countess Of Wessex, attend the Platinum Jubilee Celebration in Belfast today
Sophie, Countess from Wessex greets her well wishesers when she arrives in Belfast for the Platinum Jubilee celebrations
Northern Ireland’s Queen’s Platinum Jubilee is being celebrated by the Earl and Countessss Of Wessex. The Royal couple will visit Belfast first, and then join the citizens at the 1950s themed celebration on Royal Avenue.
Sam Ryder, British Eurovision Star from Britain, rehearses outside Buckingham Palace in preparation for the BBC’s Party at the Palace Concert
Artist impression of the Buckingham Palace stage for the Platinum Party. This event will air live on BBC One in celebration of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
Prince Beatrice and Edoardo took their husband to Maison Estelle, a private club for members.
They were pictured leaving the Maison Estelle private member’s club at 1am last night
The Queen may be being assisted by royals to get some rest so she can attend the closing Platinum Jubilee Pageant on Sunday (Image: Queen, on Thursday).
Prince Harry is smiling as he returned to Frogmore Cottage, Windsor after attending St Paul’s Cathedral’s Easter service.
As they gather at The Mall in preparation for a performance outside Buckingham Palace, Union Jack flag-wrapped people pose
One person is seen holding a Union Jack umbrella while others gather at The Mall to watch the performance outside Buckingham Palace.
The Mall hosts people in anticipation of an evening concert at Buckingham Palace for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
Met Office warns of thunder, downpours and lightning this morning. However, the second round of thunderstorms will not affect Party at Palace concert-goers.
Thursday’s appearance by the Queen on the Buckingham Palace balcony was a great success.
After experiencing some discomfort during the first day, she couldn’t attend Friday’s service of thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral.
The monarch also had some time to spend with Lilibet and Archie, their children from the US.
The Queen’s personal highlight during four days of Jubilee celebrations was the Saturday Derby.
A passionate horse breeder and owner, the head of state was to be welcomed on the course by a guard of honor that included up to 40 past and current jockeys.
In the evening today, the BBC’s Party at the Palace – set on three stages in front of Buckingham Palace – will entertain a live crowd of 22,000 people and a television audience of millions.
Among the celebrities who will perform are Queen + Adam Lambert and Diana Ross. Hans Zimmer, George Ezra and Eurovision 2022 runner up Sam Ryder.
The Victoria Memorial is located at the top end of The Mall. Three stages connected to each other have been constructed. This design includes 70 illuminated columns for each year that the Queen reigned.
Following discomfort after two Thursday night balcony visits and one beacon lighting, the Queen of England, aged 96, with ongoing mobility issues, pulled out from attending Friday’s thanksgiving service at St Paul’s Cathedral.
Nearly 50 members the royal family, including the Duke of Sussex and Duchess Sussex joined together to honor the absence of the head state during the religious occasion.
According to the Duchess, although the Queen was happy with Thursday’s celebrations, it had been exhausting.
Saturday marks the birthday of Harry’s first child, Lilibet. She traveled with her older brother Archie and the Sussexes to celebrate Lilibet’s first trip to the UK.
To celebrate Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, the Earl and Countess Of Wessex will be visiting Northern Ireland.
First, they’ll visit Belfast. There, the Royal couple and members of public will attend a 50s themed celebration at Royal Avenue.
They are currently meeting with groups of musicians, including the Belfast Busking Band. The countess and earl will listen to stories about the diverse community over the past 70 years. These stories will then be shared through fashion, music, and dance.
He will be accompanied by older residents of the area, who have been brought together through Age Friendly Belfast for sharing their stories and memories.
In the meantime, the countess can join the special platinum jubilee crafts activities with schoolchildren, making corgis, crowns, and other items, before seeing a display of fashion throughout the ages.
They will try the local delight, the Belfast Bap.
The countess and earl will see a local dance troupe perform before they leave Belfast.
On Saturday, the royal couple will travel to their second engagement.
The Mall will host the four-day platinum celebrations, which sees revellers arriving to the venue.
People gather in The Mall to see a woman wearing a plastic Crown as they wait for a Buckingham Palace concert.
The Mall will allow Revellers to bring their tents for this evening’s concerts outside Buckingham Palace.
In the evening today, the BBC’s Party at the Palace – set on three stages in front of Buckingham Palace – will entertain a live crowd of 22,000 people and a television audience of millions
Party at the Palace will take place on three stages located in front of the London residence. The two-and-a half hour show will be closed by soul legend Ross’s first UK performance in fifteen years.
As they prioritize Sunday’s finale pageant at Buckingham Palace, Royal aides may be adopting a “bookend” approach to celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. (Photo taken at Buckingham Palace Thursday, starting from left: Prince Charles and Camilla; Prince Louis, Prince Charles and the Queen. Princess Anne, Camilla. Prince George, Prince William. Sophie, Countess. Wessex.
Three stages will host the Party at the Palace in front Queen Elizabeth’s London home.
Ross, the soul legend will conclude the show after a two-and-a half hour performance. This is her first UK live performance for 15 years.
Stars including Emma Raducanu and David Beckham as well as Stephen Fry as Sir David Attenborough.
It will be a celebration of global themes and contributions made by the British and Commonwealth to the areas of fashion, sports, environment, pop music and other fields during the reigns.
In a private meeting held at Windsor, the Queen finally met Lilibet, her great-granddaughter.
It is believed that Harry and Meghan took their children to Windsor Castle to see their great-grandmother soon after they arrived in the UK, given the Queen’s current mobility problems, although this has not yet been officially confirmed.
The Queen’s childhood nickname, Lilibet, was the inspiration for Lilibet being named Lilibet. This name was created when Princess Elizabeth, then a toddler, struggled with her pronunciation of her own name.
According to George VI, the Queen’s father, he said of his daughters that Lilibet was his pride. Margaret is my joy.
This nickname was used also by Prince Philip, the late husband of the monarch, and close friends.
Many people saw at the time that the Sussexes named their child after Queen Elizabeth II to emphasize their connections with the Royal Family, especially as they set up lucrative commercial agreements as part of their independence in America.
Buckingham Palace was also involved in an argument about whether or not the Queen had been consulted in advance.
BBC reports that Sussexes hadn’t asked permission for the use of their name, and none was granted.
Prince Harry is seen hugging Archie as Meghan takes Lilibet to the air while Meghan holds Archie.
On Friday, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex attended the Service of Thanksgiving in St Paul’s Cathedral, London. The Queen was not present.
However, a spokesperson for the couple stated that Lilibet’s great grandmother was informed ahead of time and that the royals would have rejected the use of the name.
The spokesman said: ‘The duke spoke with his family in advance of the announcement – in fact, his grandmother was the first family member he called.
He shared his hopes that their daughter Lilibet would be named in Lilibet’s honour during the conversation. She would have been more supportive if they had not chosen to use the name.
Harry threatened to sue the broadcaster and claimed that his claims were false and defamatory.
Some royal sources have shrewdly stated that asking permission is different than presenting it as a fait accompli.
In the meantime, palace aides had choreographed the timings of Friday’s Platinum Jubilee Service at St Paul’s Cathedral to make sure that Prince William (and Kate Middleton) didn’t meet Prince Harry or Meghan Markle.
This was Harry’s and Meghan’s first engagement with senior royals after the cold Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey, March 2020. It came shortly before their official retirement as senior royals to live in the United States.
After royal aides made sure they were on their own sides, Camilla, Prince William and Kate sat separately in church. This was the couple’s first public engagement for two years.
To ensure Prince William and Kate Middleton did not bump into Prince Harry or Meghan Markle, Palace staffers choreographed the times for Friday’s Platinum Jubilee celebration at St Paul’s Cathedral.
The Sussexes were separated from Prince William, Kate Prince Charles, Prince Charles, and Camilla for their first public engagement after two years. Royal aides had made arrangements to ensure they sat separately and left in a well-planned plan.
Palace staff also considered timings and the arrangements of the seats in the cathedral. The couple arrived and left the service at various times so that they wouldn’t bump into one another.
Harry and William have had a long-standing feud, while Harry has accused his father Charles of cutting him off financially and Meghan claimed an unnamed royal made a comment about Archie’s skin tone before he was born – with the Sussexes having a war of words with the Palace following last year’s bombshell Oprah Winfrey interview.
According to a source, palace aides knew about ‘the optics” and made sure that the couple attended only events in which they would have minimal interaction with the public.
When asked if they would attend any other events this weekend with their children, the source replied: “I wouldn’t expect them to be at every event.”
It was a typical elegant solution, as you might expect. They are part of the Queen’s family and she wants them there. It will be done so in a controlled way.
Omid Scobie from BBC Breakfast said elsewhere that people close by the couple said they wanted to keep the trip as quiet as possible. However, an insider to the Royals said they felt the couple was taking their cues from the Queen.
Palace plans to prepare Queen for Sunday’s Jubilee celebration finale. Royal aides have taken a bookend approach to the four-day festivities in hopes of getting monarch on Sunday’s show-stopper pageant.
MAILONLINE – BY LAURENCE DOLIMORE
Royal aides are said to be taking a ‘bookend’ approach to the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations as they prioritise getting the monarch on the Buckingham Palace balcony for Sunday’s show-stopping finale pageant.
It comes after the 96-year-old head of state was forced to pull out of two key events after suffering ‘discomfort’ related to her mobility issues – Friday’s thanksgiving service at St Paul’s Cathedral and today’s Epsom Derby.
The Queen has been forced to cancel a string of engagements in recent months and most recently missed the State Opening of Parliament in May. Her son, Prince Charles, and grandson, Prince William, stood in for her.
A senior royal source told the Daily Mail that while the Queen enjoyed the opening day of festivities ‘immensely’, the ‘episodic mobility issues’ she had suffered since last autumn ‘were experienced during the course of the day’.
Royal aides stressed that it had always been Her Majesty’s ‘hope’ to attend rather than a firm commitment.
Buckingham Palace said it will confirm whether she will attend other events over the next two days as soon as possible.
It is thought royal aides may be trying to help her rest to ensure she will be able to make an appearance at Sunday’s closing Platinum Jubilee Pageant.
‘It seems the palace are taking a ‘book-end’ approach, allowing her to attend at the start and finish without taxing her too much in between,’ a source said.
It is thought royal aides may be trying to help the Queen rest to ensure she will be able to make an appearance at Sunday’s closing Platinum Jubilee Pageant. (Pictured: Queen on balcony on Thursday)
According to reports, Royal aides have adopted a bookend approach to Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Celebrations. They prioritize getting the monarch onto the Buckingham Palace balcony in time for Sunday’s spectacular finale pageant. (The following are photographed at Buckingham Palace: Prince Charles and Camilla; Vice Admiral Timothy Laurence; Princess Anne; Camilla; Prince Louis, Prince Charles of Cambridge, Prince Louise, Prince William and Princess Charlotte.
Buckingham Palace has announced that the Queen won’t be attending Saturday’s Epsom Derby. This announcement was made after Her Majesty had to withdraw from Friday’s Service of Thanksgiving held at St Paul’s Cathedral
Head of State is an avid horse breeder, owner and trainer and would be thrilled to have her horse racing on Saturday at her Platinum Jubilee celebrations. Above: Hukum ridden by Jim Crowley wins the Dahlbury Coronation Cup on Ladies Day during the Cazoo Derby Festival 2022 at Epsom Racecourse today
After Her Majesty’s forced withdrawal from the Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral today, Buckingham Palace stated that her discomfort following yesterday’s appearances made by Buckingham Palace. Above: Yesterday’s flypast of Her Majesty
The Queen approaches the Commonwealth Nations Globe to start the lighting ceremony at Windsor Castle on Thursday evening, despite suffering from ‘discomfort’
Bright white light rushed along the Quadrangle toward Windsor’s Round Tower as the sovereign placed her finger onto the globe.
Here Her Majesty is seen reviewing the mounted troops of the Royal Windsor Horse Show. She has an enduring love for horses
On Thursday, it was discovered that Covid had been found in the Duke and Duchess of York. This means that he will not attend any Jubilee events.
The Duchess and Duke of Cambridge said Friday that Queen Elizabeth had had a wonderful time opening Platinum Jubilee Celebrations but found it tiring.
On Thursday, Her Majesty was able to make three unforgettable public appearances, including lighting the Principal Platinum Jubilee Beacon ceremony in Windsor Castle. However, she had some discomfort.
She was particularly proud to attend the Epsom Derby, which had been hailed as one of the highlights of the weekend.
She has won it only once in her entire career as a racehorse owners.
Jockey Club has spent many months planning for her participation, including her being able to drive her car right up to the course and stop outside Queen Elizabeth’s stand.
On Friday, Buckingham Palace said that she would not be attending and instead will watch the race at Windsor Castle.
Now, Princess Anne will likely be representing her mother at Epsom. She is expected to be accompanied her family.
There will not be any other royals there, as they will either be performing engagements for the Queen or preparing to perform at Saturday’s Party at the Palace.
Phil White is the London region director of The Jockey Club. He said, “It’s a rare occasion when the Queen cannot join us at Epsom. But we are thrilled she will enjoy Derby Day via television.
“We have huge plans to commemorate Her Majesty’s contributions to horseracing, the nation and will continue these efforts in full.”
Many of Willie Carson’s ex-jockeys will form a guard of honor in the Queen’s racing silks.
Over 2,000 people attended the service at St Paul’s on Friday, some of them politicians and senior royals.
Harry and Meghan Markle were kept apart from Prince William, Kate, Prince Charles and Camilla, with royal aides ensuring they sat on the other side of the aisle – and they later left separately.
The reception at the Guildhall was immediately followed by Charles, Camilla and William.
According to some reports, the Duchess of Cambridge told someone that she was fine with the Queen’s performance but found it tiring.
Bolton resident Gill Smallwood spoke to Kate, asking how she was doing.
Ms. Smallwood described the conversation as follows: “She [Kate]”Yes, she was fine. It was very tiring yesterday and she (the queen) had enjoyed a wonderful, beautiful time.”
Buckingham Palace officials were careful to not repeat the frosty scenes in which the Sussexes or Cambridges sat next to each other at the last of their joint events at Westminster Abbey, March 2020.
Aides would be delighted to see that the service today went without incident, or any negative “optics” given all the efforts made to make today about Queen Elizabeth and her 70-year reign.
As Prince Louis, the London Flypast pilot over Buckingham Palace on Thursday afternoon smiles at her
On Friday, the Duke and Duke of Sussex were at St Paul’s Cathedral with the Duchess and Duchess (left), and at the Guildhall (right).
On Friday, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex attended the Service of Thanksgiving in St Paul’s Cathedral in London. The Queen was not present.
Prince Harry and Meghan are in attendance at a Service of Thanksgiving to Queen Elizabeth II
After landing at St Paul’s Cathedral, Friday, Prince Charles speaks with Camilla and the Duke & Duchess.
An announcement that Her Majesty will not attend the Epsom Derby shows the increasing problems caused by age.
Her spokesman said that she had ‘episodic movement problems’, which she continued to have, and she missed the State Opening of Parliament in May.
She missed this very important event only once before, in 1959 and 1963 when she was pregnant with Prince Andrew (and Prince Edward) respectively.
Prince Charles was there to read the speech in her place. Prince William was also present. The Queen viewed the proceedings from Windsor Castle. However, the symbolically empty Sovereign’s Trone at the House of Lords remained.
This was after she missed the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey in March due to physical difficulties and didn’t attend the Maundy Thursday service at Windsor Castle.
After the death of Prince Philip last April, Queen Elizabeth’s health began to decline.
After having worked for ten days in the preceding 20 days, she was forced to spend a night in hospital and miss her visit to Northern Ireland.
She was back to work within hours after being discharged, even though she had cancelled a appearance at Cop26 in Glasgow.
After testing positive for Covid-19, in February she had to cancel all engagements. Her symptoms were described as mild and cold-like.
Doctors told the Queen that she should rest for three consecutive months after using a walkingstick in recent weeks.
When she commented on her health during a Windsor Castle audience in February, it was clear that she couldn’t move.
She admitted later that she was exhausted by covid.
After her sole runner pulled out of the race, Her Majesty has already lost all hope of winning Epsom Derby Day.
Just Fine was entered in the World Pool Northern Dancer Handicap to be featured on the final race. This was staged over the Derby course, covering one mile and four furlongs.
It was however removed during Thursday’s 48 hour declaration stage.
Her horse Reach For The Moon was withdrawn in May. He had been one of the favorite horses.
Jockey Club reported that the Jockey Club had removed the entry list from a lot of thoroughbreds.
Owned by Queen Elizabeth, Thoroughbreds have won four of the five most prestigious flat racing classics – The 1,000 Guineas, 2,000 Guineas, Oaks, St Leger, and the Oaks – while the Derby has escaped her.
Phil White is the London region director of The Jockey Club. He said, today: “We wish Her Majesty The King a beautiful Platinum Jubilee.
It is rare for the Queen to be able to attend Epsom Downs. However, we are happy she has plans to watch Derby Day from television.
“We are making big plans to commemorate Her Majesty’s contributions to horseracing, the nation and other activities. These will be continued tomorrow.
“The Derby is an exceptional race, and we look forward to welcoming thousands of people to create a carnival atmosphere.”