Glorious Four days of Celebrating Queen’s historic Platinum Jubilee
Queen Elizabeth delighted crowd as she appeared on the balcony of Buckingham Palace in London on Sunday as the celebrations rounds off with performance by Ed sheeran. (05.06.22)
Ed Sheeran sang emotional rendition of his hit song ‘Perfect’ to round off the Platinum Jubilee Pageant.
Ed Sheeran performed ‘perfect’ in honor of the Queen and her late husband Prince Philip to round off four glorious days of celebrating the longest reigning monarch in British history.
Platinum Jubilee Concert: Prince Charles pays tribute to the Queen’s ‘lifetime of selfless service’
Speaking on Saturday (04.06.22) the third day of a four day celebration to mark the Queen’s platinum jubilee at the BBC’s Platinum Party at the Buckingham Palace, Prince Charles began his address “Your Majesty, Mummy”.
Thanking the Queen for a “lifetime of selfless service”, he told her during the televised concert: “You continue to make history.”
Referencing her absence from the celebrations, after she was said to have experienced “some discomfort” during trooping the colour on Thursday, he said: “We might have been celebrating that Derby winner this evening … next year perhaps?”
“But,” he added addressing the audience, “I know what really gets my mother up in the morning is all of you – watching at home. Represented here tonight in this great audience.”
The late Prince Philip, the Queen’s “strength and stay”, he said was “much missed this evening but I am sure he is here in spirit … My Papa would have enjoyed the show and joined us wholeheartedly in celebrating all you continue to do for your country and your people.”
“Your Majesty, you have been with us in our difficult times. And you bring us together to celebrate moments of pride, joy and happiness,” he added.
“You have met us and talked with us. You laugh and cry with us and, most importantly, you have been there for us, for these 70 years. You pledged to serve your whole life, you continue to deliver. That is why we are here.”
He spoke to a background of projections, understood to have been selected by Charles himself, of the Queen from historic moments – including Nelson Mandela’s state visit in 1996 and shaking hands with Martin McGuinness, the former deputy first minister of Northern Ireland in 2012.
Earlier in the night, Prince William called for urgent action to save the planet.
He paid tribute to his father and grandfather’s environmental work, broadcaster David Attenborough, environmentalists Rachel Carson, Wangari Maathai and Sunita Narain and “an amazing and united generation of young people across the world”.
Platinum Jubilee: (03.06.22) Images from Service of Thanksgiving at St. Paul’s Cathedral
The Queen was well represented by members of the royal family, friends, dignitaries and well-wishers present at the St. Paul’s Cathedral for the thanksgiving service.
‘I continue to be inspired by the goodwill shown to me’: Queen’s message of appreciation
The Queen has thanked the nation on the eve of her historic Platinum Jubilee celebrations, saying she continues to be inspired by the goodwill shown to her.
In a special message released as millions across the country prepare to gather in her honour during four days of tributes and street parties, the Queen said “many happy memories” would be formed during the festivities.
The nation’s longest reigning monarch, 96, said she hoped the Jubilee weekend would provide an opportunity to reflect on the achievements of the last 70 years.
And she spoke of looking to the future with “confidence and enthusiasm”.
The message comes at the start of the extended bank holiday weekend, with millions across the UK and Commonwealth joining together in celebration of the Queen and her 70-year-reign.
The Queen said: “Thank you to everyone who has been involved in convening communities, families, neighbours and friends to mark my Platinum Jubilee, in the United Kingdom and across the Commonwealth.
“I know that many happy memories will be created at these festive occasions.
“I continue to be inspired by the goodwill shown to me, and hope that the coming days will provide an opportunity to reflect on all that has been achieved during the last seventy years, as we look to the future with confidence and enthusiasm.”
The Queen’s official Platinum Jubilee portrait was unveiled along with her message, showing the monarch, looking contented and happy, photographed in her Windsor Castle home.
She is pictured sitting on a cushioned window seat, with the historic residence’s famous Round Tower visible in the distance.
With her hands resting on her lap and her hair curled in its familiar style, the Queen is dressed in a dusky dove blue Angela Kelly coat.
The shiny pearl and diamante scalloped beading, embroidered around the collar and front trim, is perhaps seemingly a nod to her historic Platinum anniversary.
The extended weekend begins with the traditional Trooping the Colour military spectacle on Thursday (02.06.22), involving more than 1,500 officers and soldiers and 350 horses from the Household Division.
THE SOVEREIGN: World leaders pay tribute to ‘unwavering’ Queen on Platinum Jubilee
World leaders have paid tribute to the Queen on her historic Platinum Jubilee as a “golden thread” binding the UK with its allies.
French President Emmanuel Macron, US President Joe Biden and the UK’s own Prime Minister Boris Johnson are among those to have sent congratulations to the “unwavering” monarch, who is celebrating 70 years on the throne over a special extended bank holiday weekend.
PRESIDENT MACRON MESSAGE TO THE QUEEN ON OCCASION OF HER PLATINUM JUBILEE
Mr Macron told the 96-year-old sovereign of the “deep affection and admiration” that the French people hold for her.
In a video message to mark the jubilee celebrations, he said that while times may have changed, the Queen’s devotion to the alliance between Britain and France has not faltered.
Mr Macron said: “During the past 70 years, the President of the French Republic has relied on very few constants at the international level.
“Times have changed, Europe has evolved, our continent is again experiencing war.
“Through these transformations, your devotion to our alliance and to our friendship has remained, and has helped build the trust that brought freedom and prosperity to our continent.”
The French president described the Queen as the “golden thread that binds our two countries” and “the proof of the unwavering friendship between our nations”.
He added: “This year, the 70th of your reign, we celebrate your achievements. We are grateful for your courage and we share the respect and love that British people and Commonwealth have always shown you.”
PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN AND FIRST LADY JILL BIDEN CONGRATULATES THE QUEEN
The president said she had inspired people with her “selfless devotion and service” to the UK and the Commonwealth for 70 years.
“Throughout your reign, the relationship between the United Kingdom and the United States has grown stronger and closer than ever,” he said.
Mrs Biden said the joy the monarch had brought the American people through her visits to the US, together with the solidarity she had shown in times of tragedy, had “deepened the friendship and profound connection between our countries”.
“Joe and I were so touched by the generosity and welcome you showed to us when we visited you at Windsor Castle last year, during our first visit overseas as president and first lady,” she said.
AUSTRALIA’S NEW PRIME MINISTER, ANTHONY ALBANESE SAID:
“the sovereign had been a “reassuring constant”, and shared pictures of a beacon lit in her honour.
He tweeted: “This week marks the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. In her seven decades on the throne, the Queen has been a reassuring constant, projecting calm and strength.
“Tonight, along with 53 other nations, we light a beacon to give thanks to Her Majesty and send our warmest congratulations.”
VIVAT REGINA ELIZABETHA!- PRIME MINISTER BORIS JOHNSON’S TRIBUTE TO THE QUEEN
“Congratulations to Her Majesty The Queen on your remarkable Platinum Jubilee.
“The whole country, Commonwealth and world thank you for your unwavering duty and service.
“Vivat Regina Elizabetha! God Save The Queen!”
POPE FRANCIS IN HIS MESSAGE TO THE QUEEN ON THE OCCASION OF HER PLATINUM JUBILEE SAID:
“cordial greetings and good wishes” in a telegram to the sovereign.
He said: “On this joyful occasion of your Majesty’s birthday, and as you celebrate this Platinum Jubilee year, I send cordial greetings and good wishes, together with the renewed assurance of my prayers that Almighty God will bestow upon you, the members of the Royal Family and all the people of the nation blessings of unity, prosperity and peace.”
US SECRETARY OF STATE ANTHONY BLINKEN HONORS THE QUEEN, HIS MESSAGE:
“On behalf of the United States of America, I congratulate Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the people of the United Kingdom on the occasion of Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee and official birthday.”
“Her Majesty’s unprecedented 70 years of service to the United Kingdom is an inspiration to Americans, who deeply admire the Queen and are grateful for her decades of friendship with the United States.”
“Through our special relationship, common history, and shared values, we work together to uphold democracy, human rights, and the rule of law worldwide. Our countries collaborate closely on virtually every significant challenge and opportunity the world over precisely because we have no closer partner.”
“The United States joins the British people in celebrating this historic and joyous occasion. I send my heartfelt wishes for peace, prosperity, and good health to Her Majesty and all the people across the United Kingdom,” Blinken concluded.
Great Britain: Trooping the colour preceeds activities celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee (02.06.22)
The Queen has made her first balcony appearance of her Platinum Jubilee celebrations, to take a salute of her soldiers returning from Trooping the Colour.
As the Guardsmen and officers passed by the head of state, the monarch watched them parade as thousands lined The Mall after witnessing the pomp and pageantry of the ceremony attend by the royal family.
The Jubilee Queen, head of the Armed Forces, carefully inspected the military from up high as she stood with her cousin, the Duke of Kent, Colonel of the Scots Guards.
Dressed in a dusky dove blue Angela Kelly coat which she wore for her official portrait, and matching hat, the 96-year-old Queen was holding a walking stick and wearing the Guards’ Badge on her coat.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were among the guests who watched Trooping the Colour at Horse Guards, although they have yet to be publicly pictured.
They joined a host of royals including the Duchess of Cambridge and Duchess of Cornwall in the Duke of Wellington’s former office the parade ground.
It is believed to be the first time Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex have met in person since the Sussexes left in 2020 for a new life in America.
The crowds were earlier treated to the sight of Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis with proud parent Kate and their step-grandmother Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall in a carriage procession.
As the spectators waved at the young royals the trio waved back in their first major public outing for a Jubilee.
The monarch deputised her usual role to future king, Charles the Prince of Wales, who inspected the Guardsmen in their scarlet tunics and bearskins and acknowledging their salute.
But she passed a watchful eye over the servicemen, with the Duke of Kent by her side, after their return from their display of procession marching.
The nation is embracing the special extended bank holiday weekend of pomp, pageantry and star-studded festivities, which will see celebrities and the public gather in their millions in tribute to the monarch.
Thousands of wellwishers draped in Union flags, party hats and plastic tiaras flocked to central London for the spectacle.
Queen Elizabeth: Platinum Jubilee celebration to commence across Great Britain (02.06.22)
The Queen’s four day Platinum Jubilee celebrations will begin today (02.06.22) with the pomp and pageantry of the “Trooping the Colour” ceremony.
After 70 years of service for the country and Commonwealth, thousands of well-wishers will take to the streets over the extended bank holiday weekend to mark the monarch’s milestone.
The once in a lifetime event will see members of the monarchy, celebrities from the UK and across the globe, and people from all parts of the UK gather to recognise the Queen’s legacy.
Princess Eugenie has already paid a moving personal tribute to her “grannie” the Queen in a magazine article.
She hoped her one year old son August would grow to have the Queen’s “patience, her calmness and her kindness while always being able to laugh at himself and keep a twinkle in his eye”.
Trooping the Colour will begin the festivities and see the Prince of Wales deputise for the Queen, taking the salute and inspecting the troops, as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex join the Duchess of Cambridge and other royals to watch the spectacle.
After the ceremony, the Queen will acknowledge the salute of the returning Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment from Buckingham Palace’s balcony before she later joins working royals on the balcony to watch the traditional fly-past of aircraft.
In the evening, more than 3,000 beacons will be lit across the UK and the Commonwealth in tribute to the Queen, who will lead the lighting of the principal Jubilee beacon in a special ceremony at Windsor Castle that evening.
The armed forces will pay an unusual tribute to the Queen, firing a double gun salute to mark the Platinum Jubilee and the 69th anniversary of the Queen’s coronation in 1953.
The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery, named by the monarch’s father King George VI, 75 years ago this year, will fire an 82-gun salute from Hyde Park beginning just before 1pm.
While 124 volleys will be fired from the Tower of London by the Honourable Artillery Company , an extra 42 for the City of London , from the stroke of one o’clock.
On Friday (03.06.22) there will probably be no ceremonial journey to the service of thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral for the Queen.
And the Queen’s planned visit to Epsom for the Derby on Saturday (04.06.22) is off, with members of the royal family attending on her behalf.
Saturday is also the first birthday of Prince Harry and Meghan’s daughter Lilibet, and there is speculation the Queen will get to meet her namesake for the first time and possibly attend her christening.
In the evening, 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.
The line up includes Diana Ross, Queen + Adam Lambert, Alicia Keys, Nile Rodgers, Andrea Bocelli, Duran Duran, Bond composer Hans Zimmer, Ella Eyre, Craig David, Mabel, Elbow and George Ezra.
Prince Charles and Prince William are preparing to deliver public tributes at the concert to the Queen, who is due to be watching on television from Windsor.
On Sunday, millions will gather for patriotic street parties, picnics and barbecues, with more than 85,000 Big Jubilee Lunches being held across the UK.
The finale is the Jubilee Pageant through the streets of London, with a cast of 6,000 performers and close to 200 celebrities joining the carnival procession.
It is hoped the monarch will make a final appearance on the Buckingham Palace balcony to round off the weekend and see Ed Sheeran singing the national anthem with a choir made up of Britain’s “national treasures”.
Britain: Queen’s platinum jubilee to be celebrated by 16,000 street parties across England
More than 16,000 street parties are expected to be held for the Queen’s platinum jubilee bank holiday weekend.
Councils across England have received a “huge number of applications” from residents to celebrate the monarch’s 70 year milestone, according to the Local Government Association (LGA).
A snap poll of a dozen councils by the LGA indicated that they had approved more than 1,000 street parties.
Over the weekend, several councils across England have waived administration fees for road closures, of which there were 9,500 during the Queen’s diamond jubilee in 2012, the LGA said.
Parades are due to take place across England. Schools, businesses and local communities have also involved themselves with the celebrations.
“We’ve had a week of jubilee celebrations, we’ve had various activities and lessons that are centred around the history of the Queen and her life – everything from art lessons to history lessons,” said a school teacher in Widnes, Cheshire.
“It’s the first time we’ve been able to celebrate as a school properly since before the pandemic and the atmosphere has been immense. To be able to do something like this without the restrictions has been great – it’s been a real community event.”
On Saturday (04.06.22) Knowsley in Merseyside will hold a street parade as part of Knowsley’s Borough of Culture celebrations. The parade will feature dancers, drummers and lots of other activities designed to celebrate the Queen’s 70 years as a monarch.
Chief Olusegun Obasanjo: Brief history of a Pan-African Leader
Olusegun Obasanjo born on 5th March, 1937 is a Nigerian political and military leader who served as Nigeria’s head of state from 1976 to 1979 and later as president from 1999 to 2007.
Ideologically, Obasanjo is a Nigerian nationalist.
Born in the village of Ibogun-Olaogun to a farming family of the Owu branch of the Yoruba, Obasanjo was educated largely in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Obasanjo was Federal minister of works and housing 1974-1975 during the military regime of General Yakubu Gowon.
He was third chief of staff at the supreme headquarters 1975-1976 during Murtala Muhammed military regime.
Obasanjo became military head of state on 13th February 1976, he was also the Federal minister of defence during his military regime between 1976- 1979.
Committed to restoring democracy, Obasanjo oversaw the 1979 election as military head of state, after which he handed over control of Nigeria to the elected civilian president, Shehu Shagari.
Entering electoral politics, Obasanjo became the PDP candidate for the 1999 presidential election, which he won comfortably. He was President and Federal minister of petroleum resources between 1999-2007.
As president, he de-politicised the military and both expanded the police and mobilised the army to combat widespread ethnic, religious, and secessionist violence. He withdrew Nigeria’s military from Sierra Leone and privatised various public enterprises to limit his country’s spiralling debt. He was re-elected in the 2003 election. Influenced by pan-Africanist ideas, he was a keen supporter of the formation of the African Union and led the African Union (AU) from 2004 to 2006.
Obasanjo has been described as one of the great figures of the second generation of post-colonial African leaders. He received praise both for overseeing Nigeria’s transition to representative democracy in the 1970s and for his Pan-African efforts to encourage cooperation across the continent.
Platinum Jubilee: Queen Elizabeth ‘looking forward’ to welcoming Lilibet, Harry and Meghan with ‘open arms’ at Jubilee
The Queen is said to be looking forward to seeing her granddaughter Lilibet for the first time at her Jubilee and “will welcome Harry and Meghan with open arms.”
Insiders told Saturday’s (28.05.22) Daily Mail the 96 year old monarch is likely to spend time with the Sussexes next Saturday (04.06.22), when she celebrates 70 years on the throne and Lilibet is due to turn one.
A source said Her Majesty wants events running from Thursday (02.06.22) to Sunday next week across Britain to be “an occasion in which the country, including her own family, comes together”.
They added: “Her Majesty is typically very keen that the Platinum Jubilee be a celebration of herself, her longevity, as well as the institution of the monarchy and the people that support and sustain it.
“It is also a chance for people to come together after a very difficult period for this country. She doesn’t want anything to overshadow it – and that includes any family issues.”
It is understood she will meet with Harry, 37, and Meghan, 40, in private, with the couple set to stay at their Frogmore Cottage home in Windsor a short drive from the Queen’s private apartments at the castle.
The US-based pair are also said to be in line to attend the national Service of Thanksgiving for the Queen at St Paul’s Cathedral on Friday.
They may also attend at least one other public engagement.
Harry and Meghan may also spend time with other royal family members including Harry’s father Charles, 73, the Prince of Wales.
The Prince of Wales and future king has not seen Harry’s son Archie, three, since he was a baby.
It is unclear whether the Sussexes will spend time alone with Prince William the Duke of Cambridge and wife Kate and their three children.
The Queen, who is in Scotland enjoying a break at Balmoral, only invited working royals on to the Buckingham Palace balcony for Trooping the Colour on Thursday, along with Prince William and wife Kate’s children.
It is not known if Harry and Meghan will be accompanied by a camera crew from Netflix or personal photographers to document their trip to England.
A spokesman for the Sussexes said: “The duke and duchess are excited and honoured to attend the Jubilee celebrations.”
21/04: Queen Elizabeth to spend 96th birthday at Sandringham
Queen Elizabeth is expected to spend her 96th birthday (21.04.22) at Sandringham.
The British monarch – who has been struggling with her mobility in recent months – is said to have chosen to spend the occasion at the royal family’s Norfolk estate to feel closer to her late husband, Prince Philip.
A source told the Daily Mirror: “The Queen decided very recently that on her birthday she wanted to be as close as possible to her late husband and in an environment that was very close to both of their hearts. Sandringham holds so many special memories for the Queen and Prince Philip as well as the rest of the royal family.”
The queen will be staying at Wood Farm, where Philip – who died last April, aged 99 – lived following his retirement in 2017.
Members of the family will pop in to spend time with the royal during her stay.
Ahead of her birthday, the royal had a special visit from The Duke and Duchess of Sussex at Windsor Castle.
The queen’s grandson and his wife popped in to see Prince Harry’s grandmother before heading to the Netherlands for the Invictus Games, and the monarch gave him some words of support for the athletes taking part.
Speaking to the BBC, Harry said: “She had plenty of messages for Team UK which I’ve already passed on to most of them.
“So, it was great to see her and I’m sure she would love to be here if she could.”
The visit marked the duchess’ first trip to the UK since 2020, while the duke is thought to have last visited the UK in July.
Harry was a high-profile absentee from a memorial service for his grandfather, the Duke of Edinburgh, in London in March.
The royal couple – who are now based in the US, after tying the knot in 2018 – stepped down as senior members of the royal family in January 2020.
And the 37-year-old royal previously claimed he was unable to return to the UK amid concerns over security arrangements for his family.
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