Queen Elizabeth II made a surprise appearance alongside Paddington at tonight’s Part at the Palace concert in a pre-recorded video to start the event. After pulling out of the Platinum Jubilee events Friday and Saturday, it was a shocker to see the video of the Queen pulling out a marmalade sandwich from her handbag.
I don’t know if this tops the Bond performance at the London Olympics, because I’ve always loved that one, but I love Paddington so I thought this was lovely. You can watch the full segment below.
Full video of HM The Queen and @paddingtonbear. #PlatinumPartyatthePalace
— ChristinZ (@ChristinsQueens) June 4, 2022
pic.twitter.com/Eom8GoGtAP
I watched the full concert (on YouTube, who knows how long that video will last before BBC takes it down) and I found it pretty moving. The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee is more than just a once in a lifetime event, it’s a once in ever event. It’s never occurred before and who knows if there will ever be another British monarch to reach 70 years on the throne again (and even if there is, we won’t be around to witness it).
With everything happening with The Queen’s health the last six months, it really feels like we’re winding down on her reign, and to take this opportunity to celebrate The Queen and the history we’re witnessing is emotional.
Embed from Getty ImagesMy favorite performances were the broadway montage (especially Andrew Lloyd Webber and Lin-Manuel Miranda, and the cast of Six), Diversity’s segment on 70 years of British pop, and the Royal Ballet performance. Also Michelle Obama. I love her. I really enjoyed George Ezra as well – I’ve never heard him before but I enjoyed his voice and songs.
Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty ImagesPrince Charles gave an emotional speech. Beginning with “Your Majesty, Mummy”, Charles said:
The scale of this evening’s celebration – and the outpouring of warmth and affection over this whole Jubilee weekend – is our way of saying thank you; from your family, the country, the Commonwealth, in fact, the whole world. On behalf of us all, I wanted to pay my own tribute to your lifetime of selfless service. Your family now spans four generations. You are our Head of State. And you are also our mother.
Your “strength and stay” is 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.
Looking back, we think of the countless state occasions that are milestones along this nation’s road. And you will think of red boxes, filled with government papers, at the end of the day. You will remember those who have led this country – indeed, all the countries you serve, and leaders across the world. How things have changed … We think of all you have done to make the Commonwealth such an important force for good. You continue to make history.
And there was still time for fun amongst the work. We might have been celebrating that Derby winner this evening … next year, perhaps? But I know what really gets my mother up in the morning is all of you, ladies and gentlemen, all of you watching at home, represented here tonight in this great audience.
Your Majesty, you have been with us in our difficult times. And you bring us together to celebrate moments of pride, joy and happiness. Maybe this year, it really is coming home. 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. That is what we celebrate tonight. These pictures on your house are the story of your life – and ours. So, Your Majesty, that is why we all say thank you.
Now, I know the Queen is watching these celebrations with much emotion, having I hope finished her marmalade sandwich, including immense regret that she cannot be here in person with us this evening. But Windsor Castle is barely 20 miles away so if we cheer loudly enough, she might, might just hear us.
Telegraph
The Duchess of Cornwall joined Charles on stage for his speech. She wore her Van Cleef and Arpels Magic Alhambra earrings.
Embed from Getty ImagesPrince William also gave a speech in which he discussed environmentalism. Below is a video, the full transcript is below that.
Embed from Getty ImagesGood evening everyone. It’s so wonderful to be here with you on this incredible night, and great to see Buckingham Palace turned into an IMAX screen! As I watch those extraordinary images, it does make me think of all the monumental and pioneering work of so many visionary environmentalists that have gone before. I’m so proud that my grandfather and my father have been part of those efforts. And I’m in awe of people like the great Sir David Attenborough, who look at the beauty and power of our Earth and then work to celebrate and preserve it. I think of Rachel Carson from America, Wangari Maathai from Kenya, Sunita Narain from India and so many others.
While no one’s grandmother thanks them for talking about their age, my own grandmother has been alive for nearly a century. In that time, mankind has benefited from unimaginable technological developments and scientific breakthroughs. And although those breakthroughs have increased our awareness of the impact humans have on our world, our planet has become more fragile.
Today, in 2022 – as the Queen celebrates her Platinum Jubilee – the pressing need to protect and restore our planet has never been more urgent. But like her, I am an optimist. Decades of making the case for taking better care of our world has meant that environmental issues are now at the top of the global agenda.
More and more businesses and politicians are answering the call. And – perhaps most inspiringly – this cause is now being spearheaded by an amazing and united generation of young people across the world. Congratulations to all of them – they won’t accept the status quo, they won’t accept that change is too difficult to deliver. Never before have we had so much power to change the big things.
In the past 70 years mankind has put man on the moon; we have built the World Wide Web. And we have developed vaccines and solutions to some of the most life-threatening diseases on Earth. When humankind focuses its mind, anything is possible. It’s my firm hope that my grandmother’s words are as true in 70 years’ time as they are tonight that as nations we come together in common cause, because then there is always room for hope.
Tonight has been full of such optimism and joy – and there is hope. Together, if we harness the very best of humankind, and restore our planet, we will protect it for our children, for our grandchildren and for future generations to come. They will be able to say – with pride at what’s been achieved – “What a Wonderful World”.
Telegraph
Prince George and Princess Charlotte joined their parents in the front row for the concert.
The Duchess of Cambridge wore a Self-Portrait dress she first wore in September 2021, and her Robinson Pelham diamond earrings.
Embed from Getty ImagesPrincess Beatrice (wearing a dress by The Vampire’s Wife), her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, Princess Eugenie, and her husband Jack Brooksbank were in the second row.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Countess of Wessex, James, Viscount Severn, and Lady Louise were in the front row. Prince Edward was also there next to Louise but I couldn’t find a good photo with him in it.
Embed from Getty ImagesPrincess Anne was sat right next to Charles in the front row, along with her husband Sir Tim Laurence. In the second row sat her son, Peter Phillips, and his new girlfriend, Lindsay Wallace.
Embed from Getty ImagesMike and Zara Tindall were sat right behind Kate in the second row.
Embed from Getty ImagesPippa Middleton Mathews was there. Did we know that she’s pregnant? I completely missed that if it has been announced.
Embed from Getty ImagesMichael and Carole Middleton were also in attendance.
Embed from Getty ImagesHere is a video recap of the event.
Photos of the event. They used the face of Buckingham Palace to show images and lit up the sky as well.
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