Queen Elizabeth delights as Britain holds star-studded jubilee party

As the Queen appeared in a comedy sketch with Paddington Bear Prince Charles paid a moving tribute at the ‘party at the palace’.

The Queen has once more showcased her acting skills, delighting Britons with a comedy sketch with Paddington Bear to open the star-studded Platinum Jubilee “party at the palace” concert early Sunday morning (AEST).

In the prerecorded sketch, an echo of her appearance with James Bond (Daniel Craig) for the London Olympics in 2012 before the band Queen + Adam Lambert opened the “party at the palace,” Queen Elizabeth offered Paddington tea and showed hi a marmalade sandwich she keeps in her handbag.

“Happy Jubilee, ma’am, and thank you. For everything,” Paddington told her, in the two and a half minute sketch. “That’s very kind,” the queen replied before the pair tapped their tea cups to the beat of Queen’s “We will Rock You” as the band began performing the hit, accompanied by 34 Royal Marine Drummers.

Incredible aerial displays using drones at #partyatthepalace#BuckinghamPalace#platinumjubileepic.twitter.com/2gfEeG0vqU

— Jacquelin Magnay (@jacquelinmagnay) June 4, 2022

The concert, the climax of the third day of public events to mark the 96-year-old monarch’s record-breaking Platinum Jubilee, saw 22,000 ticketholders pack a purpose-built 360-degree stage outside the queen’s central London residence.

Tens of thousands more thronged the city centre while millions watched on television as rockers Queen + Adam Lambert opened the star-studded show with renditions of “We Will Rock You”, “Don’t Stop Me Now” and “We Are The Champions”.

“It’s wonderful to be back,” guitarist Brian May told the BBC beforehand, in a nod to one of the most enduring images from the 2002 jubilee, playing “God Save the Queen” on the roof of Buckingham Palace.

Prince George and Princess Charlotte check a music setup backstage ahead of a concert at Cardiff Castle in Wales as part of the royal family's tour for Queen Elizabeth II's platinum jubilee celebrations. Picture: AFP.

Italian opera star Andrea Bocelli dazzled in a solo performance, while Motown legend Ross was set to sing in Britain for the first time in 15 years, ahead of an appearance at Glastonbury Festival this month.

Prince Charles and Prince William both paid moving tributes to their mother and grandmother, with Charles hailing “your majesty, mummy,” and telling the Queen the “outpouring of warmth … from your family, the country, the Commonwealth, in fact the whole world” was her subjects’ way of saying thank you.

People gather along The Mall for the Platinum Party At The Palace concert outside Buckingham Palace. Picture: Getty Images.

He also paid tribute to his father, the late Prince Philip. “I’m sure he’s here in spirit,” Charles said. My papa would have enjoyed the show, and would have enjoyed celebrating all that you do for your country and your people.”

He added: “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.”

Buckinghamnpalace as never seen before. #Queen#platinumjubileepic.twitter.com/nYs05aQteo

— Jacquelin Magnay (@jacquelinmagnay) June 4, 2022

Addressing the crowd, he said: “I know what really gets my mother up in the morning, all of you, ladies and gentlemen.

“Your majesty, you’ve been with us in our difficult times. And you bring us together to celebrate moments of pride, joy, and happiness.

“You laugh and cry with us, and most importantly you have been there for us.

“You pledged to serve your whole life, you continue to deliver.

“That is why we’re here.

“I know the Queen is watching these celebrations with much emotion, having I hope finished her marmalade sandwich.

“But, Windsor Castle is barely 20 miles away, so if we cheer loud enough, she might just hear us.”

Prince William spoke in the Green Planet section of the party, paying tribute to Prince Charles and Prince Phillip for their work in conserving the environment.

Joking that Buckingham Palace had been “turned into a giant IMAX screen” he expressed his “awe” Sir David Attenborough and others in the environment sector.

“I’m so proud that my grandfather and my father have been part of those efforts,” he said.

“While no one’s grandmother thanks them for talking about their age, my own grandmother has been alive for almost a century,” he continued, adding that, in those 100-years, “Our planet has become more fragile.”

Others to take the stage included Rod Stewart, who sang Neil Diamond hit “Sweet Caroline”, George Ezra and Eurovision 2022 runner-up Sam Ryder.

British rocker Stewart, who received a knighthood in the Queen’s 2016 birthday honours for services to music and charity, said Saturday’s gig was “nerve-racking”.

“I’ve grown up with this woman. I was seven when she came to the throne,” the 77-year-old singer told the BBC on Friday.

“She’s always been part of my life.”

Elton John prerecorded a poignant performance of “Your Song” while David Beckham, James Bond actor Daniel Craig and former US First Lady Michelle Obama were among those to record heartfelt tributes.

“Whether you were welcoming a nervous First Lady to Buckingham Palace for the first time, or your extraordinary kindness toward our children, I feel deeply honoured to have spent time with you over the years,” said Obama, thanking the queen for “your remarkable example”.

The palace was majestically illuminated through the evening, including with a message from natural history broadcaster David Attenborough and accompanying video featuring the queen.

Singer Diana Ross performs in 2019. Picture: Getty Images

The Queen — the longest-reigning monarch in British history — did not attend the two-and-a-half-hour event in person but will instead watched it on television at Windsor Castle.

Her heir Prince Charles, 73, and his eldest son, Prince William, 39, will be in attendance.

Prince Harry and his wife Meghan were also absent, instead spending a “private day” with their children.

On Thursday, the first day of celebrations, the Queen made two public appearances to huge crowds from the Buckingham Palace balcony, and then travelled to Windsor to attend a beacon-lighting ceremony.

The effort, after months battling difficulties walking and standing, left her in “some discomfort”, Buckingham Palace said.

The Queen departs after attending a ceremony to start the lighting of the principal beacon outside Buckingham Palace. Picture: Pool / AFP

On Friday, she withdrew from a church service of thanksgiving and also pulled out of attending the Epsom racecourse for the flat-racing showcase The Derby.

Her no-show at The Derby on Saturday is only the fourth time the keen horseracing fan, rider and breeder has missed the race since 1952.

She did not attend in 2020 as spectators were banned due to Covid.

Jubilee celebrations began on Thursday with the pomp and pageantry of the Trooping the Colour military parade to mark the sovereign’s official birthday.

Friday’s focus was the traditional Church of England service led by senior royals — and returning Prince Harry and his wife Meghan — in the hallowed surroundings of St Paul’s Cathedral.

On Saturday, the Queen wished her namesake great-granddaughter Lilibet a “very happy first birthday” on Twitter, after reportedly meeting Harry and Meghan’s second child for the first time in recent days.

The couple, who sensationally quit royal life in January 2020, now live in California.

They are staying in Frogmore Cottage on the Queen’s Windsor Castle estate while visiting Britain for the jubilee.

Britain made Thursday and Friday public holidays to mark the unprecedented landmark of the Queen’s reign, which has focused attention on the monarchy’s future without her.

Longer pub opening hours, street parties and other events celebrating the Queen’s central place in the life of most Britons have temporarily lifted the gloom of a soaring cost of living crisis.

Sunday will see more than 10 million people share food at “Big Jubilee Lunch” picnics and a musical and creative public pageant involving 10,000 people.

Ed Sheeran will round off the celebrations on Sunday, singing his 2017 hit “Perfect” at the end of the pageant.

Ross, who heads to the Glastonbury Festival this month after Saturday’s concert, said she was “absolutely delighted to receive an invitation to perform on such a momentous occasion”.

Charles has previously revealed that the 78-year-old diva’s disco hit Upside Down from 1980 was one of his favourite tracks.

Queen guitarist Brian May provided one of the most enduring images from the 2002 jubilee, playing God Save the Queen from the roof of Buckingham Palace.

AFP