The Queen may have decided to skip the music concert as part of her platinum anniversary celebrations, but that didn’t stop her from stealing the show with a surprise cameo role in a skit to kick off the event.
Spectators and the live audience watched ecstatically as Paddington Bear made his way into the corridors of Buckingham Palace, where he was soon after settling down for tea with Her Majesty. Within five minutes he was pouring her a cup of tea and they were comparing jam sandwiches.
Later in the evening, two royal princes took the stage to express their personal affection during the Platinum Party at the Palace on the third night of the British Jubilee Weekend celebrations.
Princes Charles and William took turns speaking to the crowd, including 22,000 frontline workers who had tickets to the concert, which was taking place outside Buckingham Palace, the Queen’s official London residence.
Charles, the monarch’s eldest son, stood alongside his wife, the Duchess of Cornwall, on stage in a personal tribute to his mother. “Thank you from your family, the country, the Commonwealth, actually the whole world. On behalf of all of us, I wish to pay my own tribute, in images, words and light, to your lifetime of selfless service.” (Cue lights spectacularly swirl around the palace)
“Her family now consists of four generations. You are our head of state and you are also our mother. Your strength and perseverance (the late Duke of Edinburgh) will be greatly missed tonight but I am sure he is here in spirit. My dad would have enjoyed the show and wholeheartedly joined us in celebrating all you continue to do for your country and your people.
“We think of everything you have done to make the Commonwealth such a force for good. They keep making history.
“I know what wakes my mother up in the morning is you all, ladies and gentlemen. You all look at home…Your Majesty, you have been with us during our difficult times and brought us together to celebrate moments of pride, joy and happiness.
“You met us and talked to us, laughed with us and cried with us, and most importantly, you were there for us during these 70 years. You promised to serve your whole life. They continue to deliver. That’s why we’re here. That’s what we’re celebrating tonight… That’s why we all say thank you.”
His elder son, William, paid tribute to the royal family’s efforts, particularly in the area of wildlife conservation and protecting the earth.
“While no one’s grandmother thanks them for talking about their age, my own grandmother has been alive for almost a century…
“The urgent need to protect our planet has never been more urgent. Like her, I am an optimist.”
Diana Ross, Nile Rodgers and Alicia Keys joined native British names such as Queen, Sir Rod Stewart and Sir Elton John for the concert.