Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie led the royal arrivals at the Buckingham Palace Platinum Jubilee Party tonight.
The two royal sisters, daughters of Prince Andrew and the Duchess of York, arrived at the star-studded event with their husbands Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and Jack Brooksbank.
Both couples looked stylish, with the royals wearing elegant dresses. Beatrice, 33, opted for a £795 navy corduroy dress with three-quarter sleeves and ruffle detail from The Vampire’s Wife.
Meanwhile, Eugenie, 32, opted for a white dress with a blue, white and red trim, echoing the colors of the Union Jack. Their husbands opted for elegant suits.
They were among a number of members of the royal family who joined tens of thousands of fans at the star-studded party at the Palace event tonight.
Tonight’s concert was expected to be the culmination of the third day of public events to celebrate the record-breaking platinum jubilee of the 96-year-old monarch, with 22,000 people expected to be in attendance outside Buckingham Palace.
Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie attended today’s concert with their husbands Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and Jack Brooksbank
Princess Eugenie beamed as she waved to the crowds at the star-studded event, accompanied by her husband Jack Brooksbank
Among the royal attendees at Saturday’s star-studded live anniversary concert, held outside Buckingham Palace, were the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
Prince Charles and Prince William will take center stage in front of 22,000 people to pay tribute to the Queen during the star-studded anniversary concert.
The father and son – both future royals – spoke separately towards the end of the BBC’s open-air palace party, held outside Buckingham Palace, in honor of the monarch.
Clarence House and Kensington Palace announced both Charles and William would address the crowd at the high-profile event, which falls on the third night of the four-day anniversary celebrations.
But Harry and Meghan, whose daughter Lilibet is celebrating her first birthday, were not among those in the royal box.
A spokesman for the couple, who stepped down as senior royals in 2020, said they would spend the day privately.
Others who wanted to check out acts like Diana Ross and Alicia Keys included the Earl and Countess of Wessex and their children Lady Louise Windsor and Viscount Severn, the Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, and Princess Beatrice and her husband Edoardo Mapelli and Mozzi Princess Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank.
Exuberant mood: crowd arrives in front of Buckingham Palace before the start of the Platinum Party at the Palace
Excited ticket holders queued up to 12 hours before the star-studded Platinum Party at the Palace, enjoying a festive atmosphere despite the long wait. Pictured: The crowd arriving at the Palace before the start of the Platinum Party
Members of the public on The Mall before the start of the Platinum Party at the Palace outside Buckingham Palace, London
Ahead of the event, party-goers described “a once in a lifetime opportunity,” “an honor” and “a dream come true” to celebrate the Queen’s platinum jubilee at a party at Buckingham Palace.
Around 22,000 people celebrated the historic occasion outside the royal residence on an overcast day in central London – but the typically British summer weather didn’t dampen spirits.
The crowd had been anxiously waiting for the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Cambridge to speak at the party at the Palace, before stars including rock band Queen, Diana Ross and George Ezra performed from 8pm.
Aisha Kasim, 37, described attending the event as a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity”.
Ms Kasim, a University Learning Support worker, traveled from her home in Aberdeen to the Palace Concert with her mother Mae Kasim, a retired teacher.
Aisha, who carried a Scottish flag, told the PA news agency: “I think it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity and I think it’s something we probably won’t see again any time soon.
“(The Queen) is our longest serving monarch, she’s done a great job over the years so it’s just great to be able to come to the party and make the journey from Scotland.
“We flew all the way from the other side of the country for this, so we’re glad to be here.”
“I’m actually also from Nigeria, I’m Nigerian-Scottish, and Nigeria was a former British colony, so I’ve grown up with it my whole life,” she added.
Lucy Morris, 39, and her son Lucas Wainwright, 14, traveled from Durham in north-east England for the concert.
Both wore Union Jack wigs and face paint, and the teenager described attending the event as “the best of my life.”
Lucas, who had also swapped his prosthetic leg for a Union Jacks ‘anniversary style’ leg for the occasion, told the PA news agency: ‘It’s an honor to be here. I look forward to seeing the royals come out.
“They are connected to God, they are here to lead us as a country, as a nation. I think that is very important.”
Paying tribute to rock band Queen, who will be performing at the concert, Ms Morris said: “He’s hoping to see the Queen while I’m hoping to see the other Queen.”
Lincolnshire couple Mandy and Malcolm Tipple wore Union Jack flags and matching face paint for the occasion. Mr Tipple, 65, told PA: “It’s fantastic. I’m ex-military and I’ve followed the Queen my whole life.”
Ms Tipple, 59, added: “I’m just proud to be British so to be here is a dream come true.” Meanwhile, millions more are expected to be watching the concert from their homes via BBC One will.
Queen, whose guitarist Brian May performed at the last Buckingham Palace rooftop party in 2002, will be joined by singer Adam Lambert, while Eurovision star Sam Ryder will also take the stage.
Sir Elton John appears in a recorded performance and live performances have also been given by Alicia Keys, Nile Rodgers, Andrea Bocelli, Duran Duran, Hans Zimmer, Ella Eyre, Craig David, Mabel and Elbow.
Well-known British names such as Sir David Attenborough, David Beckham, Stephen Fry and US Open winner Emma Raducanu are also celebrating the historic occasion.
Queen’s Brian May, Adam Lambert and Roger Taylor attend the BBC’s Platinum Party at the Palace tonight
George Ezra hailed the Queen’s 70-year reign as sovereign, “admirable” and “stunning” before performing tonight
Eurovision star Sam Ryder said the way the Queen carries herself “reminds us that strength can be gentle”.