Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee 2022: Queen says she is 'deeply touched' by jubilee celebration
The queen is the first British monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee.
The U.K. threw a once-in-a-generation celebration for Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee.
The 96-year-old queen is the first British monarch in history to reach a Platinum Jubilee, which marks 70 years on the throne.
Elizabeth ascended to the throne on Feb. 6, 1952, following the death of her father, King George VI.
The queen's Platinum Jubilee celebration included everything from Trooping the Color to a National Service of Thanksgiving, a star-studded concert led by Diana Ross, thousands of lunches and street parties across the country and a final appearance by the queen herself.
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Princes Charles, William honor Queen Elizabeth II at concert
As music’s biggest stars rocked Buckingham Palace Saturday night at the Platinum Party at the Palace concert for the queen, her son and grandson took the stage to honor Her Majesty too.
Prince Charles, Elizabeth’s oldest child and heir to the throne, thanked her for her 70 years of service to the U.K., and for being his mom.
“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,” Charles said, with his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, by his side. “On behalf of us all, I wanted to pay my own tribute to your lifetime of selfless service.”
“Your family now spans four generations,” said Charles, who was 4 years old when his mom became queen. “You are our Head of State. And you are also our mother.”
As Charles delivered his remarks, images of the queen that he selected himself were projected onto Buckingham Palace. He encouraged the crowd of thousands to cheer loudly enough that Elizabeth could hear them at Windsor Castle.
Charles paid tribute to both Elizabeth, who, at age 96, did not attend the concert, and his father, Prince Philip, who at the time of his death last year at age 99 had been married to Elizabeth for 73 years.
“My Papa would have enjoyed the show and joined us wholeheartedly in celebrating all you continue to do for your country and your people,” said Charles.
Prince William, second in line to the throne, focused on the conservation efforts of the royal family, led by Elizabeth.
“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,” he said.
Queen Elizabeth II makes surprise appearance with Paddington Bear
Queen Elizabeth II is not attending Saturday’s star-studded concert at Buckingham Palace, but quickly stole the show.
The 96-year-old queen starred alongside Paddington Bear in a video that kicked off the Platinum Party at the Palace.
In the video, Paddington takes a marmalade sandwich out of his hat to offer to Elizabeth, only for her to show the bear that she keeps a hidden stash too, in her handbag.
Later in the video, Paddington thanks the queen for her 70 years of service, saying, “Happy Jubilee Ma’am. And thank you. For everything.”
Elizabeth then replies, “That’s very kind.”
A palace spokesperson told ABC News of the sketch, "Her Majesty is well known for her sense of humor, so it should be no surprise that she decided to take part in tonight’s sketch. There was an interest in the filming and animation process and the opportunity to invite a famous bear to tea was just too much fun to miss.”
Prince William, Kate bring kids to Platinum Party at the Palace
Britain’s royal family got to sit back and listen to some of music’s biggest stars Saturday night at a Buckingham Palace concert for Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee.
Prince William and his wife Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, and their two oldest kids, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, are among the royals attending the Platinum Party at the Palace, watching stars including Elton John, Alicia Keys and Diana Ross perform.
Also present from the royal family are three of Queen Elizabeth II's four children, Princes Charles and Edward and Princess Anne, and their spouses.
Nearly all of the queen's grandchildren are these as well, including Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, Peter Phillips, Zara Tindall, Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn.
The queen, the first British monarch to reach 70 years on the throne, is not attending the concert but will be honored in several speeches and tributes.
Also absent from the royal family booth are Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. The California-based Sussexes traveled to the U.K. for the queen’s Platinum Jubilee but spent Saturday, their daughter Lili’s first birthday, “together privately as a family,” according to a spokesperson.
Diana Ross headlines concert for Queen Elizabeth II
Music royalty is taking the stage Saturday night at Buckingham Palace to honor Queen Elizabeth II.
A who’s who of music and pop culture – including Elton John, Alicia Keys, Lin-Manuel Miranda, David Beckham, Rod Stewart and Queen + Adam Lambert – are scheduled to perform at the concert, headlined by Diana Ross.
Elizabeth will not be in attendance at the concert, dubbed the Platinum Party At the Palace. The 96-year-old queen, who is dealing with mobility issues, attended Thursday’s Trooping the Color but has since bowed out of other jubilee events.
In her absence, the heirs to the throne, Prince Charles and his son Prince William will attend and are scheduled to make remarks at the concert.
Crowds have lined The Mall outside Buckingham Palace throughout the day in anticipation of the concert, which will be projected onto the palace as it happens and viewable on screens set up across the U.K.
Among the more than 20,000 people watching the concert from the stands will be members of the public who received tickets as well as members of the military, health care workers and volunteers from various charities.
The concert's main stage is set up around the Victoria Memorial outside the gates of Buckingham Palace.
First lady Jill Biden sends personal message to Queen Elizabeth
First lady Dr. Jill Biden sent well wishes to Queen Elizabeth ahead of the monarch’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
The message from Dr. Biden aired exclusively Wednesday on “Good Morning America.”
“Your Majesty, Joe and I wish you a wonderful celebration of your Platinum Jubilee,” Biden said. “Congratulations on 70 years of service to the United Kingdom and Commonwealth, and thank you for your enduring friendship with the American people.”
Last year at Windsor Castle, Biden and her husband, President Joe Biden, visited Queen Elizabeth, who has met nearly every U.S. president elected during her 70-year reign.