Prince Charles and his son Prince William honored the past and looked to the future as they paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II in a star-studded concert in front of Buckingham Palace to celebrate the monarch’s 70th year on the throne.
Diana Ross, rock band Queen, Duran Duran, Alicia Keys and others performed in front of some 22,000 people gathered at the mall for the “Palace Party” in the open air, which completed the third day of a four-day holiday weekend. dedicated to celebrating the queen’s platinum jubilee.
The 96-year-old monarch did not attend the concert, but delighted the audience when she appeared in a surprise video recorded with an animated version of another British national treasure: the Paddington bear.
About 30 members of the royal family gathered for the platinum party at the Queen’s Buckingham Palace. (Getty)
The Queen revealed that she shared Paddington’s love of jam sandwiches in a comedy that was shown to open the concert, culminating in speeches by the monarch’s son and grandson.
Charles opened his brief address to the Queen as “Your Majesty, Mummy,” and then paid tribute to his “selfless service life.”
The Queen’s sketch throws a superstar party outside the palace
The Queen’s eldest son and heir recalled the growing list of world leaders Elizabeth has known and the endless piles of state newspapers she has reviewed during a reign that now spans from the early days of the Cold War to in the information age.
But he also highlighted his mother’s role as a symbol of stability, unifying the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth as they negotiated this rapidly changing world.
Duran Duran performs during the platinum party at Buckingham Palace. (Getty) Prince Charles delivers a speech during the BBC Platinum Party at the Palace as part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations. (Getty)
“You’ve known us and talked to us. Laugh and cry with us, and most importantly, you’ve been there for us for 70 years,” Charles said as scenes of the queen’s life were projected on the palace walls. .
“You pledged to serve your whole life; keep fulfilling. That’s why we’re here. That’s what we’re celebrating tonight.”
William preceded his father with comments emphasizing the Queen’s long-standing commitment to the environment, stressing the need to combat climate change.
Recalling the Queen’s 1989 Christmas message, in which she called on all nations to work together to protect the earth for “our children and children’s children,” William said, “It is my firm hope that the words of my grandmother be so sure in 70 years. as they are tonight, that as nations we unite in a common cause, because then there is always room for hope. “
The queen has not attended any of the festivities since Thursday due to what the palace describes as “episodic mobility issues”.
But his absence from the concert did not dampen the party atmosphere among the audience.
“It’s a magical experience … (That is) it will never happen again in our lives, and it’s absolutely amazing to be a part of it,” said Sam Ahcquoim of Cornwall, South West England.
“I’ve been very, very excited and I can’t wait to get in now and start dancing.”
Queen Elizabeth II’s dedication to the throne was celebrated during an open-air concert at Buckingham Palace. (AP)
The monarch also chose not to attend the Epsom Derby early on Saturday and was represented at the prestigious annual horse race by her daughter, Princess Anne.
The queen is widely known as an avid horse lover, and has only missed the Epsom Derby a few times.
Five of her former racehorses were paraded on Saturday and 40 jockeys they have ridden for the queen formed a guard of honor before the national anthem sounded.
“I have been breeding horses for over 60 years. He knows all the bloodlines and has won many races and has a lot of knowledge, “Frankie Dettori, who was part of the course with other jockeys, told the BBC.
“I’m sure he’ll find a TV today and watch it live, because he really likes the Derby,” he added.
It was the second time in so many days that the queen’s mobility problems deprived the crowd of the opportunity to see her.
On Friday, the Queen skipped a special Thanksgiving service in her honor at St Paul’s Cathedral in London.
Palace officials said he had experienced “some discomfort” at the previous day’s events, which included greeting large crowds from Buckingham Palace.
Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, were among the nearly 50 members of the royal family who gathered Friday at St. Paul’s Cathedral to honor the absent head of state.
It was the couple’s first public appearance in the UK since they retired from royal duties and moved to California two years ago.
Aside from attending Friday’s service, the couple has so far remained out of the spotlight.
Her two children, Archie and Lilibet, who did a Saturday, have not yet made an appearance during this trip.
A spokesman for the couple said they spent the day “in private” and did not join some 30 members of the royal family at Saturday’s concert.
Meanwhile, members of the royal family traveled to Wales and Northern Ireland as part of the celebrations across the UK.
William and his wife Kate took two of their three children, eight-year-old Prince George and seven-year-old Princess Charlotte, to Cardiff Castle in Wales before a separate concert at the castle grounds in honor of the Queen.
The Queen’s youngest son, Prince Edward, and his wife Sophie, Countess of Wessex, visited a 1950s beachfront fair in Belfast.
Edward tried to get a pint of Guinness in a restaurant, while Sophie did a dance show in the 50’s and 60’s.