Platinum Jubilee: Richard Griffin on the Queen's Sense of Humour

Mr Griffin reminisces about a picnic he went on with the monarch at Balmoral and an encounter they had with two American tourists who did not realise they were in the company of the royal.
Watch the humorous clip here.

Celebrating the Platinum Jubilee : Sounds of 1952

At Heathrow King George VI waves off his daughter and her husband on their royal tour. Within days she is back home, following his sudden death and her elevation to the throne as Queen Elizabeth II. Jeremy Vine introduces a collection of newsreels, popular songs, cinema trails and radio shows from that pivotal year including High Noon, Life With The Lions, Singin' In The Rain, Thumbelina and the first British pop chart. Names in the news include Churchill, Eisenhower, Zatopek, Little Mo Connolly and Gracie Fields.

Based on episode 2 of the Radio 2 series 'Sounds of the 20th Century' - the programme has no narration, no commentary, no celebrity recollections, just the sounds of 1952 as they were heard at the time.

Listen here.

Paddington Bear Joins the Queen for Afternoon Tea at Buckingham Palace

Jun 4, 2022 • The Queen and Paddington Bear surprised viewers watching the Platinum Party at the Palace concert by sitting down together for tea in a pre-recorded video. The clip was shown on big screens to the tens of thousands watching outside the palace - and to the millions tuned in across the UK and worldwide. The two and half minute film sees Paddington delighted to learn that The Queen shares his love of marmalade sandwiches, with the monarch even opening her handbag to reveal her very own ready-made snack inside. Paddington Bear takes tea – and marmalade – with Queen in jubilee video

The Queen Appears on Buckingham Palace Balcony at End of Jubilee Celebrations

Jun 5, 2022 • The Queen has made an unexpected appearance on the balcony of Buckingham Palace at the end of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

Her Majesty was joined by her son and heir to the Throne, Prince Charles, alongside the Duchess of Cornwall.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were also by her side along with the Queen's great-grandchildren, Princes George and Louis and Princess Charlotte.

Jubilee Honors Britain’s Queen, but Also Highlights Her Increasing Absences

THE NEW YORK TIMES: Throngs of admirers cheered Queen Elizabeth II at her Platinum Jubilee appearance on Thursday, but she was unable to attend a service on Friday. Prince Charles, in a familiar role, played the understudy.

Projections depicting Queen Elizabeth II’s 70-year reign displayed on the front of Buckingham Palace on Thursday. | Pool photo by Chris Jackson
LONDON — Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee has become a party without its guest of honor. Her absence is a metaphor for the twilight of Britain’s second Elizabethan Age, an awkward limbo in which the 96-year-old queen still reigns but has, in many ways, been replaced by her eldest son and heir, Prince Charles.

After appearing Thursday on the balcony at Buckingham Palace and lighting a beacon to celebrate 70 years on the throne, the queen skipped a thanksgiving service Friday at St. Paul’s Cathedral. The palace cited her “discomfort” and problems with mobility, which have forced her largely out of the public eye.

Charles, in what has become a familiar sight, played the understudy. He took his mother’s seat at the front of the cathedral, smiling slightly when the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, said of the queen, “We are so glad you are still in the saddle. And we are all glad that there is still more to come.”

How much more, of course, is a mystery.

That lingering uncertainty poses an acute challenge to Charles, who at 73 is already the longest-serving heir in British history. His unspoken transition into the sovereign’s role amounts to a kind of soft launch, royal experts said, allowing Britons to get used to the idea of him as king. But with Buckingham Palace averse to designating him a regent, the delineation of his duties can become constitutionally tricky. » | Mark Landler | Saturday, June 4, 2022

'Moment Everyone Had Been Waiting For': Columnist on Meghan and Harry Attending Jubilee Service

Jun 4, 2022 • Robert Hardman, columnist for The Daily Mail, tells CNN's Christi Paul about the reception the Harry and Meghan received at Queen Elizabeth II's platinum jubilee.

Platinum Jubilee: Joe and Jill Biden Congratulate Queen Elizabeth II

Jun 2, 2022 • President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden have congratulated the Queen on 70 years on the throne in a video message.

Queen's Platinum Jubilee Service of Thanksgiving

Queen’s Absence Strikes Symbolic Note as Royals Gather at Jubilee Service

THE GUARDIAN: Charles stands in for his mother at St Paul’s Cathedral in ceremony that pays tribute to her seven-decade reign

Prince William, the Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Charles attend the national service of thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral on Friday. Photograph: Reuters
The symbolism of a great state service of thanksgiving for an absent Queen was not lost beneath the imposing dome of St Paul’s Cathedral. All the more so as the country was paying tribute to her seven decades of public service as Britain’s now longest-reigning monarch.

The Prince of Wales was in her stead for the formal procession through a 2,000-strong congregation of prime ministers past and present, parliamentarians, diplomats, a full squad of other royals and 400 members of the public honoured for their community work.

As the archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, said in his hastily rewritten sermon, the horse-loving Queen, 96, is “still in the saddle”. But it seemed a moment to recognise that her presence, taken for granted at such grand public events, is no longer guaranteed due to the mobility problems that have plagued her platinum jubilee year.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who had flown in at the Queen’s invitation, made their first public appearance with other members of the royal family since their exit from royal duties and relocation to California two years ago. » | Caroline Davies | Friday, June 3, 2022

The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee: A Service of Thankgiving

Jubilee celebrations continue, marking HM the Queen’s 70-year reign with a national service of thanksgiving from St Paul’s Cathedral, acknowledging her dedicated service as monarch in the presence of senior members of the royal family.

David Dimbleby will provide expert commentary from inside St Paul’s, leading us through the service. Sophie Raworth meets many of the key people taking part.

From the BBC’s platinum jubilee studio at St James’s Park, Kirsty Young will be joined by special guests who share their experiences of spending time with the Queen and reflect on how important her faith has been through the years.

Watch it here.

Boris Johnson Booed as He Arrives at Queen's Jubilee Thanksgiving Service

Jun 3, 2022 • Boris Johnson was greeted by a chorus of boos as he arrived at the Queen’s platinum jubilee thanksgiving service on Friday morning. Stepping out of his car when it pulled up at St Paul’s Cathedral in London with his wife, Carrie, the prime minister was met with boos and whistles from spectators. During an awkward 15-second walk up the stairs where senior royals, signatories and politicians were marking the second day of celebrations to honour the Queen’s 70-year reign, Johnson appeared unfazed as he smiled and nodded Boris Johnson booed as he arrives at St Paul’s for platinum jubilee event

Sounds: Best of Today: Platinum Jubilee: Service of Thanksgiving | BBC

The Platinum Jubilee celebrations continue with a national service of thanksgiving from St Paul’s Cathedral. Speaking with Today’s Mishal Husain, broadcaster and presenter David Dimbleby reflects on his father Richard’s coverage of the Coronation of Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey in 1953. Mishal also hears from Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell, asking him how he feels stepping in for Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby after the latter fell ill last Thursday.
Listen here.

Platinum Jubilee: Royals Attend Jubilee Thanksgiving Service

Screenshot from the accompanying video: Prince Harry and Meghan arrive at Jubilee service
BBC: Senior royals have joined more than 400 key workers, volunteers and members of the armed forces for a thanksgiving service for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.

The Prince of Wales, the Cambridges and the Sussexes are among the attendees at St Paul's Cathedral.

The Queen, 96, is watching at home in Windsor Castle after experiencing "discomfort" during Thursday's events.

Prince Andrew was forced to withdraw after a positive Covid test.

Arriving for their first major event since they stepped down from royal duties in 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan received a huge cheer from the crowd outside St Paul's. With video » | Joseph Lee & George Bowden, BBC News | Friday, June 3, 2022

BBC: In pictures: Harry and Meghan join royals for National Service of Thanksgiving: The Royal Family and guests have attended a service of thanksgiving for the Queen at St Paul's Cathedral - but without the monarch herself. She is resting at Windsor Castle and is believed to have watched the service on television. »

Platinum Jubilee: Queen Pulls Out of Service Appearance

GETTY IMAGES
BBC: The Queen will not attend Friday's Jubilee service at St Paul's Cathedral after experiencing discomfort while watching Thursday's parade at Buckingham Palace.

The decision was made with "great reluctance" after considering the "journey and activity required", the palace said.

However, she did take part in a beacon lighting ceremony on Thursday evening.

Four days of celebrations marking the Queen's 70-year reign began earlier.

The 96-year-old monarch appeared twice at Buckingham Palace balcony, flanked by other senior royals, as they watched a military parade and waved at thousands of well-wishers gathered on The Mall.

Hours after the ceremony, the palace confirmed she would not attend Friday's thanksgiving service, but said she "would like to thank all those who made today such a memorable occasion".

The service at St Paul's in central London will give thanks for the Queen's seven decades as monarch. » | Dulcie Lee & Hamzah Abbas, BBC News | Thursday, June 2, 2022

Platinum Jubilee: French President Emmanuel Macron Pays Tribute to Queen

Jun 2, 2022 • French President Emmanuel Macron has hailed the Queen on her Platinum Jubilee with a video message.

Platinum Jubilee Live: The Queen's Birthday Parade

Prince Charles will deliver the Queen's speech at the State Opening of Parliament today after the Queen announced she would miss the ceremony for the first time since 1963.

Prince William will also be in attendance having been granted authority to open parliament on the Queen's behalf, along with his father, the Prince of Wales.

Buckingham Palace announced late on Monday that despite hoping to attend, "episodic mobility issues" were keeping the 96-year-old monarch from her duties.


BBC: LIVE: Charles and William in military parade as Jubilee begins »

NZZ – BILDSTRECKE: Vor 70 Jahren bestieg Queen Elizabeth II. den Thron: die Feier des Jahrhunderts – und wie es dazu kam – in Bildern: Vor 70 Jahren wurde Prinzessin Elizabeth über Nacht zur Queen. Bis zu ihrer Krönung dauerte es aber noch über ein Jahr. Ein Rückblick in Bildern auf eine Feier, wie man sie im Vereinigten Königreich so noch nicht gesehen hatte. »

NZZ – LIVE: Thronjubiläum der Queen: Parade zum Thron-Jubiläum ist im Gang, 4 Tage Ausnahmezustand: Seit siebzig Jahren ist Queen Elizabeth II. das Oberhaupt des Vereinigten Königreichs. Vom 2. bis 5. Juni feiern die Britinnen und Briten das Jubiläum ihrer Königin. Eine Übersicht über die Feierlichkeiten. »

NZZ – INTERVIEW: «Elizabeth II. musste sich als junge Frau in absoluten Männerdomänen bewähren. Dennoch war ihr Geschlecht für die Queen ein Vorteil»: Während siebzig Jahren auf dem Thron hat Königin Elizabeth II. in Zeiten rasanten Wandels Stabilität gestiftet. Laut der Historikerin Ellie Woodacre musste sich die Queen in patriarchalen Strukturen bewähren, doch wirkte sie bereits als junge Frau als Identifikationsfigur. Sie konnte sich auf eine Tradition grosser englischer Königinnen stützen. »

LE MONDE – PORTRAIT : Jubilé de la reine Elizabeth II : Arthur Edwards, une vie à l’affût des Windsor : PORTRAIT – Le photographe du « Sun » suit les faits et gestes de la famille royale depuis quarante-cinq ans. Toujours insatiable, l’auteur des premières photos volées de Diana et de Charles couvre, à 81 ans, le jubilé des soixante-dix ans de règne d’Elizabeth II. »

Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee: Seven Decades in Photos

Chris Jackson/Getty Images
THE NEW YORK TIMES: Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee, celebrating her 70 years on the British throne, is above all a tribute to one of history’s great acts of constancy.

Her reign has spanned virtually the entire post-World War II era, making her a witness to cultural upheavals from the Beatles to Brexit, technological advances from wireless radio to Zoom, political leaders from Winston Churchill to Boris Johnson.

From the sepia-tinted pictures of her coronation in 1953 to her emotional televised address to a nation in the grip of the pandemic in 2020, the queen has been an abiding presence in British life for as long as most Britons have been alive.

Her triumphs — history-making visits to South Africa and Ireland — have lifted the country. Her sorrows — the fraught days after the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, in a Paris car crash, or the Covid-enforced isolation of her grieving for her deceased husband, Prince Philip — have become the nation’s sorrows. » | Mark Landler | Produced by Mona Boshnaq | Thursday, June 2, 2022

Platinum Jubilee: Queen's Life in Pictures

Elizabeth was born on 21 April 1926 in London, the first child of Albert, Duke of York, and his wife, formerly Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon. | PA MEDIA
BBC: The Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations have begun, with Elizabeth II becoming the first British monarch to reign for 70 years. To mark the event we present an image from the archives of PA Media from every year of her life. » | BBC | Sunday, February 6, 2022

Royal Couple Told of Antigua and Barbuda's Wish to Be Republic

The royal couple are on the third leg of their Caribbean tour | PA MEDIA
BBC: Antigua and Barbuda should "one day become a republic", its prime minister has told the Earl and Countess of Wessex during their Caribbean tour.

Gaston Browne said during a meeting with the royal couple, who are touring the region to mark the Platinum Jubilee, it was the country's wish to remove the Queen as head of state.

However Mr Browne acknowledged such a move is "not on the cards" currently. He also called for "reparatory justice" to compensate for slavery.

The earl and countess met Mr Browne and his cabinet at a meeting on Monday during the third leg of their Caribbean tour.

Mr Browne told the couple: "We continue to have the Queen as our head of state, even though I should say we aspire at some point to become a republic.

"But that is not currently on the cards so she will remain as head of state for some time to follow.

"We're not trying to embarrass you, we're just trying to build awareness." » | Andre Rhoden-Paul, BBC News | Monday, April 25, 2022

Queen Backs Camilla to Be Queen Consort on Jubilee

The Queen has spent the anniversary of her accession in Sandringham | PA MEDIA
BBC: The Queen has said she wants Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, to be known as Queen Consort when Prince Charles becomes King.

In a message marking the 70th anniversary of her reign, the Queen said it was her "sincere wish" that Camilla would have that title.

The Queen is the first British monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee.

She is spending her day privately on the Sandringham estate, with national celebrations to be held in June.

The Queen's reign began when she was 25 years old, following the death of her father, George VI, on 6 February 1952.

The monarch said that, 70 years on, the day is one which she remembers "as much for the death of my father, King George VI, as for the start of my reign". » | Sean Coughlan, Royal correspondent | Sunday, February 6, 2022

Queen wants Camilla to be Queen Consort when Charles becomes king »

Camilla should be the next queen, says the Queen: The Queen has said she wants the Duchess of Cornwall to be crowned Queen Consort when the Prince of Wales accedes to the throne, in a significant intervention ending years of controversy and confusion over Camilla’s future title. »

Queen Elizabeth Paves the Way for Camilla to One Day Be Called Queen: On the eve of the 70th anniversary of the start of her reign, Elizabeth said she wanted the Duchess of Cornwall to hold the title of Queen Consort once Prince Charles is king. »

Queen Elizabeth, Anchor in a Storm-Tossed Britain, Marks 70-Year Reign: The milestone puts the queen, 95, in rarefied company: Only three other monarchs are documented to have reigned for more than 70 years. »

La reine Elizabeth II souhaite que Camilla soit reine consort quand Charles sera roi : La reine d'Angleterre a adressé un message à la nation en ce sens à la veille du 70e anniversaire de son accession au trône. »

Elisabeth II.: Auch Camilla soll Queen-Titel tragen : Zu ihrem 70-jährigen Thronjubiläum zerstreut die britische Königin Vorbehalte gegen ihre Schwiegertochter. Camilla solle einst den Titel tragen, der ihr zusteht. Zugleich bekräftigte Elisabeth II., sie werde nie vorzeitig abdanken. »

Prince Charles pays tribute to ‘darling wife’ and future queen Camilla: First in line to throne thanks Duchess of Cornwall for support as royal family paves way for her to take title of queen »