Summary

  • The Queen will not attend the National Service of Thanksgiving on Friday after experiencing 'discomfort' on Thursday

  • Her Majesty still participated in the beacon lighting event on Thursday evening

  • More than 3,500 beacons are being lit across the UK and in the capital cities of Commonwealth countries

  • The Queen came to the throne 70 years ago and is Britain's longest-reigning monarch

  • Earlier she appeared on the balcony at Buckingham Palace as huge crowds celebrated her Platinum Jubilee

  • The celebrations are spread over four days of events, and began with Trooping the Colour earlier today

  • Prince Harry and Meghan kept a low profile, but watched from a building overlooking the parade ground, close to Buckingham Palace

  • Meanwhile, Prince Andrew, the Queen's second son, has tested positive for Covid

Live Reporting

By Owen Amos and Doug Faulkner

  1. An educational and patriotic day, says mother-of-two

    Jon Kelly
    Reporting from The Mall

    “It was a last-minute decision to come down - we just decided last night,” says Lucy Lyon, 33, from Boston, Lincolnshire.

    Lucy was with her sons Edward, six - dressed as a guardsman for the occasion - and Archie, eight, as well as her own mum, Anne-Marie Barraclough, 53, from Leeds.

    All were looking forward to street parties back home during the weekend ahead. But here in London, with the sun shining, the family were enjoying the grandeur of this occasion.

    “It’s just a patriotic thing for the country, isn’t it?”, Lucy says. The days out will also be educational for the boys, she hopes. “It’s something that feels like it’s always been here - something you learn about at school.”

    Member of the public Lucy Lyon is pictured with her young sons - one of who is dressed as a guardsman - and her own mother

    Lucy (R) and her family made a last minute decision to come to London

  2. Not long to go now... parade kicks off shortly

    Police have been making last-minute security checks along The MallPA Media

    We're getting ready for Trooping the Colour - the military parade that will kick off the official Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

    The event starts in just a few minutes at 10:00 BST and will culminate in a flypast of Buckingham Palace at 13:00 BST.

    Senior royals - including the Queen - are in central London for the occasion - and we'll bring you all the latest as it happens.

    Viewers in the UK can watch live coverage on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, and those of you joining us from overseas can get an account of all the pomp and ceremony on this page.

    Stick with us!

  3. History is being made

    Sean Coughlan
    Royal correspondent, reporting from Buckingham Palace

    She is seen here in the Long Library at Sandringham after making the first televised Christmas Day broadcast to the nation. Elizabeth is holding the copy of Pilgrim's Progress from which she read a few lines during her message. 1958PA Media

    In the streets around Buckingham Palace, it feels like a city waking up after a long sleep. Crowds are gathering and people are staking out their places along the railings to watch the parades and pageantry.

    The Platinum Jubilee celebrates something that has never happened before. No British monarch has ever reigned for 70 years – it’s a remarkable length of time on the throne.

    To put it in perspective, the Queen’s reign is already longer than the reigns of her four predecessors put together. Her time as monarch has stretched over multiple eras, across 14 different UK prime ministers and 14 US presidents.

    Older readers might be scratching their heads finding it hard to believe it’s 45 years since the Silver Jubilee.

    The nearest comparison in length of reign is Queen Victoria’s 63 years, and in international terms, the Queen isn’t far behind the 72 years of the Sun King of France, Louis XIV.

    Reaching the age of 96 is also unprecedented for a British monarch. The Queen is one of about 138,000 people in the UK over the age of 95, the great majority of them women.

    Apart from Elizabeth II, only two other monarchs lived into their eighties – Victoria and George III. No previous British monarch has reigned in their nineties.

  4. The world's press are gathering

    Thom Poole
    Reporting from The Mall

    The Jubilee is a big media event around the world.

    Setting up a shot near a crew from CNN is Almudena Ruiz-Ruano, a reporter with Spanish outlet TVE.

    "The Spanish people see the British royals a bit like a TV serial," she says.

    "We like it a lot - the ceremony - this is really something amazing. We like to see people in the streets, how they celebrate... In Spain I don't think we have these feelings."

    "Today is a historical moment... For me it is really a pleasure to be here."

    Spanish reporter Almudena Ruiz-Ruano sets up as the world's press descend on London for the Jubilee

  5. Buckingham Palace balcony dressed to impress

    Buckingham Palace balcony

    We've had our first glimpse of the decoration that will adorn the Buckingham Palace balcony - the iconic setting that has provided a photo frame for the biggest royal occasions.

    The Queen will appear on the balcony at around 13:00 BST to watch the RAF flypast - which will include models of World War Two aircraft - with other senior royals.

    But who is invited to stand on the balcony alongside her?

    Only "working royals" and their children will appear there, as our royal correspondent Sean Coughlan notes, which excludes the Queen's son Prince Andrew, and her grandson Prince Harry, and his wife Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex.

  6. Sceptres and crowns as crowds turn up in finery

    Thom Poole
    Reporting from The Mall

    Vas dressed up in crown and sceptre.

    It's getting busy down here already. Lots of people have dressed up for the occasion, with Union Jacks printed on shirts or nestling in hair.

    Vas, from south-east London, went one step further with a cloak and crown. He's here with his friends and nephew Leo. "I wanted to get a nicer sceptre but it was out of stock," he says.

    Why would he want to go to all this effort?

    "It's to celebrate the fact that she's lived so long," he says. "I only became a British citizen last year - I'm originally from Greece - and I think it is important to celebrate her legacy. It is a once in a lifetime experience."

  7. WATCH: Get a taste of the atmosphere on The Mall

    Excitement is building on The Mall, where those eager to get a glimpse of the 96-year-old Queen have begun gathering behind the huge line of security fences leading up to Buckingham Palace.

    And it isn't just Britons who've made the journey to London. In the clip below, a woman from Melbourne and another who lives in Spain tell the BBC they want to convey one simple message to their "consistent" monarch: Thank you.

  8. Republican campaigners want this Jubilee to be the last

    Republic billboardRepublic

    Of course, not everyone is mad for the monarchy.

    Republic - the campaign group which wants to abolish the monarchy and replace it with an elected head of state - is marking the Jubilee with a crowdfunded billboard campaign across the UK.

    It's putting up signs urging Britons to support its call for this event to be the last and is calling for a "grown-up debate" in the country about the future of the monarchy.

    Its campaign comes as polls show a majority of Britons still support having a queen or king.

    Pollsters YouGov found 62% were in favour of the monarchy, with 22% wanting an elected head of state, and 16% saying they did not know.

    Another survey this week, carried out by Ipsos-Mori, showed 68% were in favour of the monarchy and 22% preferred a republic, with 10% saying they didn’t know.

  9. The monarchy 'is more ingrained in you than you realise'

    Jon Kelly
    Reporting from The Mall

    Kirk Paton

    Monarchist Kirk Paton was on The Mall bright and early

    Kirk Paton arrived at the Mall by 05:30am to make sure he had a prime vantage spot right by the barrier.

    Kirk, 42, from Cambridge, describes himself as a monarchist: “I like the parliamentary system the monarchy is part of,” he says.

    “When you are British, I feel it’s ingrained in you more than you realise.”

    But above all he admires the Queen as an individual.

    “It’s the sense of service. She’s always kept above politics. She’s never revealed the details of her discussions with her prime ministers.

    “When we get to Prince Charles, or rather King Charles, I just don’t think I’m going to feel the same.”

  10. Snacks and sparkly boots: Spectators set up on The Mall

    A man distributes food as people gather along The Mall for the Queen"s Platinum Jubilee celebrationsReuters

    The festivities are well and truly under way along The Mall, where dozens of people have set up Union Jack-adorned camps and are enjoying picnic-style breakfasts.

    It seems no detail has been missed either - with groups wearing an array of hats, sitting on foldable chairs brought from home and surrounded by bunting.

    Women wearing Union Jack hats, and drinking bubbly beverages, get ready along The MallReuters

    Women wearing Union Jack hats, and drinking bubbly beverages, get ready along The Mall

    A man wearing a Union Jack suit and high-heeled sparkly boots poses for a selfieReuters

    A man wearing a Union Jack suit and high-heeled sparkly boots poses for a selfie

    Satirical artist Kaya Mar poses with one of his artworks as people gather along The Mall for the Queen"s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in London, Britain June 2, 2022. REUTERS/Tom Nicholson NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVESReuters

    What would a Jubilee be without some live art? Satirical artist Kaya Mar poses with an artwork of the Queen alongside her 14 Prime Ministers.

  11. Where and when you can see the Jubilee flypast

    We promised you more detail on the flypast... so here goes.

    It will feature about 70 aircraft and will mark the end of the traditional Trooping the Colour ceremony in London at lunchtime today.

    The RAF aerobatic team, the Red Arrows, will round off an aerial procession that will also feature the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, including a Lancaster Bomber, Spitfires and Hurricanes.

    The planes will begin to assemble over the North Sea but different aircraft will join the aerial procession as it makes its way towards London.

    The best viewpoint will be Buckingham Palace in central London - afterwards the aircraft will begin to disperse in different directions again.

    Graphic tracking the Platinum Jubilee flypast

  12. German tourist ready for action - after just one hour's sleep

    Jon Kelly
    Reporting from The Mall

    Lea Maunder

    It’s a bright, clear morning and the crowd near Buckingham Palace is already several people deep.

    Lea Maunder, 22, from Halle, Germany has been here since 06:00 BST - she flew in last night and has had only one hour’s sleep.

    “I love the spirit of the Royal Family - I’m a big fan of the Queen,” she says.

    “I had to dress my best for her - I’m wearing a fascinator and carrying my Union Jack handbag.

    “Ever since I was a little girl I’ve been fascinated by all things British - I’m training to be an English teacher.

    “I like the fact that lots of people here like the Royal Family - not everyone, of course, but that sense of tradition and national feeling is very important, I think.”

  13. Red Arrows pilot looking forward to palace flypast

    File photo of a Red Arrows fly-past over Buckingham Palace in June 2018PA

    The Red Arrows display starts in the area around The Wash around 11:45 BST, reaching central London around 12:40, and the Palace at 13:00

    Wing Commander David Montenegro, who is taking part in the Red Arrows flypast over London later, has been on the radio this morning and he's clearly looking forward to putting on a show.

    The event has involved months of planning and coordination, he said.

    "This is the biggest flypast the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy have done since our centenary year in 2018.

    "Seventy aircraft will fly down the Mall, over the Palace, and then head west over London.

    "I am so pleased that I'm looking out over a beautiful Lincolnshire blue sky here today - and I believe it's good weather in London as well."

    We'll give you more detail on the flypast shortly.

  14. 'Don't you just love ER' - The Queen on front pages

    Many of the UK's national newspapers are using today's front pages to mark the beginning of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations. Several feature the official photograph we just showed you, as well as remarking on her long reign.

    The SunThe Sun

    The Sun leads on the Queen kicking off her Platinum Jubilee party with a stirring message in which she said she is still "inspired by the goodwill shown to me".

    Daly MailDaily Mail

    The Daily Mail leads on the Queen's Jubilee message where she has called on the nation to create happy memories with friends and family.

    Daily TelegraphDaily Telegraph

    The Daily Telegraph says the Queen's message to the nation includes her belief that the nation can look to the future with "confidence and enthusiasm".

    iThe i

    The i paper shows a collage of images depicting moments throughout the Queen's lifetime.

  15. And here she is... official portrait of the Queen unveiled

    The official photograph of Queen Elizabeth II, released to mark the Platinum JubileeRanald Mackechnie

    Regal in… dove blue - here’s the official Platinum Jubilee portrait, showing the Queen, sitting on a window seat at Windsor Castle.

    We’re told she’s wearing an Angela Kelly coat made of wool Charmelaine.

    Angela Kelly is the Queen’s personal dresser, and leads a team of about 10 people who design and produce her outfits in-house.

    The picture was taken by photographer Ranald Mackechnie, in the Victoria Vestibule in the Queen's private apartments at Windsor.

    Behind her are the Round Tower, and - almost imperceptible - a statue of King Charles II which stands in the quadrangle of the castle.

    The Queen, who is 96, has struggled with mobility in recent months - which may have had a bearing on her seated pose.

    Read more.

  16. Artists, authors and actors honoured

    Scottish crime author Ian RankinGetty Images

    The Platinum Jubilee celebrations coincide with the annual Queen's Birthday Honours List - which sees a range of famous names recognised for their contributions to British society.

    Scottish crime writer Ian Rankin receives a knighthood, while the former first minister of Northern Ireland, Arlene Foster, is made a dame.

    Broadcaster Clare Balding, actor Damian Lewis and fashion designer Stella McCartney receive CBEsGetty Images

    Broadcaster Clare Balding, actor Damian Lewis and fashion designer Stella McCartney receive CBEs

    Actor Damian Lewis, fashion designer Stella McCartney and broadcaster Clare Balding are made Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) while author Sir Salman Rushdie and illustrator Sir Quentin Blake join the elite Companions of Honour.

    Sir Quentin Blake is now a Companion of HonourGetty Images

    Sir Quentin Blake is now a Companion of Honour

    Elsewhere, there are honours for Great Britain's women's curling squad who won gold at this year's Beijing Winter Olympics, and honours also go to ex-Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand, Welsh international Gareth Bale, cricketer Moeen Ali and former world snooker champions Mark Selby and Judd Trump.

    Read more about the Queen's Birthday Honours here.

  17. Long weekend forecast: A (very British) mixed bag

    Will it rain on the parade, street parties, and Republicans trying to ignore it all…?

    We all want to know, so we asked BBC Weather’s Tomasz Schafernaker.

    The verdict: Scotland’s getting the best of the weather throughout, but the rest of us are in for some changeable sunshine and showers.

    Temperature-wise it’s not looking too bad, with 20C forecast in the south of England, and the high teens in the north.

    Want more detail? Take your poncho(and suncream) over to BBC Weather online for the latest on your local area.

  18. Early morning on The Mall...

    A woman wrapped in the Union Flag on the Mall on Thursday morningReuters

    Dozens of people have spent the night camped out on The Mall - the road which leads up to Buckingham Palace - in order to get a better view of today's celebrations in central London.

    Draped in Union Flags, they have come from far and wide to see the armed forces take part in Trooping the Colour later and a fly-past by the Royal Air Force, Army, and Royal Navy.

    Royal supporters arrived on Wednesday to ensure they have the best spot from which to see the Queen during Thursday's events in central LondonGetty Images

    Royal supporters arrived on Wednesday to ensure they have the best spot from which to see the Queen during Thursday's events in central London

    People gather along The Mall during the Queen"s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in LondonReuters

    It was a chilly night on the Mall - even for June, the overnight temperature struggled to maintain double figures.

    Corgis on the MallReuters

    The Queen's favourite dog breed - corgis - are also represented.

    Security personnel patrol during the Queen"s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in LondonReuters

    The Metropolitan Police were also out early - doing security checks ahead of today's march.

  19. The Queen wishes everyone well as celebrations begin

    Queen Elizabeth IIReuters

    The Queen released an official message on last night, wishing happiness to those joining Jubilee events and thanking the organisers.

    Thank you to everyone who has been involved in convening communities, families, neighbours and friends to mark my Platinum Jubilee, in the United Kingdom and across the Commonwealth.

    I know that many happy memories will be created at these festive occasions.

    I continue to be inspired by the goodwill shown to me, and hope that the coming days will provide an opportunity to reflect on all that has been achieved during the last 70 years, as we look to the future with confidence and enthusiasm.

    It was signed, simply, Elizabeth R.

  20. What is Trooping the Colour?

    Trooping the colour rehearsalPA Media

    Trooping the Colour is an annual military parade that marks the Queen’s official birthday - which this year falls on 11 June (her actual birthday is 21 April).

    This is a centuries-old tradition which sees the Queen inspecting her troops.

    More than 1,200 parading officers and soldiers, 200 horses and hundreds of army musicians are set to take part in the pageant.

    It takes a route from Buckingham Palace along The Mall to Horse Guards Parade and Whitehall - then back again.

    The guards who take part form one of the oldest regiments of the British Army - the Household Division. They are effectively the Queen's bodyguards or personal troops.

    Each year, there is a display of a different “colour” – meaning a flag that represents a particular British army regiment. This year the colour will be “trooped” by the 1st Battalion, Irish Guards.

    The event will finish with a flypast of Buckingham Palace by the RAF – during which crowds will try and catch sight of the Queen and other royals making an appearance on the balcony.

    Audiences in the UK will be able to watch Trooping the Colour live from 11:00 BST on BBC One and the BBC News Channel - and on the link in this page.