Diamond Jubilee: Two receptions and a Royal Feast in Splendid Surroundings - hellomagazine.com

Underneath the impressive hammer beam roof of Westminster Hall, 700 lucky invitees awaited the arrival of royal family.

They made their entrance to a fanfare by the State Trumpeters of the Household Cavalry. The Queen smiled warmly to the young members of the National Children's Orchestra - who performed later - before making her way to her table.

As she did so, other senior members of the royal family were seated around the splendid historical setting – the scene of Charles I's trial and also where the Queen Mother lay in state in 2002. Above them was the Diamond Jubilee stained glass window, presented as a gift to the Queen by members of both Houses of Parliament, before it is permanently installed above the north door.

Click link for full post from Hello Magazine including LOTS of pictures, the menu and more: Diamond Jubilee: Two receptions and a royal feast in splendid surroundings - hellomagazine.com

Diamond Jubilee Concert gathers 12,000 people

Prince Charles gives a rousing tribute to her "Mummy"

More than 12,000-strong crowd gathered in front of Buckingham Palace to witness top-tier performers pay their homage to Queen Elizabeth II during the Diamond Jubilee Concert. 

Among the high-wattage performers who enjoyed the rousing adulation of crowds included Sir Paul McCartney, Robbie Williams, Kylie Minogue, Tome Jones, Elton John, Grace Jones, and Annie Lenox. 

Queen Elizabeth II arrived midway, around 9 pm, through the concert and was accompanied to her seat by Prince Charles. Sadly, Prince Philip missed the concert after he was hospitalized with bladder infection. 

The Queen was a stunner, wearing an Angela Kelly cocktail dress of gold lame adorned by Swarowski crystals. 

In an emotional yet witty speech, Prince Charles praised “Mummy” for ‘the life and service of a very special person. 

Prince Charles said: "A Diamond Jubilee is a unique and special event, some of us have had the joy of celebrating three jubilees with you, and I have the medals to prove it.

"And we're now celebrating the life and service of a very special person, over the last 60 years.

"I was three when my grandfather George VI died and suddenly, unexpectedly, you and my father's lives were irrevocably changed when you were only 26.

"So as a nation this is our opportunity to thank you and my father for always being there for us.

"For inspiring us with your selfless duty and service and for making us proud to be British.’

A rousing cheer from the crowd followed, while Princes William and Harry and the Duchess of Cambridge applauded. 

The concert kick-started with Robbie Williams singing Let Me Entertain You

Present-generation performers also graced the once-in-a-lifetime event, including Will.i.am Jessie J, JLS and Ed Sheeran

Veteran performers Sir Cliff Richards and Sir Tom Jones wooed the crowd for their immortal renditions

Sir Elton John was dressed in a sparkling bright pink coat
and a black suit and a pair of black trousers as he performed Your Song and dedicated it to the Queen

Cheryl Cole gave a powerful performance, made more interesting 

elegant strapless black gown. Together with Gary Barlow, 

who introduced her the crowd, she performed a moving

 rendition of Need You to Know. 

Unusual as ever, Grace Jones took the stage in black and red 

outfit all while hoola-hooping while singing

Annie Lennox meanwhile performed while wearing a 

shimmering silver gown and angel wings 

Leggy lady Kylie Minogue looked like a Pearly Queen of East London 

while belting out her biggest hits

Meanwhile, Shirley Bassey gave a belting performance as evening 

starts to take the sky

Sir Paul McCartney gave the closing performance and congratulated
the Queen for her “60 fantastic years” on the throne

The Queen Attends Diamond Jubilee Concert

Caption: Eyes lit up: Queen Elizabeth smiles as the Jubilee crystal is brought onto the stage during her Diamond Jubilee concert in front of Buckingham Palace. 
The eyes of the world were on Britain tonight and she didn't let us down. One of the most spectacular and entertaining concerts London has ever seen was staged as a Diamond Jubilee tribute to the Queen, with the country's favourite pop stars - knights and dames among them - and a host of international names putting on a stunning performance. There were fireworks, laughs, Union Flags everywhere and barely a dry eye in the house as Prince Charles brought the curtain down on the night with a personal and very moving tribute to his mother, and his sick father. Read full story from DAILY MAIL

Caption: Prince Charles paid a tribute to 'Mummy' ons tage at Buckingham Palace after a momentous concert featuring some of the world's leading musicians - such as Paul McCartney, Sir Tom Jones and Elton John - in the background

Prince Philip hospitalized for bladder infection

Prince Philip rejoices with the crowd during the
Diamond Jubilee river pageant

Four hours of standing,  a damp weather, and chilly temperature all took their toll on Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, who was taken by ambulance from Windsor Castle, where he and Queen Elizabeth II were resting after the grueling four-hour Thames river pageant last Sunday. 

The prince was immediately rushed to the King Edward VII Hospital due bladder infection. He will be confined “for a few days,” and was said to very disappointed because was not able to join the Diamond Jubilee concert, as well as today’s engagements.

The duke also suffered bladder infection in February 2002 and underwent minor heart surgery last Christmas. He will celebrate his 91st birthday this Sunday. 

Thousands watch the Queen during the Jubilee river pageant

Three generations of royalty all gathered together to join Queen Elizabeth II while sailing down the Thames during the spectacular Diamond Jubilee river pageant. Thousands of crowd from all over Britain gathered along the river to get the best view of the Queen, while the whole world keeps their eye in London to mark the Queen’s 60th year on the throne.

The 1,000-strong flotilla that floated along the Thames was the country’s most spectacular for the last 350 years. To cheer up the event and match up with the dampened, the London Philharmonic Orchestra sang Singing in the Rain while traveling down the river. However, the flypast finale, which should have ended the river parade in awe-exciting high note was cancelled due to bad weather.

Nevertheless, rain or shine, the Diamond Jubilee river pageant broke records as the river parade with the most number of participating boats.

Watch 60 glittering years of Queen Elizabeth II on the Throne

For sixty years, Queen Elizabeth II has been tireless and selfless in dedicating her life to the throne. Brought up to fulfill her destiny, the Queen’s reign has been so full of ups and downs and yet for all that she’s been through, she never failed to win the hearts of the millions of Britons who continue to show their unwavering support for the lady who stood by their times through all the grim moments and rejoiced them through all the triumphs and victory. In this video, let us take a look back and the 60 momentous years of Queen Elizabeth II.

Watch the Royal Family during the Thames Diamond Jubilee River Parade

In this video, the Royal Family boards the Spirit of Chartwell amidst cheering crowd during the highlight of the nationwide celebrations of Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee.

Watch Thames Jubilee Diamond River Parade

Relive some of the best moments of the Diamond Jubilee River parade and watch Britain celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's 60 glittering years on the British throne. 

The great Diamond Jubilee street party begins

Thousands of crowds have already gathered all over the parks and streets in London, waving Union flags and are at their merriest while showing their heartfelt tribute to Queen Elizabeth II.

All over Britain is poised for 10,000 street parties—perhaps, the biggest the country has ever seen. Not even the dampened weather could stop the Queen’s cheering subjects from celebrating this once in a lifetime gathering.

Photos below vividly show how happy the British are in the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and how they really meant party on the streets throughout the weekend and through the extended Bank holiday.

Despite the Rain, A Grand Day

Pictured Left: Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge arrives to board the Spirit of Chartwell for the Diamond Jubilee River Pageant on the River Thames, in London June 3, 2012. Queen Elizabeth joined an armada of 1,000 boats in a gilded royal barge, in a pageant down the River Thames on Sunday in a spectacular highlight of four days of nationwide celebrations to mark her Diamond Jubilee. Reuters Pictures   

Pictured Right: Britain's Queen Elizabeth II smiles during the river pageant commemorating her Diamond Jubilee, on the River Thames in London, Sunday June 3, 2012. AP Photo

Prince Charles and Camilla Visit a London Street Party as the British People Celebrate the Diamond Jubilee

Marion Chapman of Dundas, Ontario is served strawberries at a breakfast celebrating the Diamond Jubilee of Britain's Queen Elizabeth at the newly re-opened Canada House in London June 3, 2012. A flotilla of 1,000 boats will sail London's River Thames on Sunday in a spectacular highlight of four days of nationwide celebrations marking the Diamond Jubilee of Britain's Queen Elizabeth. Reuters Pictures, Right


Pictured Above: Britain's Prince Charles (2nd L) and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall (3rd L) join a street party in Piccadilly, central London June 3, 2012. Britain's Queen Elizabeth will lead an armada of 1,000 boats in a gilded royal barge down London's River Thames on Sunday in a spectacular highlight of four days of nationwide celebrations to mark her Diamond Jubilee. Reuters Pictures  Reuters Pictures A children's entertainer performs during a street party to celebrate Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee at Fulham in London June 2, 2012. Queen Elizabeth gets four days of celebrations to mark her 60 years on the British throne under way on Saturday with one of her favourite pastimes, a trip to the horse races, as tributes to the long-serving monarch pour in. Reuters Pictures

WATCH DIAMOND JUBILEE LIVE!

Epsom Derby kick starts Diamond Jubilee weekend

The Queen is all smiles while taking a day out at the Epsom Derby

There’s no doubt that horseracing is the sport for kings, but in the Epsom Derby, Queen Elizabeth II is the supreme commander!

“The beaming Monarch acknowledged the rapturous cheers of a sell-out crowd at the Epsom Downs course as, flanked by her family, she devoted the first day of her four-day Diamond Jubilee celebrations to one of her favourite pursuits: flat racing,” reports Daily Mail. 

Since 1953, Her Majesty has rarely missed the event. This year’s race began at an awe-inspiring free fall by the Red Devils parachute display team.

The Queen arrived at around 1 pm, together with Prince Philip, riding the claret State Bentley, rounding Tattenham Corner before thousands of her subjects seated on chairs adorned by gold cardboard crowns.

The Queen wore a striking outfit by Stewart Parvin, choosing a statement coat in Royal blue over a white silk day dress with a floral patern. Her matching hat was by royal milliner Rachel Trevor-Morgan.

After the National Anthem, she and Prince Philip made their way up to the Royal box garlanded in red, white and blue blossoms.

With the royal couple were the Duke of York, his daughters Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, and Prince and Princess Michael of Kent.

Beatrice wore an elegant white shift dress while Princess Eugenie tackled the turf in a pair of eye-catching nude court shoes with hound’s tooth-themed heels to match her dress.

Meanwhile, Sophie, Countess of Wessex displayed an elegant figure in a dove-grey coat dress and matching hat.

Although the event was the primer for the festivities in the Diamond Jubilee weekend, the intimate nature of the party was undoubtedly the Royal Family’s day out.

It was also, of course, the setting of the Derby, the world’s greatest flat race, one of the five Classics, run over a notoriously tough one mile, four furlongs and ten yards of steep inclines and tortuous cambers.

This year the prize money was set at £1.35 million, won by the regally named favorite Camelot.