The Queen's Platinum Jubilee Concert Lineup Has Some Unexpected Performers
To honor Queen Elizabeth's history-making 70 years as the head of the British monarchy, Buckingham Palace is planning a Platinum Jubilee to remember. There have already been events throughout the year to celebrate this important milestone, including A Gallop Through History, which featured a cast of over 1,300 performers, including Dame Helen Mirren as Queen Elizabeth I (via Daily Mail).
Queen Elizabeth appeared to have a great time at the event — and it is just the beginning. The Jubilee, taking place June 2-5, will boast lit beacons, a special Thanksgiving service, a lunch, a pageant, and the Trooping of the Colour, with more than 1,400 soldiers, 200 horses, and 400 musicians, per People. Senior members of Elizabeth's family — including Prince Charles, Camilla Parker Bowles, Prince William, and Kate Middleton — will be with the queen on the royal balcony to watch the ceremony. However, Prince Andrew, Prince Harry, and Meghan Markle are excluded from standing with the royal.
"After careful consideration, the queen has decided this year's traditional Trooping the Color balcony appearance on Thursday 2nd June will be limited to Her Majesty and those members of the royal family who are currently undertaking official public duties on behalf of the queen," the palace said in a statement, (via USA Today).
Although there has been speculation that Queen Elizabeth's health issues might prohibit her from attending every Jubilee event, hopefully she won't miss the star-studded concert taking place on Saturday, June 4.
Diana Ross will close out the concert in honor of Queen Elizabeth
The concert in honor of Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee — called "Platinum Party At The Palace" — will be broadcast live on BBC One and have an all-star lineup with some of music's biggest names. According to People, three stages will feature performances by Queen + Adam Lambert, Alicia Keys, Duran Duran, Hans Zimmer, Ella Eyre, Craig David, Mabel, Elbow, George Ezra, Andrea Bocelli, Mimi Webb, Sam Ryder, Jax Jones, Celeste, Nile Rodgers, Sigala, and Diversity.
If that wasn't impressive enough, the legendary Diana Ross is set to close out the show, performing a compilation of all of her hits. "I have had the honor of meeting The Queen many times throughout my life, including when I was with my family," said Ross. "Her Majesty has and continues to be such an incredible inspiration to so many across the world and I was absolutely delighted to receive an invitation to perform on such a momentous and historic occasion."
Queen Elizabeth is also a huge fan of show tunes, with "Showboat," "Oklahoma!" and "Annie Get Your Gun" among her favorite musicals as her cousin, Lady Elizabeth Anson, revealed in the documentary "Our Queen: 90 Musical Years," per BBC. With that in mind, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Lin-Manuel Miranda will be on hand to serenade the queen during the Jubilee concert.