Ticket holders queue for up to 12 hours ahead of star-studded Party at the Palace TONIGHT

The Queen has delighted millions of viewers by appearing in a surprise comic sketch with Paddington Bear to kick-start the Jubilee concert.

The monarch and the famous bear – both much loved British institutions – tapped out the beat of the We Will Rock You anthem together on china teacups using silver spoons as a unique way of getting the celebrations under way.

The concert is the highlight of the third day of public events to mark the 96-year-old monarch’s record-breaking Platinum Jubilee with 22,000 people in attendance outside Buckingham Palace.

Motown legend Diana Ross, performing for the first time in Britain in 15 years, is a star attraction at the event, which is being held on a purpose-built 360-degree stage outside the queen’s central London residence. 

With the special, secretly-pre-recorded humorous two-and-a-half-minute sequence played at the start of the televised BBC’s Platinum Party at the Palace, the unlikely duo set the rhythm for opening act Queen + Adam Lambert – who joined in on the main stage.

Elizabeth II and the digitally animated character met for a chaotic cream tea at ‘Buckingham Palace’ in the footage, with the Queen revealing she shares Paddington’s love of marmalade sandwiches and keeps an emergency stash in her trademark handbag.

The duffle-coat wearing bear showed the Queen how he ensured he always had his favourite treat on him just in case, lifting up his red hat to reveal his snack.

The Queen responded by revealing ‘So do I’ before opening her bag and declaring ‘I keep mine in here’ to show her very own ready-made supply of the bread and orange preserve staple.

Accident-prone Paddington was shown causing mayhem by accidentally depriving the understanding sovereign of another cup of tea and spraying cream from a chocolate eclair over a Palace Footman.

The bear from deepest darkest Peru congratulated the Queen on her reign of 70 years, saying: ‘Happy Jubilee Ma’am. And thank you. For everything.’

The modest Queen replied: ‘That’s very kind.’

It brought back memories of the Queen’s James Bond skit for the London 2012 Olympic opening ceremony, when the monarch met 007, played by Daniel Craig, and then appeared to parachute into the stadium, with the help of a body double.

Paddington and the Queen were pictured sat opposite each other in ornate chair at a table, laid for afternoon tea, covered with a white linen cloth in an opulent room.

Buckingham Palace said the Queen felt the opportunity to invite Paddington to tea was ‘too fun to miss’.

The Palace said: ‘Her Majesty is well known for her sense of humour, so it should be no surprise that she decided to take part in tonight’s sketch.

‘There was an interest in the filming and animation process and the opportunity to invite a famous bear to tea was just too much fun to miss.

‘While The Queen may not be attending the concert in person, she was very keen that people understood how much it meant to her and that all those watching had a great time.’

The film was kept under wraps for several months by Buckingham Palace, BBC Studios and Heyday Films/StudioCanal.

Actor Ben Whishaw voice Paddington, just as he did in the hit movies of the children’s story.

Those involved in the film, which was actually shot at Windsor Castle, praised the Queen’s wit and warmth during the process, saying she shone and put them all at ease.

The Royal Family are out in force this evening along with tens of thousands of fans at the star-studded Party at the Palace event – but the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will be missing.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their children Prince George and Princess Charlotte led the royal arrivals. 

Prince William, 39, and Kate Middleton, 40, brought along their two eldest children as the Royal Family turned out in force for the historic concert in London. 

Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall, Zara and Mike Tindall and Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice and their husbands were also in attendance.  

Prince Charles and Prince William are set to take centre stage in front of a crowd of 22,000 to pay tribute to the Queen during the star-studded Jubilee concert. 

The father and son – both future kings – will speak separately in honour of the monarch towards the end of the BBC‘s open-air Party at the Palace show, staged in the front of Buckingham Palace.

Clarence House and Kensington Palace announced both Charles and William would address the crowds at the high profile event, which falls on the third evening of the four-day Jubilee festivities.  

But Harry and Meghan, whose daughter Lilibet is celebrating her first birthday, will not be among those in the royal box.

A spokesperson for the couple, who stepped down as senior royals in 2020, said they were spending the day privately.

Others in attendance include Diana Ross and Alicia Keys are the Earl and Countess of Wessex and their children Lady Louise Windsor and Viscount Severn, the Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, Princess Beatrice and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, and Princess Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank.

Anne’s son Peter Phillips is joined by his children Savannah and Isla, while Zara and Mike Tindall, who spent the day at the Epsom Derby with Anne and Sir Tim, will also be there.

The Queen’s cousins – the Duke of Gloucester, the Duke of Kent and Prince Michael of Kent – with the Duchess of Gloucester and Princess Michael of Kent – and Princess Margaret’s daughter Lady Sarah Chatto and her family are also in attendance, along with a number of other extended family members.

Political leaders who have been pictured arriving so far this evening include Prime Minister Boris Johnson with wife Carrie, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford. 

Would I Lie to You regular, comedian Lee Mack, taking to the stage during a scene change, mercilessly poked fun at those seated in the Royal Box, particularly PM Boris Johnson and his wife Carrie.

‘Welcome to the party of a lifetime at the gates of Buckingham Palace,’ he began.

‘And I’ll tell you what…. Finally we can say the words party and gate and it’s a positive,’ to gales of laughter and applause from the crowd estimated at 50,000, stretching right down the Mall to Admiralty Arch.

But Mack hadn’t finished with the VIPS. He then initiated a call and response ‘ayo’ chant with different sections of the audience, but when it came to the Royal Box, he made the sound they were supposed to repeat impossibly complicated, reducing them all to fits of laughter.

The BBC‘s Party In The Palace kicked off with a spectacular appearance from Adam Lambert and Queen on Saturday night.

Adam, who took the place of lead singer Freddie Mercury, appeared on stage in front of a row of Palace officials playing drums and began belting out We Will Rock You for their opening number.

It came 20 years after guitarist Brian May performed God Save The Queen on Buckingham Palace’s roof during a show marking the Golden Jubilee in 2002. 

The singer, 40, showed off his sensational sense of style in a sweeping black jacket embellished with gold stitching, which he paired with black trousers and a shirt as he took to the stage.

During their opening number, Brian May incredibly appeared up from behind a golden stage on a huge platform as he rocked the guitar solo while Roger Taylor put on an incredible show behind the drums.

After beginning with a rocking start, they then went on to sing Don’t Stop Me Now, getting the crowd of 22,000 people clapping and cheering, before going on to belt out We Are The Champions.

Eurovision star Sam Ryder and Diversity’s Ashley Banjo are among the stars praising the Queen’s service ahead of their performances this evening.

The special event will be opened by Queen + Adam Lambert, while soul singer Diana Ross will close the concert, which will be broadcast live on BBC One on Saturday evening.

Ryder, who was runner-up in the recent Eurovision song contest while representing the UK, is among the star-studded line-up who will entertain a live crowd of 22,000 people and a television audience of millions.

Speaking backstage about the monarch’s 70 years on the throne, Ryder, 32, said he feels it is ‘so selfless to give your entire life to that service’.

He added: ‘How many of us could say that we could do that? It’s breathtaking. The way that she carries herself, it reminds us that strength can be gentle.

‘I think that’s so important, to me all the time. To carry yourself in a way where you’re bringing so many people together in unity and solidarity but doing it with such a subtle kindness.’

The singer revealed that he got the call to do the Jubilee concert while on the bus home from Eurovision last month, which left him feeling like he was ‘overflowing with joy’.

Banjo, 33, will be performing with his dance troupe Diversity during the concert, teasing that in honour of the historic occasion they will be doing ‘something special’ and ‘different’ which reflects across history while also looking to the future.

He also said that to describe the Queen as an ‘icon’ is an understatement, adding: ‘She’s just an extremely special person, such a unique human for the country and the world.’

Brian May said that he hoped the collaboration of Queen + Adam Lambert can ‘pull off something epic’ when opening the show this evening.

The 74-year-old guitarist created a classic moment 20 years ago during the 2002 Golden Jubilee celebrations when he performed God Save The Queen on Buckingham Palace’s roof.

Speaking backstage before his performance, May said: ‘We’re exceedingly honoured and exceedingly happy to be here, it means a lot to us.

‘We were here 20 years ago for the Golden Jubilee and it’s great to be asked back.

‘And we like to bring something special every time, so we’ll see if we can pull off something epic tonight.’

He added that he does feel a ‘little bit of pressure’ this time around, but noted that the band enjoys the challenge of creating events which will be memorable.

Queen drummer Roger Taylor described the band’s opening set of the Platinum Party at the Palace as a ‘feel-good’ moment to take people’s minds off the misery of covid.

He told the BBC’s Roman Kemp: ‘This is a short feel-good set and we want to bring joy and really kick off the proceedings with a big kick-off.

‘This is a moment of jubilation after all the misery we’ve been through and which we won’t talk about.’

The band’s guest lead singer Adam Lambert praised the Queen’s ‘graceful and powerful presence.’

He told the BBC: ‘We’re ready to go. To be a guest of the United Kingdom for the Jubilee, it’s a huge honour.

‘From what I’ve learned about the Queen, even more so in the last couple of years being an American, [she’s an] impressive lady with a graceful and powerful presence in this country.

‘I’m thrilled, I’m thrilled to be here to celebrate.’

Broadcasters Roman Kemp and Kirsty Young will lead the BBC’s live coverage of the event, which is being broadcast on BBC One, BBC iPlayer and BBC Radio 2.

Reflecting on the Queen’s reign, Kemp, 29, said: ‘People don’t understand the actual service that gets put in sometimes, I think.

‘Over that amount of time, the things that she’s done for the country, in terms of bringing awareness to certain causes, bringing awareness to things that need to be shouted about and being able to back it up, whether it be finances or press or whatever, it’s been amazing.’

He also noted the tourism that the monarch brings to the UK, adding: ‘She basically travels to countries all around the world showing who we are as Brits and that’s something that should never be snubbed and it should be celebrated.’

The Royal Ballet will also feature during the special concert, with ballet dancer Lauren Cuthbertson saying it is ‘the most incredible feeling’ to have been selected to perform in honour of the Queen.

The concert, being held outside Buckingham Palace, also features performances from Duran Duran, Craig David, Alicia Keys and Sir Rod Stewart.

Other famous faces from the worlds of sport, stage and screen who are part of the event include Sir David Attenborough, tennis star Emma Raducanu, David Beckham, Stephen Fry and Dame Julie Andrews, with the evening also featuring a specially recorded performance from Sir Elton John.

George Ezra hailed the Queen’s 70-year reign as sovereign as ‘admirable’ and ‘mindblowing’ ahead of performing at the BBC’s Platinum Party at the Palace concert.

The singer, 28, said he feels ‘very flattered’ to be among the line-up, noting that this event will rank in his career highlights alongside playing the main stage at Glastonbury.

Reflecting on the Queen’s reign backstage at the event, Ezra said: ‘I was watching the other day a clip that kind of showed every prime minister that she has worked with, and this is my ignorance, but I just hadn’t realised how far back it was.

‘And then when we think about the fact that this is the 70th Jubilee, that’s unbelievable because of course in my life, she will have always been the monarch.

‘I think it’s admirable, I think it’s mind-blowing actually.’

Andrea Bocelli has said that when he previously met the Queen, he thought she was ‘very smart’ and ‘kind’.

Speaking backstage at the BBC’s Platinum Party at the Palace concert, the Italian operatic tenor, 63, said that he also really liked the monarch’s accent.

Composer Hans Zimmer has recalled accidentally insulting the Queen when he was a child, and joked that if she remembers this he might be cut from the Platinum Party at the Palace programme.

Speaking backstage at the event, he said: ‘I’ve met her a couple of times. I remember when I was tiny, when I was three or four years old, and I sort of insulted her.

‘Because I was introduced to her and I looked at her and I stared at her and I said: ‘You’re not the Queen,’ and she goes: ‘Why not?’ And I say: ‘You’re not wearing a crown,’ which to a three-year-old makes perfect sense.

‘So maybe she remembers – maybe I’m going to get cut out of the programme tonight.’

The Oscar-winning composer also revealed that he knows the Queen is a pianist and hopes that she and the whole country enjoys the special Jubilee concert.