Queen arrives at Windsor ahead of Jubilee celebrations
by 0 The Queen has arrived back at Windsor Castle ahead of her Platinum Jubilee celebrations this week.
The 96-year-old monarch was photographed at Aberdeen airport, after staying at Balmoral, her Scottish estate, for a few days before festivities begin to mark 70 years of her reign.
She was then captured again being driven into Windsor Castle.
The celebrations take place across a four-day bank holiday starting on Thursday.
Trooping The Colour is the first event, when thousands are expected in central London for the Queen’s Birthday Parade and the accompanying pomp and pageantry.
The Queen will later appear on the palace balcony for a traditional RAF flypast.
On Thursday evening, 2,000 towns, villages, and cities will light beacons together as one is lit at Buckingham Palace at 9.45pm.
Friday will see a service of thanksgiving for the Queen at St Paul’s Cathedral.
There will be no ceremonial journey to the service, with Her Majesty opting not to scale the steep steps – using an alternative entrance instead.
A reception will be held afterwards at the Guildhall.
The Queen’s love of horses is well known and on Saturday she will go to Derby Day at Epsom Downs racecourse in Surrey.
The Derby is the only one of the five flat races the Queen hasn’t won with one of her horses. She is due to be greeted with a guard of honour of up to 40 of her past and present jockeys.
Later that day, 22,000 people will attend the Platinum Party at Buckingham Palace.
Stars out in force for the Queen
A concert will start at 8pm on Saturday and see the return of rock band Queen, whose singer Brian May performed on the roof of Buckingham Palace for the previous Party at the Palace in 2002.
Sir Elton John will feature in a pre-recorded performance, with the stars performing live including Alicia Keys, Nile Rodgers and Andrea Bocelli.
Duran Duran, Hans Zimmer, Ella Eyre, Craig David, Mabel, Elbow and George Ezra will also be there, as well as the UK’s recent Eurovision star Sam Ryder.
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Jubilee celebrations conclude on Sunday afternoon with a huge pageant parade in central London.
Along a 3km route from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace, an army of 10,000 volunteers, dancers, musicians, and members of the military will tell the story of her 70-year reign.
Around 150 “national treasures” are taking part, with names including Gary Lineker, Bill Bailey, Alan Titchmarsh, Sir Cliff Richard and Torvill and Dean.
The Queen is expected to again appear on the palace balcony as the public and the assembled stars sing the national anthem, led by Ed Sheeran.
