Category Archives: Queen’s platinum jubilee

‘Pivotal’ Māori leader Tipene O’Regan made member of Order of New Zealand

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Champion of Māori rights honoured by Queen for life of work dedicated to improving ‘economic, cultural and social standing of Māori communities’

A Māori leader, educator and historian who has dedicated his life to the betterment of Māori and was instrumental in developing Māori fishing interests has been awarded New Zealand’s highest honour.

Tā (Sir) Tipene O’Regan, 83, has been made a member of the Order of New Zealand as part of the Queen’s birthday honours list. O’Regan was awarded the distinction alongside Dame Silvia Cartwright, a former governor general and the first woman in New Zealand to become a high court judge.

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Queen’s platinum jubilee 2022: Monarch ‘humbled and deeply touched’ by celebrations – live

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‘While I may not have attended every event in person, my heart has been with you all,’ Queen’s statement says

Grant Shapps has said people are “over-interpreting” the boos directed at Boris Johnson when the prime minister attended a service on Friday for the Queen’s platinum jubilee.

People are gathering for a Big Jubilee Lunch on Windsor’s Long Walk as part of the platinum jubilee celebrations.

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As the jubilee bunting comes down, what next for the Queen’s reign?

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Analysis: The Queen’s age means a reduction in duties, and succession planning is well under way

As the bunting comes down after the long weekend of platinum jubilee celebrations, many in Buckingham Palace will breathe a sigh of relief that the increasingly frail 96-year-old Queen made it to the extra bank holiday declared in her honour.

But behind the scenes, succession planning is well under way. It was ever thus. There are few other jobs in public life where the incumbent knows who will replace them before they even start, but that has been the Queen’s reality since she gave birth to Prince Charles in 1948.

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‘We’ve got other things to worry about’: former colonies react to platinum jubilee

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In Africa, celebrations in honour of the Queen stir nostalgia in some, resentment in others

The jubilee has met with a muted response in much of sub-Saharan Africa, with commentators evoking the troubled history of the British empire, London’s diminished influence and the distraction of deepening economic problems on the continent to explain the apparent apathy.

Buckingham Palace listed 18 official beacons lit in commemoration across Africa last week, and Seychelles president Wavel Ramkalawan described the Queen as “a remarkable global personality whose legacy transcends national borders” who was “loved and respected by the entire world”. But such sentiments are not universal.

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Prince Charles pays tribute to the Queen’s ‘lifetime of selfless service’

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Prince of Wales praises his mother’s ability to ‘bring us together’ at Platinum Jubilee Party at the Palace

The Prince of Wales and the Duke of Cambridge paid tribute to the Queen – and environmental activists across the world – in speeches at a concert at Buckingham Palace.

Speaking on the third day of a four-day celebration to mark the Queen’s platinum jubilee at the BBC’s Platinum Party at the Palace, Prince Charles began his address “Your Majesty, Mummy”.

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Labour says it is now the true party of patriotism and British values

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‘We’re standing up for UK institutions,’ says shadow minister, pointing to booing of Boris Johnson

Labour has staked a bold claim to be the true party of patriotism and the best of British values, as four days of nationwide celebrations to mark the Queen’s platinum jubilee draw to a close on Sunday.

Senior Labour party figures said Boris Johnson – who was booed outside St Paul’s Cathedral on Friday – was no longer seen by the public as a leader who upholds the British standards of integrity, decency and honesty that the country has long been admired for across the world.

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Paddington Bear takes tea – and marmalade – with Queen in jubilee video

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Pre-recorded segment features the Queen acting opposite the CGI bear, voiced by Ben Whishaw

Paddington Bear was the secret special guest for the Queen’s platinum jubilee celebrations on Saturday night, appearing alongside the monarch in a sweet-natured video segment.

Just as she did at the 2012 London Olympics, when she appeared with Daniel Craig’s James Bond in a pre-recorded video, the Queen proved a good sport as she acted alongside the CGI bear, voiced by Ben Whishaw, who joined her at Buckingham Palace for afternoon tea.

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‘Cheeky’ Queen jokes as she congratulates Australians of the Year

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Monarch recalls ‘little pond’ in Parliament House during newly released video call made in May

The Queen displayed a “cheeky” sense of humour when she met virtually with several Australians of the Year and the country’s governor general as part of her platinum jubilee celebrations.

During the Zoom call with the six Australians, which included the recently retired wheelchair tennis player Dylan Alcott, the 96-year-old monarch remarked on the “splendid” technology which enabled the virtual meeting to take place.

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Platinum jubilee celebrations enter third day as Queen misses Epsom Derby

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Saturday’s festivities will culminate in an open-air concert for 22,000 people headlined by Diana Ross

Members of the royal family are attending events as the UK marks its third day of platinum jubilee celebrations, with Princess Anne attending the Epsom Derby on the Queen’s behalf.

Buckingham Palace announced on Friday that the monarch, 96, would pull out of attending the Epsom Derby, where she is being officially represented by her daughter. The Queen is expected to watch the event on television instead.

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Queen’s absence strikes symbolic note as royals gather at jubilee service

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Charles stands in for his mother at St Paul’s Cathedral in ceremony that pays tribute to her seven-decade reign

The symbolism of a great state service of thanksgiving for an absent Queen was not lost beneath the imposing dome of St Paul’s Cathedral. All the more so as the country was paying tribute to her seven decades of public service as Britain’s now longest-reigning monarch.

The Prince of Wales was in her stead for the formal procession through a 2,000-strong congregation of prime ministers past and present, parliamentarians, diplomats, a full squad of other royals and 400 members of the public honoured for their community work.

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Queen’s platinum jubilee 2022: Queen praised ‘for staying the course’ as royals attend St Paul’s service in her absence – live

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Latest updates: monarch misses service after experiencing ‘some discomfort’ during trooping the colour

The Archbishop of York has thanked the Queen for “staying the course”.

Stephen Cottrell said he assumed she was watching the service on television and said he was sorry she couldn’t attend.

Now we all know that the Queen likes horse racing. And, Your Majesty, I’m rather assuming perhaps you’re watching this on the television.

I don’t have any great tips for the Derby tomorrow, but since the scriptures describe life as a race set before us, let me observe that your long reign reflects the distance of Aintree rather than the sprint of Epsom, certainly less dressage than most people imagine.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.

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Tributes paid to absent Queen at jubilee service of thanksgiving

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Archbishop of York says monarch is ‘still in the saddle and we are all glad there is still more to come’

It was a service of thanksgiving for an absent Queen, a St Paul’s Cathedral celebration to mark the longest reign of any British monarch. But the person to whom it was dedicated was far away at Windsor Castle, forced to watch on television, indisposed by the mobility problems that have plagued her jubilee year.

Senior royals, parliamentarians and diplomats joined 400 members of the public honoured for key roles they have played in their communities in the 2,000-strong congregation to celebrate the 70-year reign of the Queen, a lover of horses whose time on the throne, they heard, reflected “the distance of Aintree more than the sprints of Epsom”.

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Boris Johnson booed as he arrives at St Paul’s for platinum jubilee event

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Prime minister greeted with whistles and jeers by crowd waiting at cathedral for Queen’s thanksgiving service

Boris Johnson was greeted by a chorus of boos as he arrived at the Queen’s platinum jubilee thanksgiving service on Friday morning.

Stepping out of his car when it pulled up at St Paul’s Cathedral in London with his wife, Carrie, the prime minister was met with boos and whistles by frustrated spectators.

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Unions back minimum wage submission – as it happened

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Labor government recommends minimum wage be increased in line with inflation; Anthony Albanese says stopping new gas projects ‘doesn’t reflect the needs’ of economy; new monkeypox cases reported in NSW and Victoria; nation records at least 50 Covid deaths. This blog is now closed

‘Pick up the phone and call your energy retailer’

The CEO of the Australian Energy Council, Sarah McNamara, appeared on ABC News Breakfast this morning to discuss the perfect storm the market is currently facing.

It is not a systemic market failure under way but there is a coincidence of factors occurring in the market, putting pressure on the wholesale price and that will put pressure on retail bills as well.

Most consumers won’t experience the kind of wholesale market price spikes we are seeing at the moment. That is because their retailers have hedging contracts to ensure their supply costs are smoothed out over time. However, because there is general upward pressure on prices, people are going to experience higher bills over the coming year.

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Prince Andrew to miss jubilee service with Covid

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Queen’s son will not attend service of thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral, palace says

The Duke of York has tested positive for Covid and will no longer attend the Queen’s jubilee service of thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral on Friday, Buckingham Palace said.

A palace spokesperson said: “After undertaking a routine test the duke has tested positive for Covid and with regret will no longer be attending tomorrow’s service.”

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True blue: royals show jubilee unity with Meghan on same style page

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Queen, Kate, Camilla, Meghan and younger Cambridges wear harmonious shades of blue

Most of the jubilee audience tuned in not for the trooping the colour, but to watch the royal family observe the proceedings. While the bunting and high-stepping horses trumpeted an official message of unity, the optics of the royal family were closely scrutinised for what they tell us of fraught Windsor family dynamics, of the health of the 96-year-old Queen, and of the messaging “the firm” plans to broadcast during their weekend in the spotlight.

Watching the military flypast from a Buckingham Palace balcony, the Queen wore blue and white, two of the three colours of the union flag. At the Royal Windsor horse show last month, she had dressed for comfort in a woollen shawl in place of a coat, but here she was in her customary crisp, no-nonsense, boxy tailoring.

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‘I was there when she was crowned’: royal fans pack Mall for Queen’s jubilee

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Thousands turn out in sunshine to watch trooping the colour parade kick off long weekend of celebrations

It has been 70 years since Brenda Dalton, 81, last caught a glimpse of the Queen. As a schoolgirl in Northolt, west London, she won the school ballot to watch the Queen’s coronation and saw her ride past in a golden carriage.

Standing on the Mall on Thursday morning, the retired factory worker was hoping for a second chance. “That’s why I wanted to come. I was there that day when she was crowned and I think she’s done marvellous,” Dalton said.

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Queen’s platinum jubilee to be marked by 16,000 street parties across England

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Councils say they have received a ‘huge number of applications’ to celebrate 70 years on throne

More than 16,000 street parties are expected to be held over the Queen’s platinum jubilee bank holiday weekend.

Councils across England have received a “huge number of applications” from residents to celebrate the monarch’s 70-year milestone, according to the Local Government Association (LGA).

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London Underground station staff to stage 24-hour strike on 6 June

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RMT calls out 4,000 members in protest at TfL plans to cut 600 posts to reduce costs

London Underground station staff will stage a 24-hour strike on Monday 6 June, the day after the platinum jubilee holiday weekend, in a dispute over job cuts.

The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) has called 4,000 members out on strike in protest at Transport for London’s plans to cut 600 posts to reduce costs.

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Three hospitalised after stand collapses at trooping the colour rehearsal

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Crowds evacuated following incident during rehearsal for Queen’s jubilee in London

Three people were taken to hospital after a stand reportedly collapsed when spectators rose for the national anthem during a trooping the colour rehearsal in central London.

Two others were treated at the scene by paramedics after the incident in Horse Guards Road at about 11am on Saturday, London ambulance service said.

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