Stars line-up to celebrate Queen’s Birthday Party
The Queen took to the stage at her own star-studded 92nd birthday during an action-packed showbiz extravaganza at the Royal Albert Hall.
She was introduced by host Zoe Ball and arrived alongside her son, the Prince of Wales, before taking her seat next to grandson Prince William.
She was wearing a silver and gold lame with ivory tweed, dipped waist dress, covered with buttermilk daisies, designed by Angela Kelly.
She later joined Prince Charles on stage for the show’s climax and was presented with a gift by a boy named Mason from west London, who was also celebrating his birthday.
The seven-year-old has always known he shared a birthday with the Queen and when invited to the event is said to have replied: “Would I like to go to the Queen’s birthday? Well yes, obviously!”
Speaking on stage, Charles encouraged the crowd to give the Queen – who he called “mummy” – three “unbelievably rousing cheers”.
He said: “I have a feeling that in 1948, when you were 22, you didn’t somehow expect that at the age of your 92nd birthday, to find your son in his 70th year.”
The event also saw Prince Harry, speaking for the first time in his role as president of the newly formed Queen’s Commonwealth Trust (QCT), joke that Her Majesty was “not someone who is easy to buy gifts for”.
Sir Tom Jones, Kylie Minogue, Sting andShaggy and Craig David all took to the stage as the Queen and other Royals watched on.
However, she had left her seat by the time Sting and Shaggy returned for a medley of their biggest hits, including Mr Boombastic, Angel and Every Breath You Take.
In another unusual collaboration, Frank Skinner, Ed Balls and Harry Hill performed George Formby’s signature song When I’m Cleaning Windows especially for the Queen, who is said to be a big Formby fan.
Artists from around the Commonwealth performed at the event, which topped off a week when the UK hosted 53 countries for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
The concert was organised by the Royal Commonwealth Society, of which the Queen is a patron.
It was held in aid of the QCT, a new youth charity providing a platform for inspirational youngsters in education, sport, health and the environment.
The QCT champions, funds and connects young leaders who are working hard to make a difference around the world. Prince Harry has been named president of the trust.
Speaking on stage, he said the trust was the “perfect present”.
“You dedicated your life to the service of the Commonwealth during a speech from South Africa on your 21st birthday in 1947. As we celebrate your 92nd birthday this evening, and in recognition of your incredible life of service, I am delighted to say that the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust has now been launched to support young leaders around the Commonwealth.
“This platform, in your name, will provide a platform for those working to make a difference in their communities across 53 countries.”
The Queen and members of the royal family will be guests of honour at the celebration, which is being billed as The Queen’s Birthday Party.
Prince Harry is expected to speak at the event, in his new role as president of The Queen’s Commonwealth Trust.
Organisers say the concert, coming at the end of the week when the UK hosted 53 countries for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, will have a strong Commonwealth flavour.
The Royal Commonwealth Society, which has the Queen as patron and is 150 years old this year, has put the event together.
The Queen’s Commonwealth Trust, which also has the monarch as its patron, is a youth charity working in education, sport, health and the environment.
The idea is that it helps to fund, champion and connect young leaders who are working hard to make a difference in the world by sharing their stories and inspiring others to join.