The Queen tonight walked to her seat at the first of her Platinum Jubilee celebrations where an all-star lineup including Dame Helen Mirren, Tom Cruise and Katherine Jenkins performed alongside equestrian, military and musical talent from all over the world.

Her Majesty, 96, was greeted with a standing ovation at Windsor Castle and was all smiles as she made her way to her seat in the royal box, flanked by Simon Brooks-Ward, 45 – a Territorial Army officer and friend of the royals.

There was continued applause in the stands as the Queen eased herself down to watch the ceremony, entitled A Gallop Through History, with the help of a walking stick – allaying health fears over her mobility.

The monarch wore a large grey pashmina, cardigan and embellished pastel blue dress, accessorised with pearl earrings and a matching necklace, black loafers and a handbag.

She was joined by the Earl and Countess of Wessex for the show that reflected her life-long passion for horses. A tri-service guard of honour featuring the Coldstream Guards, RAF Regiment and Royal Navy was also in place for the Queen’s arrival which was signalled by the National Anthem being played by military musicians. 

Phillip Schofield and Julie Etchingham hosted the much-anticipated show staged close to Windsor Castle – the same location as Her Majesty’s Golden Jubilee, Diamond Jubilee and 90th birthday.

During the televised event, Prince Charles said about his mother, The Queen: ‘[She has always] Coped with so many different challenges and always being there in a remarkable way.’ 

The ceremony was staged by the Royal Windsor Horse Show which has been welcoming spectators for the past three days including the monarch who spent part of her Friday touring the show grounds after earlier missing the State Opening of Parliament.   

Dame Helen Mirren, 76, and Tom Cruise, 59, led the theatrical production, which was broadcast open-air despite the rainy weather. 

Hollywood A-lister Cruise, who appeared to be mobbed by fans as he arrived for the production, said it is ‘a real honour and privilege’ to be a part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in Windsor.

He said: ‘What she has accomplished is historic. She has met presidents, world leaders, people from all walks of life. Not just Americans, but the world knows the dignity, devotion and kindness, that is what I have always felt about her. Someone that understands her position and has held it through a history that’s just been extraordinary the past 70 years.’

Speaking about the late Duke of Edinburgh, he added: ‘I was at a charity event that I was asked to speak at, and I was talking about pilots – he was telling me a wonderful story about how he landed a helicopter in Buckingham Palace during the coronation. He’s amazing.’ 

Dame Helen, who won an Oscar for her portrayal of the Queen in the film of the same name, played Queen Elizabeth I as the show began by chronicling the events of the first Elizabethan age from the attempted invasion of the Spanish Armada to leading figures of the day like William Shakespeare. 

The Herald, played by Omid Djalili, narrated the performance and took viewers through time with each act reflecting on key moments in history, including Elizabeth I’s Tilbury Speech and James I and the Gunpowder Plot.

Adjoa Andoh, who plays Lady Danbury in the Netflix period drama Bridgerton, also had a role, as did Homeland actor Damian Lewis and Doc Martin star Martin Clunes. Dame Joan Collins and comedy duo Ant and Dec also appeared on film to pay tribute. 

The Commonwealth and the four nations of the United Kingdom were celebrated, and there was military and equestrian displays from around the world including Azerbaijan, India, Oman, France, Norway, Switzerland, and Trinidad and Tobago.

Music for the evening was provided by a 75-piece orchestra, with special performances from Keala Settle, Gregory Porter and Katherine Jenkins.

Other guests included Andrew Lloyd Webber, Ant and Dec, Dame Joan Collins and Sir David Jason who each paid tribute to the Queen’s 70 years of service.

Meanwhile, The Queen appeared to enjoy Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force’s steel drum display of Abba classic Dancing Queen during her Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

The troupe, dressed in white suits with green helmets, played a rhythmic version of the classic disco anthem which appeared to amuse the Queen, who was wrapped in a blue shawl with a blanket laid across her.

The monarch, who is celebrating 70 years on the throne, later clapped wildly after a drum-off between the Top Secret Drum Corps, who played at her 90th birthday celebrations, and the Royal Marines.

The display included juggling and twirling of drum sticks which later were set alight.

Cruise introduced what he said was ‘one of the most enthralling, thrilling, heart-in-mouth displays’ as he announced a performance by The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery.

He said: ‘It takes huge courage and discipline to do what they do, galloping with guns that were fired in the battles of the First World War, weighing one-and-a-half tonnes, with no brakes. The drive demonstrates absolute trust between horse and rider.’

The crowd clapped in time to the music as an orchestra played and the horses galloped around the arena.

The Queen appeared enthralled, showing gleeful smiles as her own horses were led around the open-air arena in Windsor to celebrate her Platinum Jubilee.

TV presenter Alan Titchmarsh said: ‘For 70 years there has been one constant heartbeat of this nation, and that heart belongs to Her Majesty The Queen.

‘As commander and chief of the Armed Forces, head of the Commonwealth, leader of the nation we are proud to live in. We sometimes forget that our head of state is actually a person, feels as we do, enjoys the things we do, and is very much a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother as well as being our monarch.’

Later on the evening, the ceremony paid tribute to the late Duke of Edinburgh and his ‘love of carriage driving’ as his grand-daughter Lady Louise Windsor drove his exercise carriage around the arena – as the monarch appeared to look emotional.

Titchmarsh added: ‘One of Her Majesty’s personal pleasures is horses and ponies in all their guises.

‘One thing the Queen takes great happiness from is her family’s involvement in her love, whether it be racing, eventing, showing rare breeds or just riding out in Windsor great park.’ 

Cruise previously said he is looking forward to appearing in an equestrian extravaganza alongside a star-studded cast to honour the Queen’s 70-year reign. He was also positive about the weather, saying it ‘will be dry’ for the Queen.

Singer Katherine Jenkins described being part of the Platinum Jubilee celebration called A Gallop Through History as a ‘massive honour’ and said it would be an opportunity to ‘show our deep gratitude’ to the monarch for her decades of service

Looking tanned and relaxed, Cruise strode past spectators at the Royal Windsor Horse Show, which is hosting the performance, but when spotted happily posed for selfies.

Asked if he was looking forward to the show, where he is expected to announce an element of the performance, Cruise replied ‘absolutely’. 

Jazz singer Gregory Porter was also spotted making his way backstage and joked he had not met the Queen and had only ‘waved’ at her. 

Jenkins, who will sing at the end of the show, said: ‘It’s so amazing to be part of today, the kick-off to the Platinum Jubilee celebrations. 

‘It’s a massive honour, of course, to be invited to sing for Her Majesty at any time, but I think especially for the show this evening. 

‘I’m a massive fan of hers. I think she’s, you know, so incredible, such a great role model and it’s nice to have the opportunity to all come together and show our deep gratitude for all that she’s done for the country and the Commonwealth.’ 

Comedian Omid Djalili, who will play a character called The Herald, as part of Sunday evening’s performance, said it is a ‘real honour’ to perform. 

He said he believed the event was likely to spark pride in everyone from royalists to republicans, due to the level of admiration people have for the Queen. 

He said: ‘I think anyone watching this show, even if they’re a staunch republican or if they’re a royalist, they will feel pride in being British. 

‘And I think there’s no denying, you know, especially having seen The Crown, you can’t not feel affection for a woman who came on the throne and then said, ‘I promise however long I live, be it long or short, that I will serve my people and serve my country’ and the fact that she’s done that, even when people have behaved badly all around her, she has been very steadfast and very true to her word. 

‘So from a human point of view, you have to respect that – that she’s done everything that she said in the last 70 years.’ 

It comes after the Queen was pictured at her first public appearance since missing the State Opening of Parliament on Friday. 

Her Majesty was back on her feet and brimming with excitement as she visited the Royal Windsor Horse Show – one of her favourite events of the year – despite ongoing mobility problems.

The monarch, wearing sunglasses, pink lipstick and dressed casually in a white blouse and dark cardigan, looked in good health and spirits as she watched her horse Balmoral Leia compete at the show that marks the beginning of her official Platinum Jubilee celebrations. 

Her Majesty was clapped and cheered as she arrived in her Range Rover and wound down her window to chat animatedly to fellow festival-goers having never missed the event in the past 79 years.

The Royal Windsor Horse Show crowds looked equally thrilled to see her at the event also beloved by her husband of 73 years, Prince Philip, who died last April at the age of 99.

After missing the Queen’s Speech on Tuesday on doctor’s orders as she struggles to walk or stand for long periods, Her Majesty initially chose to stay in the passenger seat of her Range Rover, where she spoke to passers-by and watched horses in the parade ring.

And after an hour or so, with the aid of a stick, she walked slowly around 30ft to her seat in the grandstand between her son Prince Edward and Penny Knatchbull, Countess Mountbatten of Burma. And the Queen looked pleased as punch to be there. 

Edward’s wife Sophie, Countess of Wessex, was also there to support the monarch, whose highland pony won first place, securing her a trophy. Her Majesty also watched with pride as her granddaughter Lady Louise Windsor, driving the Duke of Edinburgh’s carriage, led the Fell Pony Society centenary parade. 

Shortly afterwards the Queen walked unaided to her Range Rover, waving to cheering crowds as she headed back to Windsor Castle. 

The monarch was last seen in public when she attended a service commemorating the life of her late husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, in March with senior royals and a congregation of hundreds.

She reached her Platinum Jubilee in February, overcame a bout of Covid after testing positive that month, and celebrated her 96th birthday on April 21 privately at her Sandringham estate.

Last October, she spent a night in hospital and over the following three months was under doctors’ orders to only conduct light duties so missed a number of prominent events.

The Queen has been using a walking stick in public since she attended a service marking the centenary of the Royal British Legion last October.

It came as this week the Queen dramatically pulled out of the State Opening of Parliament for the first time in 59 years because of her increasing mobility issues. Prince Charles read her speech for the first time, accompanied by Prince William, who had never attended before.

And it has been revealed that Beatrice and Edo, as well as Princess Eugenie, 32, and her husband Jack Brooskbank, along with several other royals, won’t make an appearance on the balcony of Buckingham Palace during the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations. 

The balcony appearance, which is often seen as the centrepiece of major royal occasions, including Trooping the Colour and weddings, usually sees the Queen’s extended family gather to watch a flypast and is a rare chance for fans to see the entire extended family together.

Following his ejection from public life, after settling a civil court case in America over allegations of sexual abuse against Virginia Giuffre (which he vehemently denies), it was inconceivable that Beatrice and Eugenie’s father Prince Andrew would be given a spot. 

Despite earlier claims that the Queen offered Prince Harry and Meghan Markle a space on the platform, they too have been left off the list, although they quickly announced today that they will be in London for the celebrations with their two children. 

However, in paring the list down to just 16 people to avoid potential diplomatic pitfalls, the Queen has been forced to omit a number of well-liked family members including her much-loved grandchildren and their families. 

Her cousins, including Prince Michael of Kent, and their families, with whom the Queen enjoys a warm relationship are also out in the cold, with a total of at least 34 royals absent from the balcony. 

The final balcony lineup will boast the Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall; the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their children; the Earl and Countess of Wessex and their children; the Princess Royal and Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence; the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester; the Duke of Kent, and Princess Alexandra.

The Queen’s other adult grandchildren, Peter Philips and Zara Tindall have been excluded with their families, even though their mother Princess Anne and stepfather Sir Timothy Laurence will join the Queen.  

In a formal statement about the decision, Buckingham Palace said: ‘After careful consideration, The Queen has decided this year’s traditional Trooping the Colour 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.’ 

There are exceptions, however. Prince Anne’s husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, who is not a working royal, and the Queen’s granchildren Lady Louise and James, Viscount Severn, and her great-grandchildren George, Charlotte and Louis are included.

The Palace spokesman added: ‘The Cambridge and Wessex children are also expected to appear as is Sir Tim Laurence, who the Queen is happy to attend as a frequent attendee and support for the Princess Royal on official engagements.’ 

The announcement follows reports that her Majesty herself may not appear on the balcony, due to the 96-year-old’s limited mobility.

It is believed that aides are working on a ‘plan B’, with an insider saying: ‘It could still happen but it is by no means guaranteed that we will see the Queen on the balcony during the Jubilee.’ 

While recent balcony appearances have been more focused on senior members of the Firm, normally, there are no restrictions on which family members are present for Trooping of the Colour, the Queen’s official birthday. 

The Queen looks emotional during Platinum Jubilee celebration as her granddaughter Lady Louise pays tribute to Prince Philip, driving the late Duke’s carriage during moving display

By Maria Chiorando for MailOnline

The Queen was seen looking emotional at the Platinum Jubilee celebration near Windsor Castle this evening, as a moving tribute was paid to Prince Philip who died last year.

Her Majesty’s granddaughter Lady Louise, daughter of Prince Edward and his wife Sophie, led the tribute, driving Philip’s carriage around the arena during the emotional procession at the finale of the ‘Gallop Through History Platinum Jubilee’ event, which was staged by the Royal Windsor Horse Show.

The tribute was particularly poignant, as the Queen’s 18-year-old granddaughter shares a passion for carriage driving with her beloved grandfather, who was instrumental in helping to establish it as a sport in Britain. 

Carriage driving was one of Prince Philip’s favourite past-times since the 1970s, and he raced carriages near Norfolk before going on to represent Britain at several world and European championships. 

Since inheriting her interest in the activity from the Duke of Edinburgh, Lady Louise is regularly seen carriage driving in Windsor, and at competitive events, including last month’s British Indoor Carriage Driving Championships. 

The tribute came near the end of the night’s entertainment, which saw ITV hosts Phillip Schofield and Julie Etchingham deliver the event to the nation from an on-site studio hub from inside the grounds of Windsor Castle. 

Well known faces including Lord Lloyd Webber, Ant & Dec, Dame Joan Collins, Sir Mo Farah, Dame Maureen Lipman, Sir David Jason, Dame Kelly Holmes, Moira Stuart and Sir Trevor McDonald will also pay tribute to the Queen’s 70 years of service.

The gala featured more than 1,300 performers, 500 horses, children’s choirs, a 75-piece orchestra and stars from stage and screen.

Among the entertainment was musical performances from Keala Settle, the singer and actress from The Greatest Showman film, and opera singer Katherine Jenkins.

In addition, different eras of British history were enacted onstage as part of the show. Dame Helen Mirren, who has played both Queen Elizabeths on TV and film, reprised her role as the Tudor Monarch.

Meanwhile, some of the Queen’s horses and ponies also took to the arena alongside carriages from the Royal Mews, led by Lady Louise driving Prince Philip’s carriage. 

Prince Philip spoke about how he took up carriage driving when he stopped playing polo at the age of 50, during a May 2017 interview.

He said: ‘I was looking round to see what next, I didn’t know what there was available. And I suddenly thought, well, we’ve got horses and carriages so why don’t I have a go.

‘So I borrowed four horses from the stables in London, took them to Norfolk and practised and thought – why not?’

ROBERT HARDMAN: Family, military and 600 horses…what a joyous gallop through the Queen’s favourite things 

When she comes to look back on the numerous events great and small in honour of the first Platinum Jubilee in British history, it’s a safe bet that last night’s emotional spectacular in her own back garden will be near the top of the Queen’s list of happy memories.

She braved the night air for her first nocturnal engagement of the year (an outdoor one, too).

And, well past 10.30pm, she was very clearly continuing to enjoy herself enormously – receiving a thumping three cheers before heading home.

For here in Windsor Castle’s Home Park, she was treated to a fast and frantic two-hour festival of three of her favourite things: Family, Armed Forces and horses (more than 600 of them).

Billed as a ‘Gallop Through History’, this boisterous tableau – with a 1,300-strong cast, including several Hollywood A-listers – placed the emphasis firmly on the gallop rather than the history.

With light-hearted nods to the Spanish Armada, the Gunpowder Plot, Nelson and the Commonwealth (but not a squeak about the British Empire), this was primarily about four-legged fun and the Queen’s unrivalled equestrian credentials.

At the end, however, there were two very poignant moments: The arrival of the Queen’s own horses, led by Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor, her 18-year-old granddaughter, at the helm of the late Duke of Edinburgh’s beloved driving carriage and drawn by two of his favourite ponies.

The other was the appearance of the Queen’s Hollywood alter ego, Dame Helen Mirren – dressed as the monarch’s Tudor forebear.

Having won an Oscar for her role as Elizabeth II in The Queen, here she completed the full set by playing Elizabeth I paying tribute to her 21st century namesake.

‘For all these years you have carried our nation,’ declared a full-throated Dame Helen (looking every inch the part), ‘You have been at its heart, its drumbeat. You have given us purpose and when situations have been challenging your hope, guidance and leadership have been unswerving.

‘I therefore speak on behalf of a grateful nation and Commonwealth when I give you our sincere and most loving thanks.’

The audience roared their approval.

Screened live on ITV, the event frequently brought the 5,000-strong crowd to its feet.

At times, they weren’t sure which way to look – over at Hollywood stars Damian Lewis and Tom Cruise narrating on one side of the arena or over at the Royal Box on the other.

There was certainly no concealing the contentment on the face of the guest of honour.

As the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force Steel Steel Orchestra belted out Abba’s Dancing Queen, cheers and laughter echoed from the Royal Box, and right across the park.

It is less than a week since the Queen missed the State Opening of Parliament for the first time in nearly 60 years due to what the Palace has called ‘episodic mobility problems’.

Fortunately, she had been spared any of these last night. These two events were entirely different, of course.

A trip to Westminster to process in state, to sit before both Houses of Parliament and to deliver a speech on live television is a very different challenge from sitting under a rug with old friends and family watching the thrills and drama of the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery performing their famous Musical Drive (even if she has seen it a thousand times before).

Here, too, was everything from a team of huskies and daredevil Azerbaijani acrobat riders to a vast Union-embracing medley of Scottish dancing, Welsh singing and Irish and English ponies.

Besides, at the age of 96, one is fully entitled to decide on the day how one is feeling before leaving the house.

The crowds were euphoric from the start at the mere glimpse of her Range Rover on giant screens. Ovation followed ovation as she took a lift to her seat. Thunderous applause sent her home at the end.

The organisers had arranged a spot towards the rear of the Royal Box (so that Her Majesty could leave early and without a fuss if she wanted – though she certainly did not). There was also overhead heating making it all delightfully (if unroyally) snug.

The pageant was the rousing finale to the great event of the past few days, the Royal Windsor Horse Show.

One of the largest and most prestigious shows of its kind in Europe, it has also always had a homely feel, with plenty of Pony Club capers at one end as well as top international showjumping at the other. This is where, in a life of great honours and accolades, the Queen won her very first prize – for anything.

In the summer of 1944, shortly before D-Day, both Princess Elizabeth, then 18, and Princess Margaret, 14, competed here and came top in their respective carriage-driving classes.

Margaret drove ‘Gipsy’ in a utility cart while Lilibet drove ‘Hans’ in an open pony-chaise which had been used by Queen Victoria. The two princesses had only been carriage driving for a month and their proud parents were there to cheer them on.

For most of his life, the Duke of Edinburgh was the very active patron/president of this event, too.

Little wonder, then, that the arrival of Lady Louise, driving the duke’s carriage, was such a powerful and poignant moment. As another celebrity narrator (by now we were on to Alan Titchmarsh) voiced the nation’s appreciation for the late duke, one or two of those around me were in tears.

Here, too, were so many from the Queen’s own stables – two of her shire horses, a pair of Irish draught horses and the Arab stallion given to her by the King of Bahrain and umpteen more.

Duty aside, if there has been one thread which has run through the life (as well as the reign) of our extraordinary Queen, it is surely horses.

What better way, then, to kick off this great Jubilee summer than by saluting her with hundreds of them?