Party Day

Monday 4th June was the day of the much anticipated concert outside Buckingham Palace, but before the music began the lucky ticket holders were treated to a garden party in the grounds of the Palace.

Royal Chef Mark Flanagan and Heston Blumenthal show us the contents of the wicker hamper. Photo: PA

The tickets to the concert were issued by a public ballot and the lucky winners were each given a special picnic box which had been created by the chef Heston Blumenthal with an emphasis on the celebration of British produce. The wicker baskets contained Scottish smoked salmon, a modern version of coronation chicken, strawberry crumble crunch, cupcakes and cheeseboard with biscuits and chutney. To wash this down there was a choice of Moet & Chandon Champagne, Cobra beer or Hildon's water. A very thoughtful addition was a waterproof poncho, either for weather protection or use as something to sit on.

Photo: Reuters

Having enjoyed the carnival atmosphere in the Queen's back garden, the 10,000 strong crowd took their seats to enjoy the very best selection of entertainment from the last six decades.  The evening opened with Robbie Williams and his special orchestra doing Let Me Entertain You and was brought to a close by the timeless Sir Paul McCartney, who invited the enormous cast of world famous stars to join him for the final number. Stevie Wonder,Sir Elton John, Shirley Bassey, Sir Tom Jones, Annie Lennox, Kylie Minnogue and Jessie J were just a few of the legends to take the stage, alongside the organiser, Gary Barlow.

The Royal Box thoroughly enjoy the evening
Photo: Daily Mail

One of the highlights was the performance by the the group Madness on the roof of the Palace, accompanied by the most amazing laser mapped projections which changed the facade of the Palace into a block of flats, a terraced street, London taxis and buses, scenes with Henry VII and a surreal dolls house.  It really was creative MADNESS!

The Palace transformed into a terraced street with passing taxi, whilst Madness play in the top right!
Photo:  BBC

Photo: Daily Mail

The evening ended with a tribute to the Queen from her son Prince Charles, who also encouraged the crowds to send a roar of goodwill to his father Prince Philip who had been taken to hospital with a bladder infection.  That was the loudest cheer of the evening!

Photo: Wenn.com

The Queen then stepped forward to light the national jubilee giant beacon by placing a crystal glass 'diamond' into a pod, sparking the ignition to the beacon.  This was topped off with an amazing firework display, whilst the projections continued across the front of the Palace and a rousing chorus of Land of Hope and Glory sang out across the city.

Photo: Reuters