YOUR GUIDE TO TODAY’S GRAND FINALE

2022-06-05 -

AFTER a fantastic three days, the Platinum Jubilee celebrations reach their climax this afternoon with a starstudded pageant. Live coverage on BBC1 starts at 1pm and you can follow the proceedings with our minute-byminute guide...

2.30-2.31 Prologue: Once Upon A Time…

The Pageant begins by looking back to the Queen’s 1953 Coronation. Big screens show film footage from the time while the bells of Westminster Abbey ring out.

2.31-3.04pm Act One: For Queen and Country

The Mounted Band of the Household Cavalry leads the Gold State Coach to Buckingham Palace. The Queen appears to be inside the carriage thanks to a digital image created from Coronation footage. The procession features marching bands, members of the Armed Forces and Commonwealth representatives.

3.04pm-3.43pm Act Two: The Time of Our Lives

A journey through the Queen’s seven decades on the throne featuring a volunteer cast of thousands. Olympic cyclists, including Chris Hoy, Laura Kenny and Jason Kenny, lead a ‘peloton’ along with stars from Strictly Come Dancing. Open-topped double-decker buses then introduce each of the seven decades.

The 1950s Vintage motorcycles, Morris Minors, jive dancing and Bill and Ben the Flower Pot Men will trigger fond memories for many. Land Rovers used at Balmoral are to lead a group of stars, which includes Bonnie Langford, Cliff Richard, Gloria Hunniford, Hayley Mills, Katherine Jenkins and Paul Gambaccini.

The 1960s Doctor Who, mods and a bunch of hippies will be swinging in for a good time, alongside E-type Jaguars, Union Jack Minis, cars from James Bond and a fleet of vintage Vespas. Celebrities on view include Alan Titchmarsh, Anthea Turner, Basil Brush, Peter Purves, Tony Blackburn and Valerie Singleton.

The 1970s Now it’s time to get groovy with glam rockers, punks, Northern Soul dancers and Abba. While Space Hoppers bounce past, two ice cream vans will be dishing out lollies to the crowd, followed by the cast of Mamma Mia performing down The Mall. The supporting cast includes Angela Rippon, Chris Tarrant, Esther Rantzen, John Craven, Johnny Ball, Lorraine Chase, Noddy Holder and Stephanie Beacham.

The 1980s Cushty! It’s the era of Only Fools And Horses, new romantics, goths, break dancers and PacMan. They’re accompanied by Torvill and Dean, Daley Thompson, Eamonn Holmes, Gary Lineker, Pete Waterman, Pudsey, Sharron Davies, Simon Callow, Tessa Sanderson, Timmy Mallett and Tony Hadley.

The 1990s Get ready for Britpop, Ford Cortinas, Girl Power and supermodels. ‘Dames in Jags’ proceed down The Mall with Arlene Phillips, Darcey Bussell, Floella Benjamin, Joan Collins, Twiggy, Zandra Rhodes and Prue Leith among the passengers. Courtney Love, Idris Elba, Laura Bailey, Patsy Tilbury, Vanessa-Mae and Sam McKnight also appear.

The 2000s All eyes now on the Notting Hill Carnival, festivalgoers, drum ’n’ bass music, plus a troop of children’s characters ranging from Paddington Bear to Fireman Sam and the Teletubbies. Personalities joining in the fun include Brian Conley, Dave Myers, Deborah Meaden, Kelly Holmes,

Heston Blumenthal, Gok Wan, Martin Lewis and Mo Farah.

The 2010s A celebration of youth activists and diversity. On reaching the Queen Victoria Memorial, the procession is to briefly stop to enact a demonstration. Celebrities include Joe Wicks, Max Whitlock and Professor Green.

3.43pm-4.32pm Act Three: Let’s Celebrate

Separated into 12 chapters, this tells the story of the Queen’s reign and her personal interests, featuring 2,500 people from around the country.

1. Princess and the Dragon – a young princess dances with a 21ft puppet, a symbol of power and wisdom.

2. The Queen’s Beasts – creatures representing the nations of the UK come to life.

3. The Wedding Party – a

Bollywood dance of 250 participants inspired by the Queen’s wedding to the Duke of Edinburgh.

4. The Coronation – an Afro-Caribbean interpretation of the Queen’s big day in 1953.

5. From Tiny Acorns – Maypole dancers skip around a giant oak tree representing the diverse communities of the four nations.

6. Jubilation – inspired by traditional street parties and a Guy Fawkes carnival in Somerset.

7. Have Faith – a celebration of religious diversity.

8. A Sharing of Gifts – celebrating the Queen’s relationship with the Commonwealth.

9. River of Hope – 200 dancers from

12 schools perform with silk flags, inspired by the natural environment.

10. The Queen’s Favourites – quirky British

humour is celebrated with a 20ft puppet of Godiva, giant sculptures and puppets of the Queen’s favourite horses and corgis.

11. Unity – a breathtaking display of BMX stunts and acrobatics.

12. The Thank You Dance – acknowledging the Queen’s 70 years of service to country and the commitment shown by key workers during the pandemic

4.52pm–5.05pm Act Four: Happy and Glorious

The pageant concludes with a performance from Ed Sheeran accompanied by imagery of the Queen’s life with the Duke of Edinburgh, and finished with a singalong of the National Anthem. The crowds are allowed to fill The Mall and the Queen Victoria Memorial.

Finally, there is a joyous performance of Dancing Queen from the cast of Mamma Mia.