The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Corgi puppets to cause chaos in royal finale
Amusical tribute led by Ed Sheeran, puppet corgis causing chaos along The Mall and a giant 3D wire bust of the Queen are to feature in the “People’s Pageant” – the carnival finale of the monarch’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
Set to be watched by up to a billion across the globe, more than 10,000 people will be involved in staging the spectacle, including the military, more than 6,000 volunteers, performers and key workers and 2,500 members of the public.
The £15 million pageant is being “made by the people for the people” and is a “once in a lifetime” experience, organisers said.
It will take place against the backdrop of Buckingham Palace and its surrounding streets on the afternoon of Sunday June 5 – the last day of the four-day bank holiday weekend marking the Queen’s 70 years on the throne.
Highlights will include a giant oak tree flanked with maypole dancers, a huge moving wedding cake blaring out Bollywood hits, a towering dragon and three-storey-high beasts.
At one stage, the Queen will be imagined in her younger days with a 20ft puppet of a young princess, surrounded by a pack of mischievous puppet corgis, which will create “humorous chaos”.
A number of “national treasures” will take part, with Ed Sheeran leading a tribute to the Queen.
Director David Zolkwer would not give further details, saying organisers want to “hold some surprises back for the day”.
There is speculation members of the royal family may make an appearance on the Buckingham Palace balcony at the finale – a possible moment for the Duke of Sussex, if he
attends – but organisers would not be drawn on the rumours.
Rosanna Machado, chief executive of the pageant, said: “We are liaising with the royal household about involvement of all members of the royal family and details will be released in due course.”
Sheeran said he is looking forward to
performing, adding: “I’m proud to be part of the celebration and it’s going to be a great opportunity to bring everyone together.”
Other celebrities confirmed to be taking part include Sir Cliff Richard, Dame Shirley Bassey, Kate Moss, Jeremy Irons, Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean, Gary Lineker, Alan Titchmarsh and Gok Wan.