Tom Cruise commends Queen’s ‘tremendous dignity’ – follow live

The Queen is rarely seen without a black handbag – and it’s filled with all sorts of surprising items.

Her Majesty’s go-to is a patent top handle bag from Launer, a heritage British luxury handbag and leather small goods brand. The Queen reportedly owns more than 200 Launer bags and her favourite styles are the black leather Royale, black patent leather Traviata and a third custom handbag.

According to Phil Dampier, author of What’s in the Queen’s handbag: And other royal secrets, she carries all manner of things, including dog treats.

Read Kate Ng’s full report here:

The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall will embark on a three-day tour of Canada this week as they represent the Queen in the Commonwealth nation.

The trip, which will run from Tuesday to Thursday, will focus on climate change, indigenous reconciliation and efforts to connect with the Canadian public.

The visit forms part of a series by senior royals to some of the 14 Commonwealth countries outside the UK where the Queen is also head of state.

Previous visits have not gone to plan, however, with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Earl and Countess of Wessex facing protests in the Caribbean calling on the monarchy to apologise and pay reparations for its role in slavery throughout the region.

Joanna Whitehead has the full story:

Royal fans have taken to social media to share their delighted reactions at the Queen’s appearance at Windsor Castle on Sunday night.

The 96-year-old monarch attended “A Gallop Through History” as part of the Royal Windsor Horse Show, which saw an all-star line-up including Dame Helen Mirren, Tom Cruise and Katherine Jenkins.

Photos from the event show the Queen smiling as she watches the performance, and chatting to fellow spectators.

Fans of the monarch have reacted to the images on social media, with one writing: “It made my heart swell and eyes water to see her enjoying herself. We need to treasure these moments now.”

There are several events set to take place over the Platinum Jubilee weekend, including Trooping the Colour, a Service of Thanksgiving, and the Platinum Party at the Palace.

Other events will include the Derby at Epson Downs, a Platinum Jubilee Pageant, and the Platinum Jubilee Beacons.

Kate Ng has the full schedule here:

To celebrate the Queen’s 70th year as Britain’s monarch, Laura Hampson will speak to royal experts Jennie Bond and Sean O’Grady about Her Majesty’s most memorable moments, the biggest scandals she has faced, and how she redefined what it means to serve one’s country.

This virtual event will take place on Zoom on Thursday 19 May at 6.30pm.

You can find out more about the event here:

Tom Cruise has opened up about his involvement in the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations, saying that he admires her “tremendous dignity” and “devotion”.

The Top Gun star was just one of the celebrities present at the musical and theatrical event “A Gallop Through History” which took place at Windsor Castle on Sunday evening.

“She’s just a woman that I greatly admire. I think she is someone who has tremendous dignity and I admire her devotion,” he said.

Joanna Whitehead has the full story here:

The Queen received a standing ovation during a Platinum Jubilee show on Sunday evening.

As Joanna Whitehead reports, the 96-year-old monarch enjoyed a cast of entertainers , including Tom Cruise, Dame Helen Mirren, Damian Lewis and Katherine Jenkins, as part of the musical and theatrical event “A Gallop Through History” closing the four-day Royal Windsor Horse Show.

The Queen clearly enjoyed the show and at its finale, when her own horses and ponies were led around the open-air arena, appeared enthralled, beaming as the animals passed the royal box.

Read the full story here:

The Queen’s Jubilee celebrations are fast approaching, with Britons eagerly anticipating a four-day weekend next month.

The Platinum Jubilee marks Queen Elizabeth II’s 70th year on the throne – an achievement Her Majesty reached on 6 February this year.

The bank holiday weekend will see four days of celebrations, with events including Trooping the Colour, a Platinum Jubilee concert, a pageant, and a Service of Thanksgiving.

The Jubilee celebrations will start on Thursday 2 June and end on Sunday 5 June.

Here’s everything you need to know about when the Jubilee is happening, as well as which members of the royal family will be in attendance: