The Queen's Platinum Jubilee Celebration at Windsor Castle aired on ITV on Sunday night ahead of the monarch's official celebrations at the start of June. The star-studded event wrapped up a weekend of performances in the grounds of Windsor Castle - and Her Majesty herself was in attendance.
The Queen was honoured with a standing ovation as her Platinum Jubilee celebrations kicked off with an equestrian extravaganza featuring some of the world’s leading performers. Hosted by Phillip Schofield and Julie Etchingham, the special event aired live on ITV which featured Hollywood actors Tom Cruise and Dame Helen Mirren, once again playing a queen of England, who led the cast of entertainers who appeared in the first major event marking the Queen’s 70-year reign.
The audience, thought to be of 4,000, rose to their feet applauding and cheering when the monarch arrived at the arena close to Windsor Castle for the musical and theatrical romp across the centuries called A Gallop Through History. The performance was staged by the Royal Windsor Horse Show and has been welcoming spectators for the past three days.
READ MORE: ITV Queen's Platinum Jubilee viewers slam Tom Cruise appearance
The Queen, who turned 96 earlier this year, even had a brilliant response to Omid Djalili, who acted as the narrator for the event, who could not resist a joke and said to the monarch: "Thank you for choosing us over the State Opening of Parliament," after the head of state withdrew from attending last week and sent Prince Charles in her place.
However, those tuning in to the live coverage were unimpressed to discover that it wasn't all happening there and then and felt the broadcaster had made a 'mess' of covering the event. @wendywooto tweeted: "Why couldn’t ITV show this live on the actual nights it happened? Instead of the shoddy edited version on one night. #queensjubilee."
@BeddoesJill said: "Had been looking forward to this but what a disappointment. Its messy and boring quite frankly #queensjubilee." @CharliCollett shared: "Having to have adverts on #PlatinumJubilee Horse Show on @ITV is making it hard to follow. One minute there’s Charles II then onto nelson, then the talented Oman & Azerbaijan horses. Cutting bits then starting mid of another act. Also is it live or is it recorded? I’m confused."
@BodenJones wrote: "This #PlatinumJubilee thingy on ITV looks like a right dog's dinner. Is it live or isn't it? Are we going to have adverts inflicted on us every 10 minutes? And why the hell is Tom Cruise involved?" @michelle_moomin complained: "I've got no idea what I'm watching. Is it live or not? ITV have made a mess of this programme. It's like watching someone learning how to cut and paste for the first time. #PlatinumJubilee."
And things were made worse in viewers' eyes when they made a huge name blunder between two of its stars. @Rose4321x commented: "Since when did Martin Clunes change his name. This is dreadful #PlatinumJubilee #itv #shouldofbeentheBBC," alongside a clip of the glaring error.
@MrG48 fumed: "B***dy @itv you are ruining this showcase event. Too many unnecessary films, not enough coverage of the actua event and now calling Martin Clunes Damian Lewis #PlatinumJubilee #horseshow." @pics_and_obs wrote: "They can flash up 'Damian Lewis OBE' all they like but they can’t disguise the face that it’s Martin Clunes #PlatinumJubilee."
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.
Highlights included the Royal Cavalry of Oman who filled the arena with their display of horsemanship, which had the Queen smiling, including the sight of horses lying down on command, and the precision marching and rifle handling skills of the King’s Guard of Norway. Performers from Azerbaijan had the crowds cheering when riders performed feats as their horses galloped, from lying on the backs to doing handstands.
