The Latest Breaking News from Platinum Jubilee

The first day of the Platinum Jubilee was a marvel of pomp and pageantry not even Prince Louis was able to upstage – though he tried. Tens of thousands of people gathered to pay tribute to the Queen

Late-night appearance at Windsor Castle rounded off the start to joyful festivities

As part of the Platinum Jubilee, the lighting of the beacons is one of the main events of the year to mark the Queen’s historic 70-year rule and while the main event will be held in London, beacons will be lit in all 54 Commonwealth capitals for the first time

Beacons were lit in towns across the region, including at Titanic Belfast and the most westerly town, Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh.

People gathered in Newcastle city centre ahead of the beacons being lit at the Civic Centre

Celebrations can take place “with or without the monarchy”, they said

The One Show presenter could barely contain his excitement as he said: 'This place is going to be absolutely rocking!'

Do monarchies still matter? Britons have four days to celebrate 70 years of the country's longest reign. It's a very different United Kingdom from the one where Queen Elizabeth II first saw the light of day in 1926. What is the Platinum Jubilee all about in post-Brexit Britain?

Huge crowds converged on central London on Thursday for the start of four days of public events to mark the queen's history-making 70 years on the throne.

Russia may be deeply at odds with Britain over the invasion of Ukraine but that didn't stop some Russians in Moscow praising Queen Elizabeth as her Platinum Jubilee celebrations began on Thursday, wishing her good health and lauding her stylish choice of hats.

Today kicks off the platinum jubilee weekend to celebrate 70 years of the Queen's reign, a feat no British monarch has ever managed