Alicia Keys reveals The Queen ‘personally’ requested every song she performed at Platinum Jubilee

Virgin Radio

8 Jun 2022, 07:22

Singer Alicia Keys took her Instagram followers backstage at her recent performance Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations on Saturday.

She talked through her setlist for the event in a video ad revealed that “every song was requested personally by the Queen.”

In the clip, the singer can be heard tell her sons Egypt and Genesis how the Queen herself chose the songs that she would be singing at the Party at the Palace, to which they responded: “You can’t refuse the Queen. It’s against the law here.”

One of the songs on the setlist that The Queen requested was Keys’ 2009 megahit Empire State of Mind, which was performed with a 70-piece orchestra, along with Girl On Fire, Superwoman and more.

Keys was just one of the many stars that appeared at Saturday’s concert, which also included the likes of Elton John, Queen and Diana Ross, performing in front of the 22,000- strong crowd outside Buckingham Palace.

It was a spectacular celebration of the Queen’s 70th year on the throne that saw the Palace and the Mall transformed into a concert venue complete with light displays and fireworks.

Also performing on the line up was Eurovision star Sam Ryder, Elbow and George Ezra, who performed his latest single Green Green Grass.

One of the most memorable part of the Jubilee celebrations over the weekend, however, was when the Queen was joined by a very special guest- Paddington Bear!

In sweet and funny segment, Her Majesty and the bear can be seen bonding over their shared love of marmalade sandwiches, and she even produces one from her handbag. The clip also includes Horrible Histories actor Simon Farnaby as Barry the footman and ends with Paddington wishing the Queen a “happy jubilee” and thanking her “for everything”.