Ed Sheeran to lead musical tribute at Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Celebration

Virgin Radio

28 Apr 2022, 11:33

What better way to celebrate seventy years on the throne than with a performance from national treasure Ed Sheeran. 

The Shape Of You hitmaker will be at the helm of a musical tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, and will perform outside Buckingham Palace on the 5th June as part of the long-weekend celebrations. 

Organisers are calling the event ‘The People’s Pageant’, and David Zolkwer, director of the pageant, said during a press conference (via Vanity Fair): “I'm going to say wait and see. We're not wanting to keep secrets, but we are trying to hold back surprises for the day.”

In a statement, Ed shared: “I am looking forward to performing at The Queen's Platinum Jubilee Pageant in June. I'm proud to be part of the celebration and it's going to be a great opportunity to bring everyone together."

Not only will the singer hit the stage, but ITV News reports that the carnival finale will also see puppet corgis along The Mall, and a giant £D wire bust of the Queen herself. 

More than 10,000 people will be involved in the huge event, which will also include aerial artists, maypole dancers, towering dragons and a Bollywood hit-laden wedding cake (yes, really). 

The People’s Pageant is set to be watched by up to a billion people around the world, and organisers said the ‘once in a lifetime’ experience is being ‘made by the people, for the people. 

Whether any other members of the royal family will join in the celebrations is still under wraps. 

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.”

Other celebrities confirmed to be taking part throughout the day include Sir Cliff Richard, Dame Shirley Bassey, Kate Moss, Jeremy Irons and Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean.

It’s not the only Jubilee celebration to include famous faces, as ITV will air The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Celebration on Sunday 15th May, with the likes of Helen Mirren, Tom Cruise and Ant and Dec.