Prince Charles pays moving and personal tribute to 'Mummy' the Queen at spectacular Buckingham Palace Diamond Jubilee Concert

By Rebecca English, Royal Correspondent


-Queen arrived mid-way through the concert and was escorted to her seat by Prince Charles and Camilla
-Paul McCartney wishes Prince Phillip a speedy recovery after he misses concert with infection
-Robbie Williams, Kylie Minogue, Tom Jones, Elton John, Grace Jones, Annie Lennox among those to perform to 12,000-strong crowd

Prince Charles paid a tribute to 'Mummy' ons tage at Buckingham Palace after a momentous concert featuring some of the world's leading musicians - such as Paul McCartney, Sir Tom Jones and Elton John - in the background

Prince Charles gave a warm, emotional and often witty speech in praise of his mother at the close of the Diamond Jubilee Concert.

Just his opening word – ‘Mummy’ – earned him rapturous cheers from the crowd as the Queen, dressed in a gold lame gown dotted with crystals, looked on plainly delighted.

The pair, accompanied by the Duchess of Cornwall, had minutes earlier made their way down to the stage encircling the Queen Victorial Memorial, to a standing ovation.

Celebrities including Kylie Minogue and Cheryl Cole jostled to stand as close to the royal party as possible.

The prince gently warmed his audience up by making a joke about the terrible weather for Sunday’s river pageant.

‘If I may say so, thank God it turned out fine!’ he said.

Gary Barlow of Take That, who organised the concert, shares a word with Her Majesty as Shirley Bassey, right, and Cheryl Cole, far left, lead the applause

He also made a poignant reference to the Duke of Edinburgh who was in hospital, just a few miles away.

‘The only sad thing about tonight is that my father cannot be here with us because, unfortunately, he’s been taken unwell.’

And he added to tumultuous applause: ‘If we shout loud enough he might just be able to hear us in hospital.’

Turning to his mother, he paid tribute to ‘the life and service of a very special person’ (although he appeared to make a mistake when he referred to her being 26 when she acceeded to the throne. In fact she was 25.)

Charles told the Queen: ‘A Diamond Jubilee is a unique and special event, some of us have had the joy of celebrating three jubilees with you, and I have the medals to prove it.

‘And we're now celebrating the life and service of a very special person, over the last 60 years.

‘I was three when my grandfather George VI died and suddenly, unexpectedly, you and my father's lives were irrevocably changed when you were only 26.

‘So as a nation this is our opportunity to thank you and my father for always being there for us.

‘For inspiring us with your selfless duty and service and for making us proud to be British.’

At this point there were huge cheers from the crowds and many members of the Royal Family applauded, including the Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry.

The prince went to say how proud the jubilee celebrations had made the country at a time when so many were suffering from ‘hardship and difficulty’ and paid tribute to the members of the public lining the banks of the Thames on Sunday in the wind and the rain.

As he drew to a close, he led the audience in giving three cheers for the Queen, before kissing her hand affectionately and adding: ‘So Your Majesty we offer you our humble duty and with it three resounding cheers for our Majesty The Queen!’

Sir Paul McCartney, who was closing the concert with three songs, wished the Duke well, saying: 'We all send our best wishes for a speedy recovery. I hear he's not too bad.'

Take That star Robbie Williams opened the show by belting out one of his biggest hits, the aptly-named Let Me Entertain You.


Blazing glory: Crowds stand in The Mall as they watch fireworks rain down above the The Diamond Jubilee Concert stage


Red, white and very blue: The epic finale to the concert lit up the sky


Dazzling display: An incredible scne as orange fireworks clash beautifully with the purple of the stage

Union Flags line the Mall as thousands of dancing fans gear up for the big climax to the show

Performers from the present generation also appeared on stage - Will.i.am Jessie J, JLS and Ed Sheeran.

But it was the veterans Sir Cliff Richard and Sir Tom Jones who got the crowds on their feet with renditions of classic songs from their repertoire.

Organisers said days before the concert that the Queen would take her seat at around 9pm.

She arrived wearing a stunning cocktail dress of gold lame designed by Angela Kelly under a dark cape.

The dress had sweeping trimmings of antique gold lace and deep olive, and was adorned with Swarovski crystals.

Pomp and cricumstance: Union Flags as far as the eye can see as the concert draws to a close and royals take to the stage

Gary Barlow had said he was performing with a very special guest and Cheryl Cole certainly didn't disappoint in the style stakes as she stepped out on stage at the Queen's Diamond Jubilee concert tonight.

The 28-year-old looked effortlessly elegant in a strapless black gown by Polish designer Ewa Minge, which boasted a bodice covered in sequins, a velvet trim and ended with a dramatic layered white and black fishtail.

Cheryl and Gary performed a special, and moving, rendition of Need You Now to the 12,000-strong crowd that had gathered to celebrate outside Buckingham Palace.

It appeared that Cheryl impressed Prince Harry and Prince William who were seen beamed as they watched the show from the Royal box.

Even Kate Middleton, who is formally Catherine Duchess of Cambridge, was seen smiling and waving her flag along to the song.

The duo led the best of British talent performing alongside the biggest names of music including Sir Tom Jones, Sir Elton John, Dame Shirley Bassey to name just a few.

There was also plenty of help from stars around the Commonwealth including the likes of Kylie Minogue, Will.i.am and Grace Jones.


An event 60 years in the making: Images of The Queen throughout her reign were projected onto Buckingham Palace

Flag flies above the Mall: Thousands watch the Union Flag raised after the concert finished

Robbie Williams kicked off proceedings at the Queen's Diamond Jubilee concert at Buckingham Palace as the first act to take to the stage in the glorious sunshine.

The Take That star sang his hit song Let Me Entertain You to the thousands of fans who managed to secure tickets to the celebrations.


Last song: Sir Paul McCartney took to the stage to sing the last song of the evening


Paying tribute: Sir Paul told the Queen: 'May I congratulate Your Majesty on 60 fantastic years'


Sheer madness! The band took to the roof of Buckingham Palace to perform their hit Our House


Just another street in Britain: As Madness performed projections were put onto Buckingham Palace transforming the Royal residence into difference streets


Crowd pleaser: The rooftop performance was without doubt one of the highlights of the show


Inside the Palace: The projections also appeared to open up the palace as if it were a dolls house

Doping Britain proud: The setting of the concert was a spectacle in itself and the weather held out to turn into a fine evening to celebrate The Queen's 60 years on the throne


From day to night: As the night began to fall the TV screens showed Kylie performing on stage


All for you: Queen Elizabeth arrived mid-way through the performance but appeared to enjoy the show despite having earplugs in


Think pink: Sir Elton John was dressed in a sparkling bright pink coat and a black suit and a pair of black trousers as he performed Your Song and dedicated it to the Queen


What a talent: Stevie Wonder sang a special Happy Birthday song for The Queen and Will.i.am also joined him on stage

Get your hands in the air! Robbie looked dapper in his military-inspired outfit with his initials embellished on his cuffs. The singer told the audience to throw their hands in the air

With Buckingham Palace providing a stunning backdrop Robbie made a dramatic entrance surrounded by military band players.

The singer had donned his own military-style jacket in navy with his initials embellished in gold on his cuffs.

Following his performance Robbie saluted the Royal box where the family sat with the best view of the proceedings.


Simply stunning! Cheryl Cole donned an elegant strapless gown with a huge fishtail skirt as she took to the stage with Gary Barlow at the Queen's Diamond Jubilee concert


Special treat for the Royals: Cheryl sang Need You Now with Gary Barlow and much to the surprise of fans sang live


Cheryl's a hit! Prince William and Harry were seen beaming while Kate waved her flag with plenty of enthusiasm


Getting into it: Garry was seen dancing around the stage as Cheryl belted out notes to the song


We are with her! Guards happily posed up with Cheryl who tweeted a snap of herself


Best seats in the house: Prince Charles and Camilla were seen on the front row of the Royal box


Double trouble: The Voice judges Will.i.am and Jessie J performed the Black Eyed Peas song I Gotta Feeling and were decked out in red white and blue


Rocking around: Sir Cliff Richard took to the stage in a dusty pink suit whit a diamante tie as he showed off his best moves


Still got it! The 71-year-old singer was seen dancing around the stage with scantily clad dancers

What a spectacle! 12,000 people made their way outside Buckingham Palace and hordes were seen watching the show on the big screens

The guest of honour, The Queen arrived mid-way through the show and was escorted to her seat by the help of Prince Charles and Camilla.

Her husband Prince Phillip was hospitalized earlier in the day due to a bladder infection so that could have been the reason for her late arrival.

Lenny Henry introduced Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and said: 'You just missed Tom Jones,' before pointing up to the palace and adding 'I mean you live just there'.


A song for the moment: Cliff Richard performed his 1968 song Congratulations but said it was written for this very moment


Feeling patriotic: The 12,000-strong crowd were not short of flags


As unusual as ever: Grace Jones didn't disappoint with her outfit and took to the stage in a black and red outfit and she was seen hula-hooping as she sang


Feeling the love: Boy band JLS took to the stage to sing their hit track Everybody in Love


Young and old: The audience was made up of all sorts of people from Great Britain and beyond, young and old to enjoy the concert


By royal appointment: The singers took to the elaborate stage with Buckingham providing a spectacular backdrop


One has arrived! The Queen made her entrance mid-way through the performance and looked sophisticated in her black caped coat


Mixed music: Lang Lang took to the piano while British tenor Alfie also performed


What a great day: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were seen laughing with Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall sat behind them
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source:dailymail

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Is this the world's fattest cat? Sponge Bob tips the scales at a massive 33 POUNDS... and he's on a diet!

By Daily Mail Reporter


Could this massive moggie be the world's fattest cat?

The ginger tom, who tipped the scales at 33lbs, is the spitting image of out-of-shape Puss in Boots from hit film Shrek the Third.

Greedy Sponge Bob, 9, who weighs the same as a four-year-old child, is on a strict diet and fitness regime at the animal shelter where he lives.

More to love: Kendra Mara, Associate Director at Animal Haven in New York City cradles a 33lb cat named Sponge Bob

New rules: Sponge Bob is currently on a diet and exercise regime after brought to the shelter by her owner who was moving into a nursing home

Dedicated staff at Animal Haven in New York came up with clever exercises to encourage Sponge Bob to move, helping him shed 3lbs in just two months.

Hilarious video shows Sponge Bob, now 30lbs, bravely jumping out of his pen, hauling his huge belly over the doorway when it gets stuck.

But the adorable puss is still too big to wash his own body, and needs to be brushed and cleaned by hand.

Previous fattest cat Meow, from Sante Fe, New Mexico, died of pulmonary failure at 39lbs, earlier this month.


Big eater: Sponge Bob lies licking his nose and lips in hopes of a treat which are minimally used to encourage him to move

Enormous surprise: Workers at Animal Haven were left speechless when they opened the cage belonging to Sponge Bob at his arrival and saw what was inside

Kendra Mara, Animal Haven's associate director, said: 'Sponge Bob came to us when his owner went into a nursing home.

'We opened up the carrier and about 10 to 15 people stood around staring at him for quite a long time, because he's the largest cat we've ever seen.

'We don't know how he became so big. We can only guess that his owner, because he was ill, was feeding him dry food on a regular basis, maybe just leaving it out, so he was able to eat whenever he wanted.'


Suspect: The shelter's workers suspect Sponge Bob's owner had left out unlimited portions of dry cat food, allowing him to eat to his heart's content

Blood work: Blood tests on the cat revealed no sign of hyperthyroidism which would have been a possible culprit in his weight gain

She added: 'It is pretty abnormal for a cat to be able to get this big. But he has had blood work and doesn't have hyperthyroidism or anything so it appears to be just from eating.'

Sponge Bob lives in a special large pen, usually given to a whole litter of puppies, and staff encourage him to jump out of the cage for daily exercise.

He is allowed to wander around the cat lounge, to greet other moggies in their pens, and to play with toys and laser lights and roll on his back.

Little help: Suzi Anders, a volunteer, holds up the cat who's encouraged to walk outside of his cage, though needs help cleaning himself due to his sheer size

Staff use cat nip to keep Sponge Bob moving, along with occasional tiny cat treats, to make him run across the room.

'To get him to run across the room, it's worth it,' said Kendra.

Sponge Bob is fed a special protein diet food of lean chicken, fish and vegetables such as pumpkin, containing no carbohydrates.

Staff at Animal Haven hope Sponge Bob will continue losing one to two pounds per month, to reach a more healthy weight in around eight months' time.

Needs a home: The shelter's workers hope that Sponge Bob will find a good home that will help encourage his lean diet and exercise plan

He is expected to be adopted soon by a loving family, who can dedicate their time to playing with him, as well as continuing his healthy diet.

'I hope someone sees how wonderful he is and welcomes him in their home,' said Kendra.

For more information about how to adopt Sponge Bob or other cats, or to make a donation, visit AnimalHavenShelter.org


Predecessor: This 40lb cat named Meow was just two years old when he was found at this massive weight in Santa Fe


Unhealthy: Tragically for Meow, he died last month of pulmonary failure at 39lbs



source: dailymail

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Jubilation: Britain goes Diamond Jubilee crazy as four-day party to celebrate Queen's 60 glorious years bursts into life

By David Wilkes


Break out the bunting and grab a party hat – Diamond Jubilee fever is here.

Schoolchildren kicked off the celebrations with colourful parties yesterday.

Their festivities raised the curtain on a weekend when millions of Britons will shrug off the economic gloom and host thousands of events to mark six decades of Elizabeth II.


230 children from Hampden Gurney Primary School enjoy their Jubilee Street Party. From left: Lucia Requeso-Tabares, Carla Ivanoka and Gabi Walker, all aged five


Party! The street parties to celebrate the Jubilee will show off some cracking entertainment, whilst right, this racegoes gets into the swing of things at Epsom


Spotted: This schoolboy seems to have found a couple of famous faces

Look at me! The eyes have it for this 13-year-old at Brighton College

More than 9,500 official parties are being held over the long bank holiday weekend – double the number for last year’s Royal Wedding – and many more impromptu events are expected to push the final number well beyond 10,000.

The bad news is that the weather could put a dampener on the fun. As Her Majesty sails down the Thames at the head of a flotilla tomorrow, the chances are she will be doing most of her waving beneath an umbrella.

However things should improve in time for Monday’s concert at Buckingham Palace. And yesterday, the sun did its best to shine on the early events around the country.

In Durham, one lucky youngster even got to be ‘queen’ for the day. Seven-year-old Zoe Kimura, of St Godric’s RC primary school, took on the starring role in a re-enactment of the Coronation, arriving in a horse-drawn carriage. Durham Cathedral’s education officer Elizabeth Baker, who came up with the idea, said: ‘I knew the children would love the pomp and ceremony of events this weekend and the pop concert at the Palace, but I wanted them to understand the importance of the event too. The Queen is the second longest serving monarch after Queen Victoria.’

A very different – but no less patriotic – kind of Diamond Jubilee street party saw more than 100 refugees celebrate Her Majesty as their ‘Queen of Sanctuary’ as they thanked Britain for giving them a second chance in life.


In the spirit: The children of Wimbledon Park Primary School, London, enjoyed a Jubilee party in the playground today

All smiles: Sara Javaid, pictured left, gets in the mood for celebration, whilst right, a student doubles the Jubilee celebrations with the end of her Final exams

Those gathered in Brixton, south London, included refugees from all six decades of the Queen’s reign, all of whom had fled persecution and possible death.

Among them was Bob Vertes, who fled to England in 1957 as an eight-year-old with his Jewish parents to escape rampant anti-Semitism in post-revolutionary Hungary. He went on to be a maths teacher and Open University tutor.

Mr Vertes, 64, of Edgware, north London, added: ‘I love the diversity in this country which I think does not exist in as comfortable a way in other countries.

For me, one of the reasons for that is having a royal figurehead constantly there and the way the Royal Family has maintained its links with the former Empire and Commonwealth.’

On the Mall yesterday morning, dedicated ‘royal watcher’ Terry Hutt, 77, known even to the Royal Family as ‘the Union Jack man’, was already at the scene preparing for Tuesday’s formal celebrations.


Even the very youngest were preparing themselves to celebrate the Queen's landmark Diamond Jubilee

Determined to secure a plum spot for catching the Queen’s eye, he was there scouting out the landscape, dressed in his full regalia of Union Flag trainers, socks, shorts, vest, T-shirt, and two hats.

Crowds of at least one million are expected to throng the banks of the Thames tomorrow to watch the Royal Barge head the flotilla of 1,000 vessels.

Those who do intend to brave the elements would be wise to go prepared with an umbrella, a waterproof coat and perhaps a pair of Wellington boots.

Forecasters expect the day to be disrupted by more than an inch of rain in places with temperatures in the capital barely getting above a chilly 12C (54F). It is a far cry from a week ago when most of the country was bathed in Mediterranean-style sunshine and enjoying a record 28C (82F).

The weekend's events

MeteoGroup forecaster Tom Tobler said: ‘We’re going to see most of the weekend’s rain on Sunday.

‘Sadly, the warm weather of last week came just a little bit too early for the Queen.

‘The rain is coming in from the south-west and starting on Saturday afternoon before spreading eastwards. Overnight on Saturday and into Sunday there’s going to be a lot of heavy and persistent rain across central and southern England and Wales. It may even edge its way into northern England as well. It’s going to feel pretty miserable. In London on Sunday temperatures are expected to go no higher than 12C (54F).’

Mr Tobler said it would be cloudy and damp on Monday but should brighten up for the palace concert starring acts including Madness, Stevie Wonder and Sir Paul McCartney.


Stand to attention: HMS Daring's Ship's Company form the 'E II R' formation on the flight deck to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee


Respect: Servicemen and women honour the Queen in their own special Jubilee celebrations


Queen for a Day: Zoe Kimura, aged seven, from St Godrics School, Durham, was the star of a re-enactment of the Queen's coronation at Durham Cathedral featuring 388 children from local primary schools


Almost 400 children watched the 'coronation' of Zoe Kimura, aged seven, in the Durham Cathedral event, to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee


The miniature re-enactment at Durham Cathedral of the Queen's Coronation in 1956 even featured junior Archbishops


Larry the Downing Street cat gets into the spirit of the Jubilee weekend as he plays with bunting in the garden of Number 10


Larry seems to have tired himself out as he sits with his new toy on David Cameron's lawn


The usually sombre frontage of Number 10 Downing Street gets a cheerful Jubilee makeover complete with Union flag bunting


Royal fan Terry Hutt prepares to camp out in The Mall today to be sure of a prime spot for the Jubilee weekend


And Terry Hutt wasn't the only one on The Mall preparing for the mammoth weekend of festivities to commemorate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee


A fan at The Mall puts herself in the picture as she poses with a cutout of her Royal idol


The Palace looms in the background as workers clean the surface of The Mall in preparation for the celebrations


A lone street cleaner hoses down the coloured asphalt to make sure this weekend's visitors get the red carpet treatment


Oxford students celebrate the end of Final exams today, and combined the festivities to commemorate the Queen's landmark


As students put down their pens in Oxford, they also dusted off their flags to mark the start of an historic weekend


Racegoers Emily Stables (left) and Tara McMeikan show off Jubilee-inspired outfits during the Ladies' Day of the Investec Derby Festival at Epsom Racecourse, Surrey


Another racegoer at Epsom trots along in Union flag-themed heels


Seven-year-old Henry Tombs grins through his face paint during the street party at Coniston Community Centre, in Patchway, Bristol


Weekend weather




source:dailymail

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Cruel video shows circus bears forced to skip and baboons in tracksuits roller skating in North Korea

-Footage was filmed secretly by a western visitor in capital Pyongyang
-The 3,500 onlookers laughed as the animals followed the trainer's commands
-Animals rights campaigners said show 'has no place in civilised society'
-Tickets are only for the rich, costing up to £16 each – compared to the average North Korean worker’s monthly salary of £29


By Jill Reilly

Cruel footage: Forced to perform up to three times a day, the video has been greeted with horror by animal welfare groups

A video of a circus show where rollerskating baboons and skipping bears are forced to perform up to three times a day, has emerged from North Korea.

The footage has been greeted with horror by animal welfare groups, who declared that the show 'has no place in civilised society.'

Filmed in secret by a western visitor to the country, the clip shows how the Communist pariah state still allows the type of animal shows banned in most of the world generations ago.

Scroll down for video

Balancing bear: The video, taken in secret by a western visitor to the country, shows how the Communist pariah state still allows the type of animal shows banned in most of the world generations ago

As a bear skips over two sets of skipping ropes in a gaudy outfit, one of the ropes catches his fur and he shudders, backing away quickly from the trainers.

But they force him to continue jumping up and down in a cruel fashion.

The baboons, dressed in blue and white jumpsuits, are forced to skate down a slide on roller blades, and throwing balls into basketball nets.


Strict rules: As one bear takes centre stage, another miserable-looking beast lines up patiently to perform

Life of misery: The bears are caught in the forests of North Korea and trained for the show

Tickets to the Pyongyang show, cost up to £16 each – compared to the average North Korean worker’s monthly salary of £29.

This means that only privileged members of the military can afford this type of expensive entertainment – as shown by the almost entirely green uniformed audience.

The 3,500 onlookers smiled and laughed as the bears followed the commands of their trainers – eventually showing their approval with synchronised clapping at the end of the performance.

The bears are caught in the forests of North Korea and trained for the show.

Animal rights campaigns PETA reacted angrily to the video, and told the MailOnline the animal performance shows were 'outdated.'


Jumping through hoops: The audience are amused as the monkeys skate along the floor with hoops on their heads

Sick show: The baboons, dressed in blue and red jumpsuits, are forced to skate down a slide on roller blades, and throwing balls into basketball nets

Regimented choreography: A muzzled bear holds a hoop for a baboon to jump through

'There’s nothing funny about tearing primates away from their protective mothers shortly after birth and forcing them to perform silly tricks.

'These highly social animals suffer from debilitating loneliness and depression when isolated from other monkeys.

A spokesperson also said that many of the animals retaliate and are known to bite people.

'Many bear cubs taken from the wild die before the training begins because of the stress of capture, the gruelling transportation conditions, starvation, dehydration and rough handling.

'The ones who survive have the tops of their muzzles pierced with hot needles and a rope threaded through the holes – they are then forced to stand on their hind legs and perform under threat of punishment.

'These and other animal acts are outdated and have no place in any civilised society.'





source:dailymail

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