Royal superfans are set to brave the elements on the final day of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee weekend, amid fears today’s £15million Pageant will be battered by thunderstorms.
The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for heavy rainfall and potentially even hail across much of England and Wales from midnight until 6pm this evening.
Forecasters have said that the bad weather – including downpours of up to 50mm an hour, and even hail – may cause travel disruption and flooding in some places, with parts of London and the South East, the Midlands, East Anglia most at risk.
However, royal enthusiasts were pictured wearing ponchos in the rain on The Mall early this morning after camping out last night – in an indication that patriotic Britons will brave stormy weather to catch sight of the spectacular Pageant today.
Met Office Chief Meteorologist Dan Suri said: ‘In contrast to last night and this morning, more places within the warning area on Sunday are likely to see heavy rain and thunderstorms. Where thunderstorms do occur impacts from heavy rain and frequent lightning strikes are possible.
‘A few places could see 15-20 mm of rain within an hour, with a small chance of 50 mm in an hour, most likely over parts of the Midlands, southeast England and East Anglia whilst the risk of thunderstorms over the northern part of the warning is smaller.
‘Then, during Sunday afternoon new showers, some heavy and thundery, are likely over the southern or so third of the UK.
Royal superfans wearing ponchos early on The Mall ahead of the Jubilee Pageant, June 5, 2022
The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for heavy rainfall and potentially even hail across much of England and Wales from midnight until 6pm this evening. Forecasters have said that the bad weather – including downpours and even hail – may cause travel disruption and flooding in some places, with parts of London and the South East, the Midlands, East Anglia most at risk
A police officer takes a photograph for a group of men on The Mall in London, June 5, 2022
Royal enthusiasts wearing ponchos in The Mall in Westminster ahead of the Pageant, June 5, 2022
Police officers patrol in wet and grey conditions on The Mall in Westminster, June 5, 2022
Some 10,000 people including a cast of 6,000 performers are involved in staging the spectacular two-mile carnival route from Horse Guards, along Whitehall to Admiralty Arch and down The Mall to Buckingham Palace
A speaker system erected in front of the Houses of Parliament, June 5, 2022
Silver London cabs due to be used in the pageant in Westminster, June 5, 2022
Vintage vehicles due to be used in the pageant wait on Horse Guards Parade, June 5, 2022
A group of young dancers practice ahead of the Jubilee Pageant, June 5, 2022
‘North of the warning area in Northern England and Scotland conditions will be much more settled. If you’re planning outside events for Sunday, please keep a regular eye on the forecast for your area for any updates.’
Travel experts have warned of busy roads as the Jubilee weekend winds down and Britons prepare to return to the office on Monday.
RAC traffic spokesman Rod Dennis said: ‘The fact the bank holidays coincide with the end of half-term in many places has the potential to put some extra pressure on the road network, so planning a journey carefully is important to beat the worst of any queues.
‘The best way for drivers to avoid breaking down this week is to check over their vehicles before setting out – yet our research shows less than a fifth do this routinely.
‘Making sure oil, coolant and screenwash are all at the right levels takes just minutes, as does ensuring tyres are free of damage and are inflated properly. A bit of TLC now could make the difference between a straightforward trip and one beset by a breakdown.’
The monarch received affectionate tributes from the Prince of Wales and national figures during Saturday night’s Platinum Party at the Palace that saw Sir Rod Stewart, Diana Ross and Duran Duran perform for thousands.
A royal themed float due to be used in the Pageant waiting in Westminster this morning, June 5, 2022
Mechanical horses named after horses owned by the Royals in Westminster, June 5, 2022
Colourful buses due to be used in the Pageant waiting in a side street in Westminster, June 5, 2022
Despite the poor weather, volunteers and council officials prepare tables in Windsor Great Park for lunch, June 5, 2022
View of long tables for the Big Lunch at Windsor Great Park as part of Jubilee celebrations, June 5, 2022
Jubilee-themed decorations and seating plans pictured on a table in Windsor Great Park, June 5, 2022
And in a comic sketch that delighted the nation, the Queen had tea with Paddington Bear and revealed, like the furry character, she is partial to a marmalade sandwich.
In his personal tribute Charles spoke movingly about the Queen, calling her ‘Mummy’ and described how ‘you laugh and cry with us and, most importantly, you have been there for us…’ in a speech to thousands of spectators in The Mall.
On Sunday, millions will gather for patriotic street parties, picnics and barbecues, with more than 85,000 Big Jubilee Lunches being held across the UK.
The Duchess of Cornwall, patron of the Big Lunch, will join Charles at a flagship feast at The Oval cricket ground in south London, while the Earl and Countess of Wessex will meet people creating the ‘Long Table’ down on The Long Walk leading up to Windsor Castle.
Some 10,000 people including a cast of 6,000 performers are involved in staging the 3km carnival procession from Horse Guards, along Whitehall to Admiralty Arch and down The Mall to Buckingham Palace.
The ambitious £15 million pageant is split into four acts: For Queen and Country with a military parade; The Time of Our Lives progressing through seven decades of culture, music and fashion; Let’s Celebrate telling the story of the Queen’s life in 12 chapters with corgi puppets and carnival creations; and the Happy and Glorious musical spectacle.
Celebrities will travel in decorated open top double decker buses for the decade-by-decade celebrations.
Among the sights will be the Gold State Coach which will feature archival footage of the Queen broadcast at the windows, making it seem as if the monarch is in the carriage.
A peloton of 300 cyclists, riding vintage bikes from across the seven decades of the Queen’s reign, is to travel down The Mall led by Sir Chris Hoy and cycling golden couple Dame Laura and Sir Jason Kenny.
Close to 200 national treasures will take to the stage to serenade the Queen by singing the national anthem at the grand finale of the Platinum Jubilee festivities.
Stars including Sir David Jason, Harry Redknapp, Sir Cliff Richard, Sandie Shaw, Felicity Kendal, Joe Wicks and Holly Willoughby will join Ed Sheeran in a mass rendition of God Save The Queen outside Buckingham Palace at the end of the pageant.
It is hoped the monarch will make an appearance on the Buckingham Palace balcony to round off the weekend and see the celebrities singing the national anthem.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10886221/Platinum-Jubilee-2022-Met-Office-dampens-Jubilee-spirit-warns-HAIL-thunderstorms.html
