‘What she has accomplished is historic’: Praise for Queen as Platinum Jubilee celebrations begin

The Queen received a standing ovation as her Platinum Jubilee celebrations began on Sunday.

A Gallop Through History was an equestrian extravaganza starring Tom Cruise and Dame Helen Mirren, among a cast of stars who marked the Queen’s 70-year reign.

Cruise, best known for films such as Top Gun and Mission Impossible, told ITV that the Queen “is a woman I greatly admire”.

“What she has accomplished is historic,” he said.

“She has met presidents, world leaders, people from all walks of life.

“Not just Americans, but the world knows the dignity, devotion and kindness – that is what I have always felt about her.

“Someone that understands her position and has held it through a history that’s just been extraordinary the past 70 years.”

The 96-year-old monarch arrived at the arena, close to Windsor Castle, and was welcomed by an audience of people who rose to their feet to applaud her.

Read more: Buckingham Palace reveals bank holiday programme of events for Her Majesty’s 70th year on the throne Ed Sheeran, corgi puppets, a moving cake and a towering dragon: The Queen’s £15m Platinum Jubilee finale

It comes amid concerns about the Queen’s mobility, after she missed the State Opening of Parliament in recent days.

But she was able to walk to her seat in the royal box on Sunday, past a guard of honour featuring the Coldstream Guards, RAF Regiment and Royal Navy, as the national anthem was played.

The Queen sat with a blanket over her knees and a shawl over her shoulders and, at one point, she was spotted applying a new coat of lipstick.

Among the other stars involved in the show were Damian Lewis, Omid Djalili and Katherine Jenkins, along with the Royal Cavalry of Oman, performers from Azerbaijan and the King’s Guard of Norway.

Earlier this month, Buckingham Palace revealed plans for June’s celebrations, which are scheduled during June’s four-day bank holiday weekend.

Among the events are a £15m carnival featuring a puppet dragon as wide as the Mall, and a Platinum Jubilee Pageant on the final day of celebrations which will include performances by some of the world’s biggest names, including Ed Sheeran and Sir Cliff Richard.