This Just In
June 3rd, 2012
10:21 AM ET

Live blog: Queen's Diamond Jubilee, June 3

Welcome to CNN's live blog of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee! Follow along here while you watch on CNN, where Piers Morgan and Brooke Baldwin anchor our coverage. To get things started, you can read a little about what to expect from today's festivities. Check back often for pictures and videos, iReports, facts and trivia and more. Also, you'll find tweets from our anchors and reporters – and you! Use the hashtag #JubileeCNN and tell us what you think.

And we'll end with this – thank you all for joining the live blog, and watching CNN's coverage. And we'll see you back on CNN TV, and here, at 9 a.m. ET on Tuesday.


[1:06 p.m. ET, 6:06 p.m. local time]: "Your majesty, thank you for 60 great years," says Morgan.

[1:01 p.m. ET, 6:01 p.m. local time]: "God Save The Queen" from the London Philharmonic Orchestra and RCM Chamber Choir – in torrential rain.

[12:55 p.m. ET, 5:55 p.m. local time]: The London Philharmonic is playing and singing from atop a barge, in very difficult conditions – and doing it extremely well. 'You will never see anything like this!' says Piers Morgan.



[12:54 p.m. ET, 5:54 p.m. local time]: Watching from everywhere!

[12:51 p.m. ET, 5:51 p.m. local time]: "This was the biggest street party the world has ever imagined," says Becky Anderson in Piccadilly Circus.

[12:49 p.m. ET, 5:49 p.m. local time]: "Welcome back to London, or the Mediterranean Ocean as we've renamed it," says Morgan.

[12:45 p.m. ET, 5:45 p.m. local time]: "Freezing cold, torrential rain," says Morgan, while he reports the fly-by will have to be canceled.



[12:42 p.m. ET, 5:42 p.m. local time]: The grand finale may have to be canceled due to weather, reports Morgan.

[12:37 p.m. ET, 5:37 p.m. local time]: The incredible moment from earlier when the Royal barge did a complete 360-degree turn:



[12:32 p.m. ET, 5:32 p.m. local time]: "She believes in duty," says Dickie Arbiter. "She believes in doing the job until her last breath."

[12:29 p.m. ET, 5:29 p.m. local time]: "How many of us re-dedicate ourselves on anything, six decades [later]?" says Richard Quest of the Queen's pledge. Now the guests are discussing duty.

[12:26 p.m. ET, 5:26 p.m. local time]: We've updated the gallery at the top with the latest images from today's flotilla festivities.

[12:23 p.m. ET, 5:23 p.m. local time]: "She can put everything into global perspective," says Piers Morgan.

[12:20 p.m. ET, 5:20 p.m. local time]: "She's never passed a political judgment," says Katie Nicholl of the Queen.

[12:13 p.m. ET, 5:13 p.m. local time]: Earlier today: the Queen rides to the flotilla:



[12:09 p.m. ET, 5:09 p.m. local time]: Max Foster is by Tower Bridge: "This is British spirit for you!" he says as people are singing in the rain, watching the boats.


[12:06 p.m. ET, 5:06 p.m. local time]: Send us your favorite moments from our coverage of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee today!

[12:01 p.m. ET, 5:01 p.m. local time]: Now we're seeing Zain Verjee live on the River Thames, using the Flotilla Cam. Verjee describes a bit of a traffic jam now.


[11:53 a.m. ET, 4:53 p.m. local time]: Here's some of the Royal flotilla from earlier today:


[11:48 a.m. ET, 4:48 p.m. local time]: "Deference is still alive and well," says Philippa Gregory, royal historian.

[11:46 a.m. ET, 4:46 p.m. local time]: What's your favorite part of the Diamond Jubilee so far?


[11:43 a.m. ET, 4:43 p.m. local time]: "The river, for the modern age, is a great neglected stage," says Pieter van der Merwe, general editor and Greenwich curator of the National Maritime Museum. Explaining the reason for the flotilla today now.


Despite the rain, people camped out overnight last night. Here's a look:

[11:39 a.m. ET, 4:39 p.m. local time]: Richard Quest's picture from the CNN studio location near Tower Bridge:


Christiane Amanpour is watching:

[11:36 a.m. ET, 4:36 p.m. local time]: The rain theme has continued. It is now really pouring in London:


[11:33 a.m. ET, 4:33 p.m. local time]: "Typical summer day," says Piers Morgan about the current weather, although he also says it's currently "about as bad as it gets."

[11:31 a.m. ET, 4:31 p.m. local time]: Watch: Earlier today, William and Kate arrive at the Thames:

[11:29 a.m. ET, 4:29 p.m. local time]: Part of the reason the Royal barge turned was so the Queen can watch the rest of the flotilla herself, says Katie Nicholl.

[11:24 a.m. ET, 4:24 p.m. local time]: "This is one of those lifetime moments I don't think I'll ever forget," says Piers Morgan. The Royal barge is now turning 360 degrees.

[11:20 a.m. ET, 4:20 p.m. local time]: Tower Bridge is opening now as the Royal Barge is approaching. Amazing, rare event.


[11:19 a.m. ET, 4:19 p.m. local time]: And on the other hand... Here's a CNN Opinion about why the U.K. monarchy should be abolished.
But:

[11:16 a.m. ET, 4:16 p.m. local time]: Of the Queen's reign, Arbiter says, "She doesn't change, she adapts."

[11:12 a.m. ET, 4:12 p.m. local time]: India Hicks, a bridesmaid for Princess Diana, is being interviewed live now on CNN.

[11:10 a.m. ET, 4:10 p.m. local time]: "She hasn't seen this many boats in any one place since 1953," says Dickie Arbiter, former Buckingham Palace spokesman, who calls the event "overwhelming."

[11:07 a.m. ET, 4:07 p.m. local time]: Prince Harry, Prince Williams and Kate Middleton being shown now.

[11:05 a.m. ET, 4:05 p.m. local time]: While we take a quick break on TV, check out the Queen's Crown Jewels.

[11:03 a.m. ET, 4:03 p.m. local time]: "Eight bells specially cast for today," says Richard Quest. First time this has ever been done.

[11:02 a.m. ET, 4:02 p.m. local time]: "Any second now" says Richard Quest we will see the Queen and the royal family.

[10:59 a.m. ET, 3:59 p.m. local time]: The Queen is on CNN now. The flotilla is about to pass by the CNN studio location as well.

[10:55 a.m. ET, 3:55 p.m. local time]: How many U.S. presidents has the Queen met? Check it out.

[10:53 a.m. ET, 3:53 p.m. local time]: Piers Morgan weighs in on the weather, which has become a major topic already.


(And we'll keep including your tweets!)

[10:50 a.m. ET, 3:50 p.m. local time]: Zain Verjee is live, on a boat. We've broken out the Flotilla Cam for this. Strong winds, and "you're basically on your own" says Verjee.

[10:48 a.m. ET, 3:48 p.m. local time]: Becky Anderson is live from the "biggest street party."

[10:45 a.m. ET, 3:45 p.m. local time]: Brooke Baldwin and Piers Morgan are live from Tower Bridge. "An extraordinary explosion of patriotic glee," says Morgan. Richard Quest joining the broadcast now.

[10:42 a.m. ET, 3:42 p.m. local time]: Share your thoughts with us all day.

[10:38 a.m. ET, 3:38 p.m. local time]: Watch: Bells ring as the pageant begins:

[10:30 a.m. ET, 3:30 p.m. local time]: Gearing up for CNN's broadcast, now just 15 minutes away!



[10:20 a.m. ET, 3:20 p.m. local time]: Want to learn about the Royal family tree? Who were the Queen's parents and who are her children? Check out this helpful infographic.
Here's another picture from EP Janelle Rodriguez in the control room:

Piers and Brooke get ready.

[10:15 a.m. ET, 3:15 p.m. local time]: While we await the start of CNN's coverage, watch co-anchor Piers Morgan tell viewers what to expect today:


Meanwhile, here's Piers and others gearing up for the festivities on Twitter:

Our Executive Producer today, Janelle Rodriguez:

CNNI anchor and correspondent Max Foster:

And your tweets will be embedded in the live blog too, using #JubileeCNN:

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Filed under: Diamond Jubilee • United Kingdom • World
soundoff (29 Responses)
  1. they are not royal but are pampered thugs

    Just another excuse for the fake royalty to parade around and have their vanities stroked by sodden brits who have yet to muster themselves out of their unemployed apathy to seize the ill-gotten gains and property of the so-called royals as they should.

    June 3, 2012 at 11:09 am | Report abuse | Reply
  2. Jessup

    What is the classical music CNN is using for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee?

    June 3, 2012 at 11:10 am | Report abuse | Reply
  3. Bayousara

    I love all things Royal, with the exception of Camilla the Royal Pig. She was right up there on the barge standing behind the Queen! How disgusting! It has been so hard to see this Thames pagent that I am waiting for the DVD to see it all without all the interruptions of ads and noise from CNN crew.

    June 3, 2012 at 11:17 am | Report abuse | Reply
  4. bobcat (in a hat)©,

    Two cowboys came upon an Indian lying on his stomach with his ear to the ground.
    One of the cowboys stops and says to the other, "You see that Indian?"
    "Yeah," says the other cowboy.
    "Look," says the first one, "He's listening to the ground. He can hear things for miles in any direction."
    Just then the Indian looks up. "Covered wagon," he says, "About two miles away. Have two horses, one brown, one white. Man, woman, child, furniture in wagon ..."
    "Incredible!" says the cowboy to his friend. "This Indian knows how far away they are, how many horses, what color, what's in the wagon - just amazing!"
    The Indian looks up and says, "Ugh ... not amazing ... wagon ran ... over me ... 30 minutes ago!"

    June 3, 2012 at 11:32 am | Report abuse | Reply
  5. High Hopes

    THE ROYAL BARGE

    lol

    Right on, Comment #1!

    Jubilee?

    Dream On

    June 3, 2012 at 11:39 am | Report abuse | Reply
  6. High Hopes

    Clap, Clap

    Breathe deep...

    J/K

    June 3, 2012 at 11:51 am | Report abuse | Reply
  7. Julie

    AND – you started earlier than advertised....BOOO to you!!

    June 3, 2012 at 11:57 am | Report abuse | Reply
  8. Kathleen McAnear Smith

    Piers doing a great job with the Jubilee! Thank you CNN for bringing this to us...and we share your pain whenever they cut to an advert. Where is Princess Anne? Love the photography! Thanks for bearing the rain for this historic event. The Brits living in America SO pleased to see this event on CNN.

    June 3, 2012 at 12:02 pm | Report abuse | Reply
  9. chrissy

    @ my troll @ ll:40, i can speak for myself ty.

    June 3, 2012 at 12:13 pm | Report abuse | Reply
  10. Cygnet

    I live in Bermuda and am watching the festivities on CNN just now. Great Coverage. I received my Diamond Jubilee medal this week. CNN is the best. Mr. Morgan is one of my favourite news reporters.

    June 3, 2012 at 12:24 pm | Report abuse | Reply
  11. LaForest Hanscom

    i would like to comment on Katie's dress color. Her dress color wass obvious chosen to blend in withe color or the royal barge and the Queen then would stand out with the color white. The color was very stratigious chosen. Could you make this comment on your show?

    June 3, 2012 at 12:25 pm | Report abuse | Reply
  12. Connie

    From the U.S., I raise my glass to the Queen of England, home of my ancestors.

    June 3, 2012 at 12:25 pm | Report abuse | Reply
  13. Sycophants simpering simply sickening.

    I see CNN is forcefully and snidely suppressing all comments against the pampered thugs calling themselves royalty today.
    This overbearing and cowardly suppression of people's comments is very much in line with the other cowardly acts I have seen from CNN employees.
    Pampered thugs being fawned over by a bunch of ninnyhammers who struggle to think of even more vapid and simpering remarks on the pompous parade and every movement of the simpering masses involved really makes me sick with disgust at not only CNN, but the brain-damaged brits who support the thugs in charge.

    June 3, 2012 at 12:47 pm | Report abuse | Reply
  14. Mark from Calif

    On the horrible weather: it was the bad weather in the first week of June, 1944, that caused General Eisenhower to have to delay the D-Day invasion to June 6th. Like the monarchy, some things are seemingly eternal.

    June 3, 2012 at 12:56 pm | Report abuse | Reply
  15. Welled

    Looks like more fun that Britian strip mining Afganistan

    June 3, 2012 at 1:04 pm | Report abuse | Reply
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