Puppet show at Queen's celebrations - 3rd June 2022

Queen Elizabeth II's dogs, horses and swans are all rehearsing for a parade to mark the jubilee celebrations of Her Majesty's 70 years on the throne. The puppets have been designed and built by firm Imagineer, working alongside university fashion students.

The animals will form a part of the procession entitled 'The Queen's Favourites', which celebrates her private passions. Kathi Leahy, Imagineer's artistic director, explains:

Kathi Leahy: "We thought about what does she love? And outside of all her duties and, because she's virtually on duty most of the, all the, all the time. And it's, it's equine and canine. And so, they're her first loves – her dogs and her horses. We've got 10 horses, and the horses range from the Queen's first hobby horse – the first, the pony that she learned to ride on. So we've got Peggy. We've then got some racehorses that have specific significance to the Queen, such as Sanction, which is the next one along here."

The monarch's love of corgis is well-known, having received her first short-legged friend as an 18th birthday present from her parents.

Kathi Leahy: "Some of them have tails that are up in the air. Some of them have very expressive faces – tongues out, tongues in."

By ancient tradition, all the swans in England are property of the crown. Some of the 140 cast members taking part will be dressing up as swans from the river Thames.

Chief designer Trudy Rees-Marklew, who's in charge of the costumes and parade floats, is keen for humour to play a role.

Trudy Rees-Marklew: "The challenge was to bring the humour into the design, and to bring some fun and laughter on the day."

An animated figure from the 11th century, legendary personality Lady Godiva, will be boldly striding forth in the procession. On a much smaller scale will be the compact boat 'Bluebottle', gifted to the young princess and her husband on the occasion of their wedding.

For Jane Hytch, Imagineer's chief executive, catching the Queen's attention is foremost in her mind.

Jane Hytch: "But I hope that, I just hope she just smiles at the, particularly at the corgis and notices that innovation in our, our section. You know, with Godiva and all the engineering and stuff."