Factual
BBC One to broadcast Queen’s 90th birthday celebrations
MUMBAI: This June, BBC One will broadcast a long weekend of live events to mark Her Majesty The Queen’s official 90th birthday on Saturday, 11 June.
The weekend of birthday celebrations for the landmark anniversary begins on 10 June with a service of thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral, and the traditional display of pageantry of the Queen’s Birthday Parade (Trooping the Colour) will be held on 11 June on Horse Guards Parade, culminating with the Royal Family making their annual appearance on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
BBC One will also broadcast a special celebration on The Mall in St James’s Park taking place on 12 June to close the weekend of birthday celebrations. The iconic stretch will be transformed for its largest ever street party with 10,000 people gathered to celebrate The Queen’s patronage of over 600 charities and organisations on the occasion of her 90th birthday for The Patron’s Lunch.
The one-off spectacle will be a classic British ‘street party’ where guests will enjoy a hamper-style lunch at tables positioned along the full length of The Mall, with entertainment and Union flags aplenty. The Queen will be joined by other members of the Royal Family to celebrate the occasion. The Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry are Joint Presidents of The Patron’s Lunch.
BBC One head of events production Phil Dolling says, “We are thrilled to be broadcasting three days of events in June to mark Her Majesty’s 90th Birthday. It promises to be a fantastic weekend, climaxing with a huge street party in the Mall on the Sunday. It is a very significant birthday for the Queen and BBC One will be right at the heart of the celebrations.”
MUMBAI: India’s most famous hot seat is about to welcome an unlikely first-timer. For the first time on Hindi general entertainment television, industrialist Kumar Mangalam Birla will appear on Kaun Banega Crorepati, the iconic quiz show hosted by Amitabh Bachchan.
The special episode marks a rare meeting point of boardroom heft and prime-time television, bringing one of India’s most influential business leaders face to face with the country’s most enduring screen legend. It is a crossover that blends intellect, leadership and popular culture, all under KBC’s familiar spotlight.
Birla’s appearance dovetails neatly with the show’s current theme, Jahaan Akal Hai, Wahan Akad Hai, which celebrates the confidence that comes from clarity of thought and knowledge. His presence lends weight to the idea that sharp thinking and conviction are as vital in life as they are in the quiz chair.
In a thoughtful conversation with Bachchan, Birla shared an upbeat view of India’s economic journey, pointing to the nation’s rapid growth and the scale of opportunity opening up across industries and communities. He spoke of momentum, ambition and a future shaped by enterprise and ideas.
The episode is not all serious talk. In lighter moments, Birla confessed his long-standing admiration for Bachchan, calling him his favourite actor and admitting to a touch of nervousness at answering questions in front of the Shahenshah himself. The candour adds a human touch to a man more often seen in headlines than on television sets.
The special episode airs on Monday, 29 December at 9.00 pm on Sony Entertainment Television and Sony LIV.
