Queen left Take That’s Gary Barlow stumped with some pretty ‘awkward’ questions

The Queen’s approval was needed after Gary Barlow presented the plans for her Diamond Jubilee concert.

Queen left Take That's Gary Barlow stumped with questions before the Diamond Jubilee concert
(Image credit: Future // Image 1: Photo by Paul Hackett - WPA Pool/Getty Images // Image 2: Photo by Toni Anne Barson/FilmMagic via Getty)

The Queen reportedly once left Take That star Gary Barlow stumped after asking some ‘awkward’ questions when they met to discuss the plans for her Diamond Jubilee concert. 


The Queen will become the first British monarch ever to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee in 2022 as she marks 70 years since ascending to the throne. Many of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee events have already been announced for the four-day bank holiday weekend in the UK in June. Though the Queen will celebrate her Platinum Jubilee five months ahead of this as the actual date of her becoming monarch is February 1952. 

As might have been expected by royal fans in light of Her Majesty’s previous Jubilees, a concert is set to take place on Saturday June 4th outside Buckingham Palace. World-class performers are expected to take to the stage and though the final line-up for the Platinum Jubilee concert hasn’t been confirmed yet, this won’t be the first time a concert has been held at the palace for such a special occasion. 

Back in 2012 when the Queen celebrated her Diamond Jubilee, it was Take That singer-songwriter Gary Barlow who organized the concert. And it seems Gary was left “guessing” after being asked some pretty awkward questions by none other than the Queen herself.

The final event featured the likes of Sir Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder and gave fans a spectacular performance to remember. But the final plans are said to have required the Queen’s approval and it was Gary who presented them to her. 

According to The Mirror, Gary opened up about one very memorable interaction with Her Majesty during an appearance on the Graham Norton Show in the lead-up to the Queen's Diamond Jubilee a decade ago.

He reportedly explained at the time, “Only a couple of weeks ago I got the job of presenting the whole plan of the concert to her and I’d learnt everything about the gig. There’s not a question she can throw at me that I’m going to falter on.”

Queen Elizabeth II and musician Gary Barlow on stage during the Diamond Jubilee concert at Buckingham Palace on June 4, 2012

(Image credit: Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

However, it seems that the Queen went on to prove him wrong in unforgettable style as the musician claimed she began to ask some pretty understandable questions about the upcoming concert. 

“And she said, ‘So all the equipment, how long is that going to take to dismantle? At this point, I’m guessing so I say, ‘About six or seven hours’,” Gary continued. “And she said, “So, the concert finished at half ten at night, which means you will be doing that all night at the front of the palace where my family lives.”

After this, the Take That star went on to discuss other aspects of the plans, closing, “I say, ‘Moving on Your Majesty, this is the royal box, this is where you will be sitting. And she said, ‘How am I going to get there?’ It was something else I didn’t know the answer to!”

Queen Elizabeth II at the Diamond Jubilee concert, with Cheryl Cole, Tom Jones, Prince Charles, The Duchess Of Cornwall, Paul McCartney, Elton John and Kylie Minogue

(Image credit: Photo by rune hellestad/Corbis via Getty Images)

Despite these somewhat awkward questions, though, the Queen appeared delighted when she joined the performers on stage at the final Diamond Jubilee concert. Now, with the Platinum Jubilee concert just months away, fans will no doubt be eagerly anticipating who might take over Gary’s reins as organizer—and who will be taking to the stage this summer!

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Emma Shacklock

Emma is a Royal Editor with eight years experience working in publishing. Her specialist areas include the British Royal Family, ranging from protocol to outfits. Alongside putting her royal knowledge to good use, Emma knows all there is to know about the latest TV shows on the BBC, ITV and more. When she’s not writing about the next unmissable show to add to your to-watch list or delving into royal protocol, Emma enjoys cooking, long walks and watching yet more crime dramas!