User:5 albert square/Episode 6497

Episode 6497 of the BBC soap opera EastEnders was broadcast on BBC One on 2 June 2022. It was written by Rob Gittins and directed by Ian Barnes and Michael Owen Morris. It was written to celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee and was the first time a member of the Royal Family appeared in a soap opera.

Plot
The residents are busy preparing Albert Square for the Jubilee Celebrations. Martin spots Karen and Bernie in the gardens and asks Mitch if they're planting a tree for Chantelle. Mitch confirms that they are and Martin remarks that he'll remember Chantelle whenever he sees the tree. Rocky and Kathy head for The Albert and Kathy remarks that Rocky could have made more of an effort. Kathy discusses with Rocky her concerns about Ben and Callum. Martin gives Bernie and Karen some advice about how to care for Chantelle's tree and offers to help them. Sharon promises Karen that nothing will happen to the tree. Zack asks Nancy what is happening to their restaurant and Nancy tells him that the To Let signs are being taken down. Linda suggests that she could apply for compensation for the money lost when she was scammed by Janine.

Over at The Albert, Billy is practicing his act when Bobby points out to him that the microphone isn't turned on. Kathy is impressed at what Rocky has organised and suggests that he sends Sonia pictures so she can see what she's missing. Over at The Vic, Mick announces that all money for drinks will be donated to charity and Janine points out that Nancy needs the money right now. Mick tells Janine what he will do to whoever scammed the money from Nancy leaving Janine looking worried. Denise introduces Linda to Patrick as the new partner of the hair salon and Linda tells her that she needs the money back but Denise tells her that she has already given the money to Sam. Kathy confides in Jay that she's worried about Ben and Jay promises her that he'll speak to Ben.

Linda tells Sharon that Janine scammed the money out of Nancy that she was meant to use for her restaurant business. At the Cafe, Kathy tries to persuade Sonia to attend the party for Rocky's sake and reminds her that the party is for Tina's sake. The Royal party arrive and Mick points out that the pub is named after their great-great-great grandmother and introduces Charles and Camilla to everyone. Frankie tells the Royal party about her photography and Martin about his fruit and veg stall and Charles remarks about different markets. When told that Jack is a policeman, Charles asks how he keeps all the residents in order. Patrick asks Camilla and Charlesto join him in a drop of rum which they gratefully accept. Sharon asks Camilla to officially open Chantelle's tree.

When Rocky approaches the Royal party to tell them that they're late for the talent competition he is almost arrested as he believes them to be impersonators but Sonia speaks up for him. Outside The Queen Vic, Camilla cuts the celebration cake and Mick raises a toast to the Queen.

Cast and characters

 * HRH Prince of Wales as Himself
 * HRH Duchess of Cornwall as Herself
 * Danny Dyer as Mick Carter
 * Kellie Bright as Linda Carter
 * Rose Ayling-Ellis as Frankie Lewis
 * Maddy Hill as Nancy Carter
 * James Farrar as Zack Hudson
 * James Bye as Martin Fowler
 * Natalie Cassidy as Sonia Fowler
 * Gillian Taylforth as Kathy Beale
 * Brian Conley as Rocky Cotton
 * Clay Milner-Russell as Bobby Beale
 * Perry Fenwick as Billy Mitchell
 * Charlie Brooks as Janine Butcher
 * Letitia Dean as Sharon Watts
 * Lorraine Stanley as Karen Taylor
 * Roger Griffiths as Mitch Baker
 * Clair Norris as Bernadette Taylor
 * Ross Boatman as Harvey Monroe
 * Barbara Smith as Dana Monroe
 * Shona McGarty as Whitney Dean
 * Tameka Empson as Kim Fox
 * Emma Barton as Honey Mitchell
 * Jamie Borthwick as Jay Brown
 * Lacey Turner as Stacey Slater
 * Heather Peace as Eve Unwin
 * Gurlaine Kaur Garcha as Ash Kaur
 * Balvinder Sopal as Suki Panesar
 * Jaz Singh Deol as Kheerat Panesar
 * Zaraah Abrahams as Chelsea Fox
 * Rudolph Walker as Patrick Trueman
 * Diane Parish as Denise Fox
 * Scott Maslen as Jack Branning
 * Abbie Burke as Amy Mitchell
 * Frankie Day as Ricky Mitchell
 * Kara-Leah Fernandes as Bailey Baker
 * Liz Sweet as Marie
 * Jane Slaughter as Tracey
 * Ben Champniss as Shrimpy
 * Ulric Browne as Winston
 * Jennifer Sims as Police Officer

Production
Chris Clenshaw, the Executive Producer of EastEnders described filming the episode as an "honour" and said it will "go down in "EastEnders" history". Rose Ayling-Ellis said that she was "touched"because the Royal party introduced themselves to her using British Sign Language and described meeting them as "really really special".

Reception
Anita Singh of The Telegraph described the episode as "surreal" and compared it to the dream sequence in Neighbours when Bouncer the Labrador imagined his wedding to a white collie. Kirsty McCormack of The Mirror described the episode as "cringeworthy". Calli Kitson of the Metro newspaper reported that some fans were unhappy that the iconic theme tune had been altered for the episode. Emily Baker of The i described Mick Carter pouring Prince Charles a glass of Cava as very "British" Journalist Jennie Bond described it as a "bit of fun".