United Kingdom

The Queen will miss the Thanksgiving service in St. Paul, Buckingham Palace said

The Queen will not attend the Thanksgiving service at St. Paul’s Cathedral on Friday morning, Buckingham Palace said.

The palace said the decision was made after Her Majesty felt some discomfort after a parade marking the start of her platinum anniversary celebrations on Thursday.

In a statement, a spokeswoman said: “The Queen enjoyed today’s birthday parade and Flypast, but experienced some discomfort.

“Taking into account the travel and activities required to participate in tomorrow’s National Thanksgiving Service at St. Paul’s Cathedral, Her Majesty reluctantly concluded that she would not be present.

“The Queen is looking forward to taking part in tonight’s Beacon lighting event at Windsor Castle and would like to thank everyone who made such a memorable occasion today.”

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Huge crowds celebrate the first day of the platinum jubilee as the Queen makes history on June 2, 2022. What time is the Queen’s Thanksgiving service at St. Paul’s Cathedral on BBC One on June 2, 2022?

One of the most significant jubilee celebrations is the Thanksgiving service, which marks the Queen’s position as spiritual leader and head of the Church of England.

The 96-year-old monarch has been involved in fewer public duties in recent months due to mobility problems.

But she was seen waving thousands of well-wishers from the balcony of Buckingham Palace on Thursday morning.

She was accompanied by other senior members of the royal family, including the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge with their three children, Prince Charles and Camilla and the Duke of Kent, for Trooping the Color, the annual event that marks the beginning of the festivities.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex also arrived in London from their home in the United States to join the festivities, but were not seen on the balcony.

The palace said earlier on Thursday that Prince Andrew had tested positive for Covid-19 and would therefore miss the Thanksgiving service on Friday.

Members of the royal family have to watch the lighting of the main lighthouse in the palace – a 21-meter sculpture “Tree of Trees” on Thursday night and the presence of the queen was confirmed.

After tomorrow’s Thanksgiving service, the royal family is scheduled to attend a Guildhall reception hosted by the Lord Mayor at 12.25pm.

On Saturday, the Queen will attend the Epsom Derby race, where the monarch will be greeted with a guard of honor.

The members of the royal family will then make their way to the BBC’s platinum party at the palace’s concert, which starts at 8pm and includes stars including Queen + Adam Lambert, Alicia Keys, Duran Duran and Diana Ross. live on BBC One.

On Sunday you will see street parties and big jubilee lunches up and down the country, while the jubilee competition, featuring performers from the British Commonwealth, telling the most important chapters of Her Majesty’s administration, will start at 2.30pm.