Day 2 of Jubliee: What time is the Jubilee service today?
Friday is the second day of the platinum jubilee celebrations, which marks the Queen’s 70-year reign.
Yesterday, thousands of people gathered to watch the Trooping the Colour – an incredible spectacle of soldiers, musicians and horses marching up The Mall to Buckingham Palace. But today’s events will be quieter and much more private.
There will be a Service of Thanksgiving for the Queen taking place at St Paul’s Cathedral – bringing together most members of the royal family. However, the queen herself will not be in attendance after experiencing “some discomfort” during Thursday’s events.
The statement said: “Taking into account the journey and activity required to participate in tomorrow’s National Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral, Her Majesty, with great reluctance, has concluded that she will not attend.
“The Queen is looking forward to participating in tonight’s beacon lighting event at Windsor Castle, and would like to thank all those who made today such a memorable occasion.”
Prince Andrew is also not attending after he tested positive for Covid. There was speculation he could attend – to much criticism from the public, in what would have been his second public appearance since he reached a settlement in the sexual abuse case brought against him.
The Duke denies the claims against him. But in February he agreed to pay millions to settle the civil case.
Prince Harry and Meghan are expected to attend today service – their first time they have returned to the UK with Archie and their daughter Lili since they stepped down from royal duties in 2020.
The Dean of St Paul’s, the Very Reverend Dr David Ison, said: “It is a great honour to hold a Service of Thanksgiving for the reign of Her Majesty the Queen and to celebrate her 70 years of service to the UK and the Commonwealth.”
The service will also see Great Paul, the largest church bell in the country, be rung for a royal occasion for the first time
It will be broadcast on BBC One from 9.15am, although members of the royal family are only expected to arrive from approximately 11am.
Prince Louis on Buckingham Palace balcony – little royal steals show
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