The Sad Reason Queen Elizabeth Is Pulling Out Of An Upcoming Platinum Jubliee Service
Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee celebration is a big deal. The event celebrates 70 years of service as queen. She has made history as the monarch to hold the throne the longest, making the festivities even more special (via Harper's Bazaar).
The queen's Platinum Jubilee includes an expected musical performance by Ed Sheeran as well as most members of the royal family, including Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, in attendance (via Page Six). Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are returning with their children to the United Kingdom for the first time since stepping away from their royal duties in 2020.
Queen Elizabeth's celebrations have been massive, with an opening day parade that brought out thousands of excited fans. The queen was in attendance, of course, watching over from the infamous balcony with several members of the royal family. However, it seems she will not be attending one of the upcoming events, one that Prince Andrew is also going to be absent from as well.
Queen Elizabeth will be missing her Service of Thanksgiving
One of Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee festivities is set to take place at St. Paul's Cathedral on Friday. For the Service of Thanksgiving, Prince Andrew, the queen's disgraced son, was planning on attending. However, he has since tested positive for COVID-19 and will no longer be joining the event (via The Guardian).
Prince Andrew will not be the only royal missing from the service. Queen Elizabeth herself will be absent for an upsetting reason. According to Page Six, the queen is feeling a bit under the weather following day one's festivities and will not be attending the service.
In a statement issued by the royal family, a spokesperson shared, "The Queen greatly enjoyed today's Birthday Parade and Flypast but did experience some discomfort."
They continued, "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," adding, "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."
The news may be unsettling to fans of the royal family, as Queen Elizabeth has struggled with her health throughout the year. However, it seems mobility has become an issue for the queen and could be the reason she needs to skip the service on Friday.