Queen to miss Jubilee thanksgiving service at St Paul's due to 'discomfort'
The Queen will miss the national service of thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral in London after experiencing "some discomfort" during Thursday's events, Buckingham Palace has said.
In a statement, Buckingham Palace said: "The Queen greatly enjoyed today's Birthday Parade and Flypast but did experience some discomfort.
"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."
Hours after the statement, she rallied as planned to take part in a special dual beacon-lighting ceremony with the Duke of Cambridge.
The Queen led the lighting of the principal Platinum Jubilee beacon in a spectacular end to the first day of historic national commemorations celebrating her 70-year-reign.
The monarch's late-night appearance at Windsor Castle rounded off the start of festivities which saw the Queen take to the Buckingham Palace balcony surrounded by her family.
Watch: Military at heart of Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
Military involvement at the Service of Thanksgiving
St Paul's Cathedral will continue to host a service of thanksgiving for Her Majesty's 70 years of service even with the monarch having decided to withdraw from the event.
More than 250 service personnel will form a guard of honour and line the entrances to the cathedral.
Armed Forces personnel from nations throughout the Commonwealth will line the cathedral's west steps.
The Royal Navy will be represented by sailors from ships HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Lancaster, which both enjoy a special relationship with The Queen, The Duke of Lancaster.
Inside, The Band of Her Majesty's Royal Marines will provide music during the service.
They will be joined by four State Trumpeters of the Household Cavalry and nine Fanfare Trumpets of the Royal Air Force.
The Queen will be watching the service at St Paul's on television from Windsor Castle.
She is expected to be resting at her Berkshire residence after the busy start to the Jubilee festivities on Thursday.
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