The Archbishop of Canterbury has pulled out of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee service as he is battling Covid and pneumonia.
The Most Rev Justin Welby will no longer preach at the Service of Thanksgiving for the monarch's reign at St Paul's Cathedral on Friday.
The 66-year-old was diagnosed with mild pneumonia on Thursday and tested positive for coronavirus this morning.
The Archbishop has shared his sadness about missing the upcoming service, which Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will be attending.
He said: "I am deeply saddened to be missing the historic celebration of Her Majesty The Queen's Platinum Jubilee. I will be praying for The Queen and giving thanks for her extraordinary seventy years of service to us all.
"I will also be praying for our nation at this time of celebration and thanksgiving. May the Queen's example bring us together in unity and care for one another."
He praised the Queen for her selfless sacrifice in living a life 'for the benefit of others'.
A spokesman for the Archbishop said: "Following medical advice and national coronavirus guidance, the Archbishop is resting at home and avoiding contact with others, and has cancelled all engagements this week."
The Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell will take Most Rev Justin Welby's place at the service.
Prince Harry, 37, and Meghan, 40, will attend the Service of Thanksgiving for the Queen.
Get all the latest news sent to your inbox. Sign up for the free Mirror newsletter
The couple are likely to be in attendance in at least one other public engagement across the weekend Bank Holiday weekend, but sources have said 'not to expect them at every event' with decisions on attendance likely to be confirmed on the day.
There have been suggestions the pair could be in the VIP section to watch Thursday's 'Trooping the Colour: The Queen’s Birthday Parade' at Horse Guard's Parade. Only working Royals are given the privilege of appearing on the Buckingham Palace balcony during the service, however.
It is likely the Sussexes will also spend time privately with other members of the Royal Family - including Prince Charles - who is yet to meet granddaughter, Lilibet.
It will also be the first time the Prince of Wales has seen grandson Archie since he was a baby.
It remains unclear at this stage if the four will spend time alone with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their three children, George, eight, Charlotte, seven, and Louis, four.
William was widely believed to have been hit hardest by his brother's decision to "step back as 'senior' members" of the Royal Family in January 2020.
Since then Meghan has hardly seen any of the Royal Family, whilst Harry has only briefly seen his grandmother, father and brother.
It is not yet known, meanwhile, if Harry and Meghan will be accompanied by a Netflix camera crew or personal photographers to document their trip.
