The Queen's Platinum Jubilee began with much celebration on Thursday June 2. There are many events to look forward to over the next three days, the National Service of Thanksgiving being one of the them.
Taking place at St Paul’s Cathedral in London, the service honours the Queen for her Platinum Jubilee, marking 70 years on the throne.
Royal Family members will be in attendance at the event, though the Archbishop of Canterbury won’t be present for the occasion after falling ill with Covid. The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, will take Most Rev Justin Welby's place at the service.
Sadly the Queen has also pulled out after palace officials said she would try to pace herself over the bank holiday weekend.
In a weekend filled with parties and festivities, the church service one of the more important events of the long bank holiday.
What is the National Service of Thanksgiving?
The National Service of Thanksgiving is a historic event being held at St Paul’s Cathedral.
It will be a service that will honour Her Majesty the Queen and her 70-year reign as part of the Platinum Jubilee.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will be back with the firm for the service, after flying in specially to mark the occasion.
However, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, won’t be there after being diagnosed with pneumonia and Covid-19.
In a statement, he said: “I am deeply saddened to be missing the historic celebration of Her Majesty the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
"However, I will be praying for the Queen and giving thanks for her extraordinary 70 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."
Will the Queen attend the National Service of Thanksgiving?
The National Service of Thanksgiving is in honour of the Queen, but the 96-year-old monarch will not be attendance, according to a statement from Buckingham Palace.
In a statement, a spokesperson 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."
Despite experiencing episodic mobility issues preventing from taking part in all the celebrations, the Queen still participated in the lighting of the Jubilee beacons at Windsor Castle on Thursday night.
Her son Prince Andrew will also be skipping the service after contracting Covid-19.
When is the National Service of Thanksgiving?
The service itself is being held on Friday June 3. It will start at 9:15am and will last until around 12:30pm.
How to watch the National Service of Thanksgiving live
A Service of Thanksgiving will be available to watch on BBC One from 9:15am.
It will also be airing on BBC iPlayer as part of its live streaming service.
For those who can't watch it live, it will remain on BBC iPlayer as part of its catch-up service.
