Queen’s Platinum Jubilee: Queen lights beacon but will miss service after 'discomfort'

Summary

The Queen will not attend the National Service of Thanksgiving on Friday after experiencing 'discomfort' on Thursday
Her Majesty still participated in the beacon lighting event on Thursday evening
More than 3,500 beacons are being lit across the UK and in the capital cities of Commonwealth countries
The Queen came to the throne 70 years ago and is Britain's longest-reigning monarch
Earlier she appeared on the balcony at Buckingham Palace as huge crowds celebrated her Platinum Jubilee
The celebrations are spread over four days of events, and began with Trooping the Colour earlier today
Prince Harry and Meghan kept a low profile, but watched from a building overlooking the parade ground, close to Buckingham Palace
Meanwhile, Prince Andrew, the Queen's second son, has tested positive for Covid

Live Reporting

By Owen Amos and Doug Faulkner

Cloud-splitting culmination to morning of pageantrypublished at 13:28 British Summer Time 2 June 2022
Sean Coughlan
Royal correspondent, reporting from Buckingham Palace
Image source, Getty Images
The Queen stood on the balcony for the flypast, watching helicopters and planes thundering over Buckingham Palace.
It was the cloud-splitting culmination of a morning of precision pageantry. Everything went smoothly, even the weather.
The flying formation picked out the number 70 in the sky, above a cheering crowd.
Image source, Getty Images
The Queen, who has had a tricky year with health problems, smiled and looked relaxed.
Maybe Prince Charles looked slightly relieved. This balcony scene, with the “working royals” gathered around the Queen, will be one of the defining images of the Jubilee weekend.
It’s a picture we’ll see for years to come.
The Queen and her family stepped back into the palace and the balcony windows closed. The first part of the Jubilee mission was accomplished.
Image source, Getty Images
WATCH: Gun salutes for Queen's 70 yearspublished at 13:15 British Summer Time 2 June 2022
Gun salutes have taken place in Hyde Park to pay tribute to the Queen as she marks 70 years on the throne. There were 82 salutes - here's just three of them.
Red Arrows thrill crowds (and the Queen)published at 13:13 British Summer Time 2 June 2022
The Red Arrows roared over just now, as the Queen watched with a big smile on her face.
Image source, Getty Images
Typhoons spell out 70 in special displaypublished at 13:08 British Summer Time 2 June 2022
Image source, get
A special formation of 15 Typhoons has spelt out "70" to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.
The monarch was seen smiling as she gathered alongside senior royals on the Buckingham Palace balcony to watch.
Whirr of helicopters signals start of flypastpublished at 13:01 British Summer Time 2 June 2022
The whirr of a Royal Navy Wildcat helicopter is the signal that the Buckingham Palace Jubilee flypast is about to be under way.
They will be followed by a succession of both modern and historic aircraft including a Spitfire, Hurricane, Lancaster, Voyager, Typhoon and Hawk T1.
The Queen and senior royals are observing from the iconic balcony at Buckingham Palace.
Senior royals gather on balconypublished at 13:00 British Summer Time 2 June 2022
Senior royals are now gathering beside the Queen on the Buckingham Palace balcony ahead of the Jubilee flypast.
Who will and who won’t be in this year's balcony picturepublished at 12:57 British Summer Time 2 June 2022
Sean Coughlan
BBC News, royal correspondent
Image source, PA Media
Image caption,
Jubilee appearances on the Buckingham Palace balcony offer a fascinating insight into the shape and future of the monarchy.
We're expecting a group balcony moment at 1pm.
There will be cheers and waves for those who appear, but there will also be plenty of discussion about who’s missing.
There will be no Prince Andrew, Prince Harry or Meghan, after a firm decision taken last month that only “working royals” were being invited.
The message around Prince Harry and Meghan is that there are no "half-in, half-out” members of the Royal Family. They’ve stepped down from royal duties and so are not part of the balcony line-up.
Limiting it to “working royals” is also a convenient way of ruling out Prince Andrew, who ended his royal role in 2019 as controversy swirled around his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The balcony isn’t just a viewing platform, there’s a lot of symbolism attached. People don’t just stand on it, they “appear”, as though this were a stage or a performance.
It’s a sign of approval.
And choices about who is included or excluded sends a message about the image that the Royal Family wants to project.
In pictures: The balcony momentpublished at 12:55 British Summer Time 2 June 2022
Shortly, we'll see the Queen back on the balcony of Buckingham Palace - this time with working members of the Royal Family.
As you’ll see from the photos below, it tends to be a showpiece moment during Jubilee celebrations.
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
The Queen’s appearance delighted crowds who lined the mall to celebrate her 25 years on the throne in June 1977.
Image source, Getty Images
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There was a packed programme of events for the Golden Jubilee in 2002 – ending in a traditional fly-past above Buckingham Palace.
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The Duke of Edinburgh was notably absent during for 2012’s balcony moment for the Diamond Jubilee, as he was in hospital.
What will we see in the skies above Buckingham Palace?published at 12:46 British Summer Time 2 June 2022
We're looking forward next to what promises to be a spectacular air show.
Some 70 aircraft from the Royal Air Force, Royal Navy and Army are in the skies and making their way towards Buckingham Palace for a flypast.
Here's your chance to play eye-spy - tick them off, one by one.
Spot the difference: Sailor suits more than 30 years apartpublished at 12:42 British Summer Time 2 June 2022
While we're on royal fashion - the sailor-style white and navy outfit worn by Prince Louis looks just like the one his father wore to watch Trooping the Colour back in 1985.
Exhibit A: Four-year-old Prince Louis, flanked by older siblings Prince George and Princess Charlotte, in a horse-drawn carriage during Trooping The Colour today.
Exhibit B: Prince William, Zara Phillips, and Lady Davina Windsor stand on the balcony of Buckingham Palace during Trooping the Colour on June 15, 1985.
Image source, Getty Images
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Prince Louis, centre, pictured today
Image source, Getty Images
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...But Prince William wore it first
Queen beams in bluepublished at 12:38 British Summer Time 2 June 2022
Sean Coughlan
BBC News, royal correspondent
Image source, PA Media
For the fashionistas, the Queen is wearing an outfit described as being in a "dusky dove blue".
It’s designed by Angela Kelly and is the outfit worn in yesterday’s official photo.
WATCH: Queen appears on the Buckingham Palace balconypublished at 12:34 British Summer Time 2 June 2022
The Queen was joined by her cousin, the Duke of Kent, to inspect parading troops.
'Even if you can’t see, the atmosphere is great'published at 12:28 British Summer Time 2 June 2022
Jon Kelly
Reporting from The Mall
Image caption,
Wilkins family (L-R): Zoe, Isla, Archie, Carl, Millie and dog Obi
As the royal carriage made its way down The Mall, Millie Wilkins, 20, and her sister Isla, 13, squeezed their way to the front of the crowd.
Their early journey down from Tamworth, Staffordshire, had been rewarded with close-up sightings of the Duchesses of Cornwall and Cambridge as well as Prince George and Princess Charlotte.
Behind Millie and Isla at the back of the throng, however, dad Carl, mum Zoe and Isla’s twin brother George could only make out what was going on through the screens of other people’s smartphones that were held up around them. Not that they minded.
“Even if you can’t see anything the atmosphere is great,” says Carl, 43, an HGV driver.
Queen appears on Buckingham Palace balconypublished at 12:22 British Summer Time 2 June 2022
Image source, PA Media
The Queen has appeared on the Buckingham Palace balcony as part of official celebrations for her Platinum Jubilee.
The 96-year-old monarch was seen watching troops returning from the official Trooping of the Colour ceremony.
She was joined by her cousin, the Duke of Kent, to inspect parading troops.
Stepladders and binoculars to catch a glimpse of the actionpublished at 12:18 British Summer Time 2 June 2022
Thom Poole
At Horse Guards Parade
On the outskirts of Horse Guards Parade it is a challenge to get a view.
One forward-thinking man brought a pair of binoculars. "You never know what you'll be able to see," he says.
Sharon and Alan, from Macclesfield, are watching Trooping the Colour for a third time and say they've never seen it so busy.
Fortunately they came prepared with a stepladder.
Royals are on the move againpublished at 12:17 British Summer Time 2 June 2022
Image source, .
Back in their carriage, the Duchess of Cornwall and the Duchess of Cambridge and her three children are now making their way towards Buckingham Palace.
Charles takes final birthday salutepublished at 12:09 British Summer Time 2 June 2022
The Prince of Wales has taken the final birthday salute on behalf of the Queen at Horse Guards Parade.
Those gathered at the parade ground stood to attention as the National Anthem played.
Prince Harry and Meghan are here but haven't been spottedpublished at 11:58 British Summer Time 2 June 2022
Sean Coughlan
Royal correspondent, at Buckingham Palace
Prince Harry and Meghan are here as spectators, although so far we haven't had sight of them.
We understand they are watching the military inspection from the window of a building on Horse Guards Parade - the Duke of Wellington's former office.
It seems to be a low-key return for the pair, carefully avoiding any accusations about stealing the limelight.
They divide opinion, but there’s no avoiding how much public interest they generate.
They’re not part of the carriage procession and they won’t be on the Buckingham Palace balcony.
But they are here and part of the family gathering. They’re expected to be at St Paul’s on Friday and there’s speculation about meetings with the Queen.
In pictures: Jubilee dogs and their ownerspublished at 11:53 British Summer Time 2 June 2022
Thom Poole
Reporting from The Mall
From the same team that brings you dogs at polling stations, here are dogs at the Queen's birthday.
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Ian with his dogs Gordon and Eric - sporting patriotic neckties
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Juan and his pooch Milo - draped in a Union Jack
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Michelle and camera shy Reggie - perhaps he wants an accessory too
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Stuart's come along with his dog Soya
Royal Standard raised above Buckingham Palacepublished at 11:45 British Summer Time 2 June 2022
The Royal Standard has been raised above Buckingham Palace - signalling the Queen is in residence.
It comes ahead of a planned balcony appearance by the monarch this lunchtime.