Summary

  • The Archbishop of York thanks the Queen for "staying the course" in his sermon at the Jubilee service of thanksgiving

  • Members of the Royal Family and leading politicians were joined by 400 key workers and volunteers at St Paul's Cathedral

  • The Queen herself was not there after experiencing "discomfort" following celebrations on Thursday and watched on TV at Windsor Castle

  • Prince Charles, Prince William, Prince Harry and Meghan all attended

  • It was the first public appearance in the UK for Harry and Meghan in two years - they kept a low-profile at yesterday's events

  • This is day two of four days of celebrations for the Queen's 70 years on the throne

  1. Thanks for joining uspublished at 14:41 British Summer Time 3 June 2022

    We're going to be ending our coverage shortly.

    Today's live page was edited by Chris Giles and Kevin Ponniah.

    The writers were Jo Couzens, Thom Poole and Andre Rhoden-Paul.

    Join us tomorrow.

    Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of CambridgeImage source, Getty Images
  2. What's happening on Sunday?published at 14:35 British Summer Time 3 June 2022

    Projections are seen displayed on the front of the Buckingham Palace during the lighting of the principal jubilee beaconImage source, Reuters

    On the fourth and final day of Jubilee celebrations, expect more community-focused events and, of course, some more pomp and ceremony to round off the weekend.

    At 14:30, there will be a pageant involving more than 10,000 people, including the military, 6,000 volunteers, performers, key workers and 2,500 members of the public.

    It will take place against the backdrop of Buckingham Palace - with a nearly two-mile carnival procession up the Mall featuring puppets, celebrities and tributes to the seven decades of the Queen's reign.

    The Mounted Band of the Household Cavalry will lead The Gold State Coach along the pageant route.

    The Coach is used to transport the monarch on coronation and jubilees - it hasn't been seen on the streets of London for 20 years.

    The finale at 17:00 will feature a performance from Ed Sheeran, and the singing of the national anthem in front of the palace.

  3. Get set for a party at the palacepublished at 14:25 British Summer Time 3 June 2022

    Diana RossImage source, Getty Images

    As the Jubilee weekend continues, we can look forward to a platinum party at Buckingham Palace tomorrow night - featuring the likes of Diana Ross, Sir Elton John and Sir Rod Stewart.

    Last minute preparations are taking place for the event on Saturday night, which also includes Alicia Keys, Duran Duran, Craig David, Ms Banks and Queen featuring Adam Lambert.

    Other famous faces taking part from the worlds of sport, stage and screen include Sir David Attenborough, tennis star Emma Raducanu, David Beckham, Stephen Fry and Dame Julie Andrews.

    Broadcaster Kirsty Young and Roman Kemp will lead the BBC's live coverage of the concert.

    You can watch it from 20:00 on BBC One and iPlayer - or listen along on BBC Radio 2.

  4. Queen has given continuity and stability - Lord Mayorpublished at 14:20 British Summer Time 3 June 2022

    The Prince of Wales , Queen Elizabeth II , Prince Louis, the Duchess of Cambridge, Princess Charlotte, Prince George, and the Duke of Cambridge on the balcony of Buckingham Palace yesterdayImage source, PA Media

    A little earlier we told you members of the Royal Family are attending a reception hosted by the Lord Mayor of London.

    Speaking at the Guildhall, the Lord Mayor Vincent Keaveny told the Prince of Wales and other guests, the Queen "has been a great example of duty and public service for all of us.

    "She is one of the most widely recognised and respected people in the world.

    "And for 70 years she has provided continuity, stability and unity."

    He added: "All of us here are very grateful for the service she has given and the way she has served as head of state - with dignity, devotion and a deeply rooted faith."

  5. Polls show two-thirds in favour of monarchypublished at 14:09 British Summer Time 3 June 2022

    Republic anti-monarchy billboard

    There's been some interesting new polling ahead of the jubilee, confirming that while a majority of people support the monarchy, certainly not everyone does.

    According to a recent YouGov poll, 62% were in favour of the monarchy, 22% wanted an elected head of state, and 16% said they did not know.

    Another survey this week, carried out by Ipsos-Mori, showed 68% in favour of the monarchy and 22% preferring a republic, with 10% saying they didn’t know.

    YouGov's research also found young people were much more evenly split on supporting the monarchy or not compared to older people. And people in Scotland and London also had more divergent views.

    The QueenImage source, PA Media

    Writer Andrew Scott, who writes as Otto English, tells the BBC he thinks the monarchy reinforces elitism and notions of class.

    The journalist, who will be speaking at an anti-monarchy conference put on by campaign group Republic, says: "I think change is afoot and I believe we all need to have a grown up conversation about the direction of this country.

    "Do we want to keep a hereditary head of state or do we want to become something else?"

  6. 'We Muslims needed support - and it came from the Queen'published at 13:57 British Summer Time 3 June 2022

    Aleem Maqbool
    Religion editor

    Mohammed Afzal Khan
    Image caption,

    Mohammed Afzal Khan says a visit by the Queen in 2002 had a huge impact

    The thanksgiving service has been an opportunity to reflect on the Queen’s faith, but also on how she has sought to reach out to those with other beliefs.

    In 2002, the Queen made the first visit by a monarch to a British mosque.

    The timing of the visit, just months after the 9/11 attacks in the US, made the event all the more ground-breaking and it was headline news.

    "The events of 9/11 affected us all," Mohammed Afzal Khan told me in the same small place of worship in Scunthorpe the Queen had been to.

    "But as Muslims at that time, we were frightened and we needed some sort of support from someone - and that support came from the Queen."

    In what he says was one of the most treasured moments of his life, Mr Khan presented a Quran to the Queen. He said the occasion instantly had a huge impact on thousands across the country.

    "After her visit, we had the feeling that we (Muslims) were the same (as other British people) - that it doesn’t matter if anybody shouted "terrorists" at us, we're still British.

    "Now if anyone ever says anything bad about the Queen, I will be very upset."

  7. It was a subdued but cheerful thanksgiving servicepublished at 13:43 British Summer Time 3 June 2022

    Sean Coughlan
    Royal correspondent

    Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks during the National Service of ThanksgivingImage source, Reuters

    With the Queen having to miss her own thanksgiving service it was always going to be a slightly subdued event.

    But it was still a cheerful gathering, with the Archbishop of York addressing his sermon to the Queen watching on television at home.

    In a nod to her love of horse racing he praised her for “staying the course” for such a long reign of duty and public service.

    His sermon ticked a number of her key interests: God, horses and a good sense of humour.

    Boris Johnson faced some boos from the crowd outside but for the Royal Family it was a unifying image.

    Prince Harry and Meghan seamlessly returned to a major royal event for the first time in two years.

    In a sign of things to come, Prince Charles and Camilla, Prince William and Catherine, took over the main ceremonial roles, with that quartet of senior royals increasingly taking on the responsibilities of the monarch.

    There were choirs, ringing bells, famous faces in the congregation and prayers.

    But there was also a poignancy to the absence of the Queen, the central focus of the event.

    Harry and Meghan in their seats inside St Paul'sImage source, Reuters
  8. Smoked salmon and beetroot shortbread on menu at Guildhall eventpublished at 13:33 British Summer Time 3 June 2022

    Adina Campbell
    BBC community affairs correspondent

    Members of the City of London Company of Pikemen and Musketeers march outside GuildhallImage source, PA Media
    Image caption,

    Members of the City of London Company of Pikemen and Musketeers march outside the Guildhall

    Loud cheers from nearby crowds and a ceremonial unit of Pikemen and Musketeers greeted senior members of the royal family as they arrived into the sunny courtyard of London’s Guildhall.

    Along with senior politicians and representatives of the Army, they are taking part in a reception hosted by the Lord Mayor of the city of London.

    And we know what’s on the menu for the event. They will be tucking into smoked Norfolk duck breast, smoked salmon, beetroot shortbread and clotted cream vanilla ice cream - a welcome treat on this warm, bright day.

    Lord Mayor Vincent Keavney is making a short speech during this two-hour reception in which he will thank the Queen for her continued stability and unity.

    The Guildhall plays a huge role in ceremonial events like this one, dating back to the Queen's coronation in 1953 when a special banquet was held here in her honour.

    Today’s guests will be given a tour of the building, including its art gallery, Great Hall and the Old Library.

  9. Queen is most popular royal, according to pollspublished at 13:23 British Summer Time 3 June 2022

    Sean Coughlan
    Royal correspondent

    The QueenImage source, Getty Images

    Opinion polls show a very consistent picture of the Queen being the most popular royal.

    This week a survey from YouGov showed 81% of the public held a positive opinion of the Queen, versus 12% who were negative, with some others not having an opinion.

    In the popularity rankings, the Queen was followed by Prince William, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.

    But Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex had fallen to their lowest levels of popularity.

    It follows a pattern in which the Queen’s personal popularity seems to extend beyond support for the monarchy - more on that shortly.

  10. Pavements remained packed throughout thanksgiving servicepublished at 13:09 British Summer Time 3 June 2022

    Royal watchers at St Paul's

    Thousands of people are estimated to have gathered outside St Paul's, although we're still waiting for an official number from the Met Police.

    Despite them not being able to hear what was going on inside the cathedral, crowds stayed to see the royal family leave the thanksgiving service.

    One woman, who travelled from Cannock Chase, Staffordshire, said: "It's the atmosphere - its been brilliant just seeing all the people.

    "Although I haven't seen the Royal Family, I've seen lots of cars its been great."

  11. Senior royals arrive for receptionpublished at 13:00 British Summer Time 3 June 2022

    Charles and Camilla arrive at GuildhallImage source, PA Media

    The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall have made their way to the Guildhall reception where those inside have been spotted mingling, with a glass of English sparkling wine in hand.

    The Duchess of Cambridge, Zara and Mike Tindall were also seen making their way inside.

    Duchess of Cambridge arrives at the GuildhallImage source, PA Media
    Zara and Mike Tindall at the GuildhallImage source, PA Media
  12. PM joins royals in first arrivals at Guildhall receptionpublished at 12:46 British Summer Time 3 June 2022

    PM Boris Johnson attending event at Guildhall

    Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Home Secretary Priti Patel are among guests at the Guildhall reception.

    Other royals attending include the Earl and Countess of Wessex, and Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie and their husbands.

    The Wessexes arrived with their children Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor and Viscount Severn.

  13. Queen has embraced change - Sadiq Khanpublished at 12:40 British Summer Time 3 June 2022

    The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan says the world's eyes are on London during the Platinum Jubilee.

    Talking about why he thinks the crowds have turned he told us:

    Quote Message

    The longest serving monarch in history - just think about her majesty's reign from the first ever pride 50 years ago and first ever carnival 56 years ago."

    Quote Message

    She's reigned over our city, our country becoming more diverse and she's really embraced that and that's why there's so much warmth, love and affection from all of us towards her."

  14. What next for the day?published at 12:32 British Summer Time 3 June 2022

    Prince Edward and Princess Anne

    Right, the thanksgiving service has come to an end. Next up is a reception at Guildhall in London, hosted by the Lord Mayor of London.

    Most of the Royal Family are expected to attend.

    The Princess Royal, Anne, is going to Edinburgh with her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence.

    She's visiting Edinburgh Zoo, where she will see the Penguin Enclosure, before heading to the HMS Albion for a tour.

    The Queen is resting at Windsor.

    The Duke and Duchess of Sussex leave the National Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul's CathedraImage source, PA Media
  15. Royals start to make their way outpublished at 12:24 British Summer Time 3 June 2022

    Charles and CamillaImage source, Getty Images

    Prince Charles and Camilla make their way from the seats, joining the procession out of the Cathedral with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

    Princess Eugenie and Zara Tindall file in behind, alongside their husbands.

    Crowds outside the cathedral are cheering.

  16. Bells ring out and choirs sing as service comes to endpublished at 12:22 British Summer Time 3 June 2022

    Prince Charles at St Paul's CathedralImage source, Reuters
    Image caption,

    Prince Charles leaves the service at St Paul's Cathedral

    As the service ends, the choirs of St Paul’s Cathedral and Her Majesty’s Chapel Royal will come together to sing I Was Glad by Sir Hubert Parry.

    It has been notably performed at every British coronation - and now the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.

    As before the service, the St Paul’s Cathedral Guild of Ringers will ring Stedman Cinques, joined by Great Paul - a church bell which weighs more than 16 tons and is the largest ever cast in the British Isles.

    Today's service is the first royal occasion it has been rung since its restoration in 2021.

    After the service, the peal will involve about four hours of continuous ringing.

  17. National anthem and service draws to a closepublished at 12:21 British Summer Time 3 June 2022

    The congregation joined in a rousing rendition of the National Anthem.

    It was followed by William Fox, acting organist, playing Sir William Walton's March.

  18. New anthem composed for servicepublished at 12:14 British Summer Time 3 June 2022

    Choir in St Paul's

    Today's thanksgiving service includes a new anthem that sets to music words from the third chapter of the Book of Proverbs.

    By Wisdom, the piece composed by Judith Weir, master of the Queen’s music, was specially created to mark her the Platinum Jubilee.

    This is its first-ever performance.

  19. WATCH: Thanks given for Queen who is 'still in the saddle'published at 12:09 British Summer Time 3 June 2022

    Sean Coughlan
    Royal correspondent

    Media caption,

    "I'm afraid I don't have any great tips for the Derby tomorrow" - Archbishop of York

    The Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell’s sermon drew heavily on horse racing metaphors - something sure to please the Queen.

    Addressing the Queen at home watching the service on television, he said he didn’t have any tips for Saturday’s derby.

    But he commended her for “staying the course” and said that the “race of life” was more like the longer distance of the Aintree course, rather than the sprint of the Epsom Derby.

    The Queen has often spoken of the importance of her religious faith.

    The archbishop praised and commended her for a “staunch constancy and a steadfast consistency, a faithfulness to God, an obedience to a vocation”.

  20. More pictures from St Paul'spublished at 12:03 British Summer Time 3 June 2022

    Camilla and Charles at a service at St Paul'sImage source, Camilla and Charles at a service at St Paul's
    Image caption,

    Prince Charles is representing the Queen at the service

    Prince Harry and Princess BeatriceImage source, Reuters
    Image caption,

    Something seemed to have amused Prince Harry and Princess Beatrice before the ceremony began

    UK PM Boris Johnson, his wife Carrie, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss and Home Secretary Priti Patel at St Paul'sImage source, PA Media
    Image caption,

    UK PM Boris Johnson, his wife Carrie, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss and Home Secretary Priti Patel are sitting together