Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee: Queen thanks public for celebration

The queen is the first British monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee.

Last Updated: June 5, 2022, 2:13 PM EDT

The U.K. threw a once-in-a-generation celebration for Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee.

The 96-year-old queen is the first British monarch in history to reach a Platinum Jubilee, which marks 70 years on the throne.

Elizabeth ascended to the throne on Feb. 6, 1952, following the death of her father, King George VI.

The queen's Platinum Jubilee celebration included everything from Trooping the Color to a National Service of Thanksgiving, a star-studded concert led by Diana Ross, thousands of lunches and street parties across the country and a final appearance by the queen herself.

Latest updates:

Here is how the news developed. All times Eastern.
Jun 04, 2022, 9:51 AM EDT

Harry, Meghan to miss Platinum Jubilee events on Lili’s 1st birthday

Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, are not expected to appear at any Platinum Jubilee events Saturday as they mark their daughter's first birthday.

A spokesperson for the couple said they “are planning to spend Saturday together privately as a family.”

The couple’s daughter, Lilibet "Lili" Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, turns 1 on Saturday, a birthday she is celebrating in the U.K., as both she and her brother, Archie, 3, traveled with their parents to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee.

The trip is believed to be Lili’s first visit to the U.K. and the first opportunity for her to meet her namesake, Elizabeth, whose family nickname is Lilibet.

Harry and Meghan have so far made one public appearance at the jubilee, joining royal family members Friday at a National Service of Thanksgiving for the queen at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London.

PHOTO: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend the service of thanksgiving for the Queen. on June 3, 2022 in London.
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend the service of thanksgiving for the Queen. on June 3, 2022 in London. The Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II is being celebrated from June 2 to June 5, 2022.
Wpa Pool/Getty Images

The Sussexes have for the past two years lived in California, where Lili was born. She is the first senior royal baby born in the U.S. and the first great-grandchild of the queen to be born outside of the U.K.

Jun 04, 2022, 8:52 AM EDT

William, Kate bring kids on visit to Cardiff Castle

Prince George and Princess Charlotte on Saturday made their second appearance at Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

George, 8, and Charlotte, 7, joined their parents, Prince William and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, at Cardiff Castle, where they met performers and crew who will be taking part in Saturday night’s Platinum Jubilee Celebration Concert at the castle.

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, and their children George and Charlotte visit Cardiff Castle in Wales, June 4, 2022, as part of the royal family's tour for Queen Elizabeth II's platinum jubilee celebrations.
Ashley Crowden/AFP via Getty Images

George, dressed in a blazer like his dad, and Charlotte, wearing a button-down coat like her mom, were seen waving to the crowds gathered and shaking hands with performers as they toured the concert preparations.

PHOTO: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Princess Charlotte of Cambridge, Prince George of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge during a visit to Cardiff Castle,  June 4, 2022 in Cardiff, Wales.
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Princess Charlotte of Cambridge, Prince George of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge during a visit to Cardiff Castle, June 4, 2022 in Cardiff, Wales.
Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Catherine Duchess of Cambridge, speaks to her children Prince George and Princess Charlotte during a visit to Cardiff Castle in Wales, June 4, 2022, as part of the royal family's tour for Queen Elizabeth II's platinum jubilee celebrations.
Ashley Crowden/AFP via Getty Images

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge with Prince George of Cambridge and Princess Charlotte of Cambridge during a visit to Cardiff Castle, June 4, 2022, in Cardiff, Wales.
Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Absent from the visit was George and Charlotte’s younger brother, 4-year-old Louis, who joined them earlier this week at Trooping the Color. Louis made headlines at Trooping the Color for his hilarious facial expressions and his apparently close relationship with the queen.

The pair were seen talking and pointing to things on the balcony of Buckingham Palace as they watched the military flypast.

Prince Charles, Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Louis, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Princess Charlotte, Prince George and Prince William on the balcony of Buckingham Palace during the Trooping the Color parade on June 2, 2022 in London.
Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Jun 04, 2022, 1:47 PM EDT

Royals show rainbow of fashion at Platinum Jubilee

Members of the royal family showed up in an array of colorful outfits on Friday to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II at Friday’s National Service of Thanksgiving for her Platinum Jubilee.

Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, stood out in a yellow coat dress by designer Emilia Wickstead while three of the queen’s granddaughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie and Zara Phillips Tindall, shined in shades of blue, orange and pink, respectively.

The queen’s daughter, Princess Anne, also stood out in a sage green dress and matching hat.

The royal women appeared to have taken a page out of Elizabeth's style book: The 96-year-old monarch is known for her brightly colored wardrobe.

Queen Elizabeth II's Style
GMA Photo Illustration, Getty Images

Another of the queen’s granddaughters, Lady Louise Windsor, chose a more muted cream look for Friday’s service, which was complemented by the off-white looks worn by Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex.

Take a look at the royal fashion below.

Jun 03, 2022, 11:01 AM EDT

Queen Elizabeth II will miss 2nd Platinum Jubilee event

Queen Elizabeth II will be absent from a second Platinum Jubilee event after missing Friday’s National Service of Thanksgiving at St. Paul’s Cathedral.

The 96-year-old queen, who is marking 70 years on the throne, will not attend the Epsom Derby on Saturday, Buckingham Palace has confirmed.

PHOTO: Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Louis, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Princess Charlotte, Prince George and Prince William, watch the Trooping the Colour parade on June 2, 2022 in London.
Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Louis of Cambridge, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Princess Charlotte of Cambridge, Prince George of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge on the balcony of Buckingham Palace watch the RAF flypast during the Trooping the Colour parade on June 2, 2022 in London.
Chris Jackson/Getty Images

The queen is instead expected to watch the horse race on television at Windsor Castle, according to the palace.

Elizabeth attended Thursday’s Trooping the Color and a beacon lighting ceremony later that night, but decided not to attend Friday’s service after experiencing "some discomfort" during previous events.

The palace has previously said the queen suffers from “episodic mobility problems.”

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