Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee 2022: Queen says she is 'deeply touched' by jubilee celebration
The queen is the first British monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee.
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.
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Queen Elizabeth II, Prince William light jubilee beacons
Queen Elizabeth II and her grandson, Prince William, joined forces Thursday night for a lighting ceremony symbolizing the impact the queen has had around the world.
The queen appeared outside of Windsor Castle and touched a symbolic globe that set off a chain of lights to London, where William stood outside of Buckingham Palace.
There, the light landed at the “Tree of Trees,” a sculpture made of hundreds of indigenous British trees and plants. The tree is the symbolic culmination of The Queen’s Green Canopy, an initiative for the Platinum Jubilee that invited people across the U.K. to plant a tree.”
“Placing the ‘Tree of Trees’ at the heart of the beacon lighting reflects the Royal Family's long history of championing environmental causes and will pay a fitting tribute to Her Majesty’s 70 years of service to the nation,” Buckingham Palace said in a statement.
As the queen and William were participating in the beacon lighting ceremony, more than 1,500 beacons were set to light up across the U.K. and Commonwealth countries and territories.
Queen Elizabeth II to miss jubilee church service in her honor
Queen Elizabeth II will miss out on what was expected to be one of the highlights of her Platinum Jubilee, a National Service of Thanksgiving in her honor.
The 96-year-old queen will not attend Friday’s service at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, Buckingham Palace announced.
“The Queen greatly enjoyed today’s Birthday Parade and Flypast but did experience some discomfort,” the palace said in a statement. “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.”
The queen, “would like to thank all those who made today such a memorable occasion,” the statement concluded.
The palace has previously said the queen suffers from “episodic mobility problems.”
She appeared in good spirits Thursday while watching the Trooping the Color parade and the military flypast from the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
Thursday's Trooping the Color though marked the first time in her 70-year reign that Elizabeth has given the royal salute from the palace’s balcony. Her oldest child and heir, Prince Charles, took the royal salute on the parade ground and inspected the troops in her place.
Prince Andrew tests positive for COVID-19
Prince Andrew, the second-oldest son of Queen Elizabeth II, has tested positive for COVID-19, a royal source told ABC News.
Andrew’s diagnosis comes as the queen celebrates her Platinum Jubilee, marking 70 years on the throne. He was expected to join the royal family Friday at a national service of thanksgiving at St. Paul’s Cathedral, but will no longer attend, according to the royal source.
“After undertaking a routine test The Duke has tested positive for Covid and with regret will no longer be attending tomorrow’s service,” said the source.
As expected, Andrew did not appear with the royal family Thursday at Trooping the Color because he is no longer an active senior royal, including having returned his military titles and royal patronages to the queen earlier this year.
In February, Andrew agreed to settle a sexual assault lawsuit.
Bidens release video message to Queen
President Joe Biden and first lady Dr. Jill Biden tweeted a video message congratulating the Queen.
"Your Majesty, congratulations on your Platinum Jubilee. For 70 years, you've inspired people with your selfless devotion and service to the people of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth," Biden said. "Throughout your reign, the relationship between the United Kingdom and the United States has grown stronger and closer than ever."
The first lady added her own well-wishes. "Throughout the years, the joy your visits to the United States have brought Americans, and your solidarity with the American people in times of tragedy, have deepened the friendship and profound connection between our countries," she said. "And Joe and I were so touched by the generosity and welcome you showed to us when we visited you at Windsor Castle last year, during our first visit overseas as President and First Lady."
"Congratulations, Your Majesty, and have a wonderful Platinum Jubilee celebration," she added.
First lady Jill Biden sends personal message to Queen Elizabeth
First lady Dr. Jill Biden sent well wishes to Queen Elizabeth ahead of the monarch’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
The message from Dr. Biden aired exclusively Wednesday on “Good Morning America.”
“Your Majesty, Joe and I wish you a wonderful celebration of your Platinum Jubilee,” Biden said. “Congratulations on 70 years of service to the United Kingdom and Commonwealth, and thank you for your enduring friendship with the American people.”
Last year at Windsor Castle, Biden and her husband, President Joe Biden, visited Queen Elizabeth, who has met nearly every U.S. president elected during her 70-year reign.