(UTV | LONDON) – Celebrations marking the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee have kicked off in London and around the United Kingdom, with huge crowds lining the streets of the British capital to catch a glimpse of the festivities.
The Queen appeared on the balcony of Buckingham Palace with other working royals as the Royal Air Force performed a fly-over featuring the Red Arrows aerobatic flight team as well as historic military aircraft.
It was her second public appearance of the day — earlier she appeared with a beaming smile alongside her cousin, the Duke of Kent, on the same balcony to welcome the crowds.
Buckingham Palace said the Queen had experienced some “discomfort” at the day’s events and would not attend a church service to mark her Platinum Jubilee.
It was with “great reluctance”, the palace said, the 96-year-old monarch decided to skip Friday’s service at St Paul’s Cathedral.
“The Queen greatly enjoyed today’s birthday parade and fly-past but did experience some discomfort,” the palace said.
Thursday marks not only the start of the Jubilee, but also the 69th anniversary of the coronation of Elizabeth, who became Queen on the death of her father George VI in February 1952.
The Platinum Jubilee will feature four days of parties, parades and pomp to pay tribute to the 96-year-old monarch and her 70-year reign on the British throne.
The celebrations began on Thursday morning with Trooping the Colour, a military parade performed by members of the British Army which dates back to the 17th century.
By mid-morning police were forced to warn people to stay away from the event, with viewing sites quickly filling up.
“The viewing areas in central London for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations are now full,” the Metropolitan Police said in a statement.
“To avoid the disappointment of not being able to enter the viewing areas please avoid the area.”
Earlier on Thursday, the Queen thanked those involved in the celebrations to mark her Platinum Jubilee.
“Thank you to everyone who has been involved in convening communities, families, neighbours and friends to mark my Platinum Jubilee, in the United Kingdom and across the Commonwealth,” she said in a statement.
“I continue to be inspired by the goodwill shown to me, and hope that the coming days will provide an opportunity to reflect on all that has been achieved during the last 70 years, as we look to the future with confidence and enthusiasm.”
It was revealed later on Thursday that Andrew, the Duke of York, would not attend Friday’s National Service of Thanksgiving after testing positive to COVID-19.
“After undertaking a routine test the Duke of York has tested positive for COVID and with regret will no longer be attending tomorrow’s service of Thanksgiving,” a spokesperson told.
