Queen Elizabeth will miss Friday’s Jubilee service at St Paul’s Cathedral in London after feeling “some discomfort” on the flyover on Thursday.
A statement from Buckingham Palace said the Queen would not attend “with great reluctance”.
“The Queen really enjoyed today’s birthday parade and flyover, but felt some discomfort.
Aaron Chown
Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Kent look on from the Buckingham Place balcony after the Trooping the Color ceremony in London on Thursday.
“Given the travel and activity required to attend tomorrow’s National Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral, Her Majesty has concluded, with great reluctance, that she will not attend.
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“The Queen looks forward to attending tonight’s lighthouse lighting event at Windsor Castle and would like to thank all those who made today such a memorable occasion.”
The queen was due to be present at the service, which is believed to be the centerpiece of the celebrations as the entire royal family will be together, at midnight on Friday. (11:00 UK local time)
The queen has already suffered “episodic mobility problems” that have forced multiple cancellations of her participation in events. But she doesn’t let that go, attending events like the Chelsea Flower Show in a luxury buggy.
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Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Louis of Cambridge, Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge and Princess Charlotte of Cambridge on the balcony of Buckingham Palace during Trooping The Colour.
Chris J. Ratcliffe/Getty Images
Spectators watch the RAF fly over The Mall after the Trooping the Color parade.
Britain is marking the monarch’s 70th year on the throne with four days of events, the center of which was supposed to be the National Service of Thanksgiving.
Earlier on Thursday, Queen Elizabeth ventured onto the balcony of Buckingham Palace to the cheers of thousands who turned out to celebrate the start of four days of celebrations for his 70 years on the throne.
Some camped out for hours hoping to catch a glimpse of the 96-year-old queen, whose appearances are becoming increasingly rare, and the chance to see the Trooping the Colour: a military parade that has marked the official birthday of every sovereign since 1760.
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