Britain celebrates the second day of Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee on Friday, with the highlight a service of thanksgiving attended by senior royals and politicians that the 96-year-old monarch herself missed due to ongoing mobility issues.
The celebrations continue with a National Service of Thanksgiving at London’s St Paul’s Cathedral to pay tribute to the sovereign’s 70 years on the throne.
But the queen, who has been forced to cancel a series of engagements recently because of “episodic mobility problems”, will be absent, reluctantly pulling out late on Thursday and slightly taking the sheen off the day’s party atmosphere.
“The queen greatly enjoyed today’s Birthday Parade and Flypast but did experience some discomfort,” Buckingham Palace said in a statement.
Prince Harry and Meghan did attend and were met mainly with cheers, but some boos.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have made almost no public appearances in Britain since stepping down from royal duties two years ago.
The couple moved to the United States to lead a more independent life, and have since delivered some stinging attacks on Buckingham Palace and the royal family.
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge attended the National Service of Thanksgiving with husband, Prince William leaving George, Louis and Charlotte at home.
The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall were the last royals to arrive, stopping to speak with members of the clergy before making their way inside to their seats.