On the second day of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee festivities, guests have began to arrive at St Paul’s Cathedral for this morning’s thanksgiving ceremony.
The roads surrounding the site were transformed into a sea of red, white, and blue as royal super fans greeted guests arriving at the chapel, many of whom camped out overnight to grab the finest seats.
Hundreds of people have gathered, some wearing Union Jack caps and others draping flags and bunting over the railings on the way to the cathedral, despite the crowds appearing to be lower than those seen during the Trooping the Colour festivities yesterday.
Many people had their photos taken outside the Great West Door, which will also be used by members of the Royal family to enter the cathedral for the celebration.
After experiencing ‘discomfort’ at yesterday’s Trooping the Colour, the Queen has’reluctantly’ had to withdraw from the festivities, while her disgraced son, the Duke of York, will also be absent after ‘testing positive for Covid.’
The Archbishop of Canterbury has also tested positive for Covid-19 and will be unable to attend the event; instead, the Most Revd Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York, will deliver the sermon.
After a busy start to the Jubilee festivities on Thursday, the Queen will be resting at her Berkshire estate and watching the ceremony at St Paul’s on television from Windsor Castle.
Members of the royal family, including Harry and Meghan, are anticipated to attend the 11 a.m. service, which will be followed by a Guildhall reception for the royals.
Thousands of well-wishers flocked to St Paul’s Cathedral to express their gratitude to The Queen, resolute not to let Her Majesty’s absence from the thanksgiving ceremony ruin the occasion.