The Prince of Wales will lead the Royal Family at Friday’s Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral following the announcement from Buckingham Palace that The Queen will miss the service.
Now, new details are being released about what to expect at Friday’s service, with the focus on “bible readings, prayers and congregational hymns, to recognise and give thanks for The Queen’s reign, faith and lifetime of service,” according to Buckingham Palace.
Other members of the Royal Family will join the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, though a complete list of attendees has not been announced. This has been expected to be one of the events that working and non-working royals alike attend.
The Palace further announced that public service would be at the heart of the service, and as such, 400 people who have contributed to public life at home and on a national level have been invited to attend as well. The Palace notes that this will include NHS and other key workers, teachers, government and military representatives, voluntary group officials, among other sectors, and all have been recognised in The Queen’s New Year or Birthday Honours lists.
Government representatives from across the UK, the Commonwealth and overseas realms and territories and ambassadors have also been invited.
The Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Portsmouth (Royal Band) will provide musical accompaniment as the guests arrive, and the Very Reverend David Ison, Dean of St Paul’s, will conduct the service. Further musical elements will touch upon the Platinum Jubilee and coronations, and other royal events throughout British history.
Special floral displays with red, white and blue blooms have been commissioned, including freesias, gerbera, lisianthus, snapdragons, carnations and sea holly.
After the Service of Thanksgiving, the Lord Mayor of London and City of London Corporation will host a reception for members of the Royal Family at Guildhall.
In a brief statement on Thursday, Buckingham Palace announced: “The Queen greatly enjoyed today’s Birthday Parade and Flypast but did experience some discomfort. 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 Palace had warned weeks ahead of time that The Queen’s attendance at Platinum Jubilee events would be decided as close to the day of as possible due to ongoing mobility issues.
Prince Charles has stepped in on behalf of his mother several times this year, at the Commonwealth Day Service, at the State Opening of Parliament, and most recently on Thursday when he received the salute at Horse Guards for Trooping the Colour.
