The official Platinum Jubilee celebrations to commemorate the world’s longest-serving monarch are fast approaching.
The celebrations to mark the momentous occasion are scheduled to kick off from Thursday 2nd June, and we’re being treated to not one but two bank holidays.
Buckingham Palace has planned an exciting programme of events, including the National Lottery’s Jubilee Street Party and the Platinum Jubilee Pageant, which is set to take over the capital at the end of the weekend.
On Friday 3rd June, royal family members will gather at St Paul’s Cathedral for a special Service of Thanksgiving to mark the Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty The Queen.
On Monday (30th May 2022), it was announced that the Archbishop of Canterbury had been forced to pull out of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee service after testing positive for COVID-19.
Speaking of the development, Justin Welby said: “I am deeply saddened to be missing the historic celebration of Her Majesty the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
“However, I will be praying for the Queen and giving thanks for her extraordinary 70 years of service to us all.”
He added: “I will also be praying for our nation at this time of celebration and thanksgiving. May the Queen’s example bring us together in unity and care for one another.”
The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, will stand in to preach the sermon in his place.
While the palace has not confirmed if the Queen will attend the service, wider members of the royal family are expected to be present including the likes of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
The service will be broadcast live from St Paul’s Cathedral in London, but when exactly is it and how can you watch the celebrations from home?
When is the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Service of Thanksgiving?
The historical Service of Thanksgiving for the Queen’s reign will take place on Friday 3rd June, as part of the four-day UK bank holiday weekend from Thursday to Sunday.
The service will kick off at 9:15am.
How to watch the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Service of Thanksgiving
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You can watch A Service of Thanksgiving on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Friday 3rd June from 9:15am.
David Dimbleby, Kirsty Young and Sophie Raworth will broadcast the Service of Thanksgiving live from St Paul’s Cathedral.
What is the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Service of Thanksgiving?
The celebratory service will mark the Queen’s 70-year reign and include anthems, Bible readings, hymns and prayers to express gratitude for the monarch’s service, as well as a new anthem written by composer Judith Weir.
Great Paul, the largest church bell in the country, will also be rung during the event.
- To celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, Radio Times is releasing a 116-page commemorative edition, featuring covers, articles and illustrations from our archive – buy Radio Times: Her Majesty The Queen for £9.99 at Radio Times Shop.
The latest issue of Radio Times magazine is on sale now – subscribe now and get the next 12 issues for only £1. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to the Radio Times podcast with Jane Garvey.