Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee 2022: Queen says she is 'deeply touched' by jubilee celebration

Queen Elizabeth II will miss part of Thursday's Trooping the Color, the kick-off to her Platinum Jubilee celebration, Buckingham Palace has announced.

The queen will not join other royal family members in the traditional carriage rides to the Horse Guards and will instead appear on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, the palace confirmed Wednesday.

Prince Charles, the heir to the throne, will take the royal salute on the parade ground and inspect the troops on the queen's behalf, joined by his son, Prince William, and his sister, Princess Anne.

The queen will take a salute from the cavalry as they go past Buckingham Palace on their return from the parade.

This is the first time in Elizabeth's 70-year reign that she will take a salute from the balcony at Buckingham Palace, and the first time Prince Charles will stand in for her on the parade ground.

Buckingham Palace has shared a message from Queen Elizabeth II to mark the start of celebrations for her Platinum Jubilee, which marks 70 years on the throne.

“Thank you to everyone who has been involved in convening communities, families, neighbours and friends to mark my Platinum Jubilee, in the United Kingdom and across the Commonwealth,” the queen said in the message, also shared in the official Platinum Jubilee program. “I know that many happy memories will be created at these festive occasions.”

“I continue to be inspired by the goodwill shown to me, and hope that the coming days will provide an opportunity to reflect on all that has been achieved during the last seventy years, as we look to the future with confidence and enthusiasm,” she said.

The queen signed her message with her first name, Elizabeth, followed by the letter R, which stands for Regina, the Latin word for queen.

A specially commissioned portrait of Queen Elizabeth II was released Wednesday in the kick-off to her Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

The portrait was taken in the Victoria Vestibule at Windsor Castle on May 25, according to Buckingham Palace.

In the background of the portrait, by Ranald Mackechnie, viewers can see Windsor Castle’s Round Tower, and a statue of King Charles II, according to the palace.

A festive spirit is in the air in the U.K. as it prepares to celebrate its monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, with a once-in-a-lifetime event.

In London, six portraits of the queen are being projected onto the iconic Marble Arch, a 19th century ceremonial gate originally designed as the state entrance for Buckingham Palace, which now resides at the nearby Hyde Park.

Another landmark, Stonehenge, in Wiltshire, England, is also displaying portraits of the queen, one from each decade of her reign.

Collector’s items are also popular for this historic celebration, from souvenir mugs and medals to stamps, handkerchiefs, socks and even a limited-edition Barbie doll.

The Royal Mint has also released a special coin collection to mark the queen’s 70th anniversary.