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

The queen is the first British monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee.

Last Updated: June 5, 2022, 2:13 PM EDT

The U.K. threw a once-in-a-generation celebration for Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee.

The 96-year-old queen is the first British monarch in history to reach a Platinum Jubilee, which marks 70 years on the throne.

Elizabeth ascended to the throne on Feb. 6, 1952, following the death of her father, King George VI.

The queen's Platinum Jubilee celebration included everything from Trooping the Color to a National Service of Thanksgiving, a star-studded concert led by Diana Ross, thousands of lunches and street parties across the country and a final appearance by the queen herself.

Latest updates:

Here is how the news developed. All times Eastern.
Jun 01, 2022, 7:31 PM EDT

Prince Harry, Meghan to watch Trooping the Color with royal family

Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, will join royal family members to watch Trooping the Color from a Buckingham Palace office that overlooks the parade ground, a spokesperson for the duke and duchess told ABC News.

The Sussexes look forward to watching from the Major General’s Office, the spokesperson said.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan visit One World Observatory on 102nd floor of One World Trade Center in New York, Sept. 23, 2021.
Lev Radin/Pacific Press via ZUMA Wire, FILE

Senior working members of the royal family, including Harry’s brother, Prince William, and his wife Kate, along with their three children, will watch Trooping the Color, also called the Queen’s Birthday Parade, from the balcony of Buckingham Palace, alongside Queen Elizabeth II herself.

Because they are no longer senior working royals, Harry and Meghan are not part of the traditional balcony appearance, a decision made earlier this year by the queen, according to Buckingham Palace.

Jun 01, 2022, 7:14 PM EDT

Queen Elizabeth II to miss royal salute at Trooping the Color

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.

Jun 01, 2022, 5:22 PM EDT

Queen Elizabeth II shares message for Platinum Jubilee

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.

In this photo provided by Buckingham Palace on Wednesday, June 1, 2022, the official Platinum Jubilee portrait of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, photographed at Windsor Castle recently.
Royal Household/Ranald Mackechnie via AP

“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.

Jun 01, 2022, 5:04 PM EDT

See the Platinum Jubilee portrait of Queen Elizabeth II

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.

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