SOURCE: BBC NEWS
The Queen was praised for “staying the course” as royals joined dignitaries at a thanksgiving service for the Platinum Jubilee at St Paul’s Cathedral.
Referring to her love of horse racing, Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell said she is “still in the saddle”, even though she was not able to attend.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex joined for their first royal event together since leaving the UK two years ago.
Meanwhile, the Queen, 96, watched the service from Windsor Castle.
Her decision to miss the service came after she experienced “discomfort” during Thursday’s events.
It was later announced she would not attend the Epsom Derby on Saturday – and would instead watch the event on television.
Prince Andrew was forced to withdraw from attending the thanksgiving service after a positive Covid test.
As Prince Harry and Meghan arrived in St Paul’s Churchyard, they received a huge cheer from the crowd, after keeping a low profile on Thursday.
NHS workers, honours recipients, public servants and charity representatives were among those at the service – part of four days of events marking the Queen’s unprecedented 70-year reign.
Notable guests included Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who arrived to boos and cheers, and his wife, Carrie.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, and former prime ministers John Major, Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Theresa May were there. The leaders of the UK’s devolved administrations were also in attendance.
Mr Johnson gave a reading from St Paul’s Epistle to the Philippians in the New Testament, beginning: “Rejoice in the Lord always”.
The sermon was given by the Archbishop of York after Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, tested positive for coronavirus last week.
