Queen's jubilee thanksgiving service goes ahead despite monarch pulling out
Members of Britain's royal family arrived at St Paul's Cathedral in London for a jubilee thanksgiving
service on Friday in honor of Queen Elizabeth II's 70-year reign.
However, the 96-year-old monarch was forced to skip the occasion after experiencing
"some discomfort" Thursday while watching the celebrations kick off with the Trooping
the Colour parade. Prince Charles is representing the Queen at the thanksgiving service.
Buckingham Palace said in a statement on Thursday evening that the Queen had "greatly enjoyed"
the Platinum Jubilee's opening events and made the decision to miss Friday's service
"with great reluctance" after "taking into account the journey and activity required to participate."
The monarch will watch the thanksgiving service on television from Windsor Castle, a Buckingham Palace spokesperson.