Crowds descend on St Paul’s for Platinum Jubilee thanksgiving service

Excited crowds gathered at St Paul’s cathedral during the Service of Thanksgiving today, as Jubilee excitement continues.

While the Queen did not attend this morning’s ceremony, attendees caught a glimpse of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

The cathedral’s service included Bible readings, prayers and hymns ‘to recognise and give thanks for The Queen’s reign, faith and lifetime of service’.’

Crowds built steadily over the morning as royal superfans claimed their spots around the entrance of St Paul’s. Some even argued over the best spaces.

Joseph Afrane, 58, from South West London, said he woke up at 3am in anticipation for the event.

He arrived at St Paul’s at 5am and found a position opposite the steps to the cathedral.

‘I’m a big royal fan,’ he told Metro.co.uk.

‘Her Majesty has done so much for Britain, the Commonwealth and the world. She’s been in the throne 70 years and has been working non stop.

‘I wanted to support her and show my solidarity.’

Joseph said he was ‘disappointed’ but ‘understood’ the Queen’s reasons for not attending today.

‘I will celebrate the entire weekend anyway,’ he added.

For some lucky royalists, a special invite to the ceremony had come their way.

Reverend Jon, who was awarded an MBE for his work with vulnerable adults during the pandemic, and his wife Sarah were among those invited from Leeds.

He said: ‘We were hoping the Queen would be here but we understand of course.
We have big respect for the Queen.

‘Obviously we know we were part of the Empire but I think we need to recognise the wrongs and still celebrate the good parts.’

Travelling down from Aberdeenshire for today’s ceremony was Heather and Covie Morrison. 

The pair hail from a village called Strachan in the Royal Deeside, near the Queen’s Scottish home at Balmoral. Heather got a royal invite after she received an MBE on June 1.

‘It’s been an amazing, a wonderful experience already,’ she said.

‘We’ve been so excited to get down. It is disappointing the Queen won’t be here, but we do understand why.’

Covie was wearing the Morrison tartan while Heather donned a Flower of Scotland tartan jacket and skirt. 

Professor Chris Imafidon was asked to join the Royal Family at St Paul’s for his charity work helping disadvantaged children with their education.

He was ‘very disappointed’ he did not get to see the Queen but spoke at length about his admiration for Her Majesty who ‘is always consistent about what she believes in’.

The appearance of Harry and Meghanled to ripples of excitement across the crowds.

It marked the first time the couple has appeared alongside the Royal Family for the first time in two years.

Gail Wilson Downey and Sarah Wilson were invited to the service as part of Northern Ireland Civil Service.

They said all the royals ‘looked happy to be together’ during the service, despite any expected tensions over the family reunion.

Mum and daughter Lisa and Jess came from Kettering to take part in the Jubilee celebrations.

Lisa said: ‘We love Meghan and Harry and we want them to come back.
We don’t know why people don’t like them – they’re the next generation.’

She added: ‘We love the Royal Family because it’s our heritage and I hope it continues.

‘The Queen isn’t going to be around much longer and I just hope people still come out in droves today.’

Among the excited attendees were Julie, Alyson and Anne from Cardiff.

The trio arrived in London yesterday and went ‘straight to their hotel room, threw their bags down and headed straight out’ to try and see the Trooping of the Colour.’

They have been planning this trip for more than a month and got a seamstress to make special dresses for them – combining the Welsh flag with the Union Jack – for the Sky Tower concert tomorrow.

Julie broke her right leg but she ‘didn’t let that stop her’ and stayed up with her daughter until midnight to decorate her crutches in the Union Jack colours.

The mum teared up as she spoke about her love for the Queen because she ‘unites the country and dedicates such service’.

The women said: ‘We’re so disappointed the Queen isn’t here but it looks like she had a great day yesterday and she certainly deserves the rest.’

The group went on to stress they were fans of the whole Royal Family and every member in it.

‘There are members who have their flaws but every family has that,’ Anne said.

Despite being completely decked out in Union Jack colours already, the women stopped to buy extra flags while chatting to Metro.co.uk.

Desmond Baker, from Newtonabbey in Northern Ireland, was emotional ahead of the service. 

He was in London 10 years ago to celebrate the Queen’s time on the throne with his partner Richard Weir.

Richard died two-and-a-half years ago, but Desmond says ‘a part of him’ will watch on with him today.

He said: ‘We had such a great time together, and even though I’m here alone today I’m still excited. 

‘I have the highest regard for Her Royal Highness and for the entire Royal Family. 

‘The Queen has achieved something extraordinary, the atmosphere today is amazing.’

Mark and his partner came for the weekend from Warwickshire. 

He added: ‘The last Royal event I went to was Princess Diana’s funeral. But I’ve come to the Jubilee because it’s just such a moment. 

‘I think the Queen has just provided such a stability for the country that other nations don’t have.’

While Her Majesty won’t be at today’s event, she still intends to light a beacon at Windsor Castle tonight, as fires are lit across the country in her honour.

‘The Queen greatly enjoyed today’s Birthday Parade and Flypast but did experience some discomfort,’ the palace said yesterday.

‘Taking into account the journey and activity required to participate in tomorrow’s National Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral, Her Majesty with great reluctance has concluded that she will not attend.’

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