United Kingdom: the Jubilee mass marked by the absence of Elizabeth II

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, in front of the royal family and many personalities, in several of his predecessors, during mass in Saint Paul's Cathedral, for the platinum jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, this Friday, June 3, 2022. AP - Aaron Chown

Text by: RFI Follow

3 mins

Platinum Jubilee, day 2. This Friday, June 3 is marked by a mass of thanksgiving in Saint Paul's Cathedral, to thank the Queen for her 70 years of service.

Elizabeth was absent;

she is resting after the ceremonies of the previous day.

Buckingham Palace had warned several months ago that the monarch would not attend all the festivities.

Because the health of the queen is declining.

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With our correspondent in London,

The "jubilants" are not worried.

This is not the first event that Elizabeth II, 96, has missed for health reasons.

The queen had a big day Thursday, June 2.

Shrena, who had come with her son and a whole bunch of flags, really hoped to see him at the cathedral.

My son was sad, and me too, not to see her.

But she must rest, naturally, and preserve her energy.

We were disappointed, but we got to see the other members of the royal family, it was great.

🇬🇧 Platinum Jubilee: After launching the festivities on Thursday, Queen #ElizabethII, who felt "some discomfort" during the 1st day of the celebrations, will not attend the mass celebrating the 70th anniversary of her reign this Friday# PlatinumJubilee #Jubilee pic.twitter.com/QUiNOGEkLn

— FRANCE 24 French (@France24_fr) June 3, 2022

Resting after a particularly busy day, Bev understands, of course.

But the young woman is convinced that the appearance on the balcony on Thursday was not the last of the queen.

It would be awful!

We know she will never, ever give up.

She promised it.

I think she's going to slow down, but she's going to choose what she really wants to do.

T-shirt and earrings in the colors of the flag, Sylvia is not ready to say goodbye to her monarch either.

I have a feeling she will live to be a hundred years old, or even longer, like her mother.

It still has several years ahead of it, I think.

Anyway, I hope she lives longer.

Members of The Royal Family gathered today at @StPaulsLondon for a Service of Thanksgiving to celebrate The Queen's #PlatinumJubilee.

With a theme of public service, over 400 people from across the UK were invited in recognition of their contribution to public life.

pic.twitter.com/UKdwrp6qms

— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) June 3, 2022

Spectators expect the Queen to miss Epsom horse racing on Saturday.

On the other hand, they hope for a last appearance during the big parade on Sunday afternoon.

Several of them underline at the microphone of RFI that Elizabeth II retains all of her head and her humor, even if the body no longer always follows the rhythm.

►Read again: In the United Kingdom, the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebration is in full swing

On the side of those present, in St. Paul's Cathedral, we heard "bravos" on the arrival of Prince Charles, heir to the throne, his eldest son William, and his wife, Kate.

The public, which still flies so many flags in all their forms, reacted in a slightly more measured way to the appearance of Harry and Meghan.

There might even have been a few boos, drowned out by the cathedral bells.

Meghan and Harry arrived at St. Paul's Cathedral #PlatinumJubilee pic.twitter.com/BO3cLETIoc

— Thomas Pernette (@ThomasPernette) June 3, 2022

The Sussexes, who renounced their royal duties, had not been able to attend "officially" the ceremonies on Thursday.

The couple did not seem to be turned on: big smile for Meghan, relaxed look for Harry.

Nothing to do, anyway, with the reception reserved for Carrie and Boris Johnson on their own climb up the stairs.

The bells didn't ring loud enough to drown out the boos, though they received cheers as well.

►Listen also: Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II, the city of Windsor at the time of the festivities

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