Platinum Jubilee: New portrait of the Queen unveiled as she says she is 'inspired by the goodwill shown to me'
On the eve of four days of celebrations for the Platinum Jubilee, the Queen thanked the nation for "the goodwill shown to me" and said she was looking to the future with "confidence and enthusiasm." She said "many happy memories" will be made on this historic occasion.
Thursday 2 June 2022 07:45, UK
颅颅颅The Queen has said she is "inspired by the goodwill shown to me" and thanked the nation as a new portrait of her was unveiled to mark her Platinum Jubilee.
In a special message to the country, Her Majesty said that "many happy memories will be created" over the next four days.
The Queen, 96, who is celebrating 70 years of her reign, said she hopes the festivities will give people an opportunity to reflect on the country's achievements since 1952.
She said she was looking to the future with "confidence and enthusiasm".
Harry and Meghan to attend Trooping the Colour - Jubilee latest
"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," she said.
"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."
What to expect today
- 10am: Trooping the Colour will kick off the festivities, with the Prince of Wales standing in for the Queen
- Harry and Meghan will join the Duchess of Cambridge and other royals to watch the spectacle
- Afterwards the Queen will acknowledge the salute of the returning Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment from Buckingham Palace's balcony
- 1pm: The Queen will join working royals on the balcony to watch the traditional RAF fly-past
- 9.45pm: In the evening more than 3,000 beacons will be set ablaze across the UK and the Commonwealth
Along with her remarks, a Platinum Jubilee portrait was unveiled, showing the Queen in Windsor Castle wearing a dusk dove blue Angela Kelly coat.
The image was taken by photographer Ranald Mackechnie in the Victoria Vestibule in the Queen's private apartments at Windsor.
The Queen, who has been having mobility problems in recent months and had to cancel engagements as a result, has been pacing herself ahead of the commemorations.
Read more:
Full coverage of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee
Seven decades of balcony moments celebrating the Queen's reign
Why are beacons being lit for the Queen's Jubilee?
The day I met the Queen: Four people share their stories
Trooping the Colour amended
The Queen will appear on the balcony at Buckingham Palace twice on the first day of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations on Thursday.
The extended weekend begins with Trooping the Colour on Thursday, involving more than 1,500 officers and soldiers and 350 horses from the Household Division.
The Queen will not attend the event, but Prince Charles will be there in her place, joined by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
Her Majesty will take a salute when the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment and the Guard return to the palace, alongside her cousin the Duke of Kent, Colonel of the Scots Guards.
She will be joined by other working members of the Royal Family on the balcony to watch a fly-past of aircraft by the Royal Air Force.
On Horse Guards Parade, the Prince of Wales will take the salute and inspect the troops of the Household Division on Her Majesty's behalf, joined by the Duke of Cambridge and the Princess Royal.
It will be the first time the Queen has not carried out the duty during her reign.
Harry and Meghan to attend
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will have a prime vantage point with members of the monarchy from the Duke of Wellington's former office.
They will overlook Horse Guards Parade, where Charles will inspect the guardsmen and officers and take their salute.
Follow the Daily podcast on
Prince Andrew is not expected to join the royals.
The Sussexes' attendance is also anticipated at a service of thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral on Friday.
Crowds who have been camping overnight on the Mall will see the Duchess of Cornwall, Duchess of Cambridge, Earl and Countess of Wessex and their children and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester travel to Horse Guards Parade by carriage, before they watch the parade.