Queen Elizabeth to miss Platinum Jubilee event due to ‘discomfort’

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Queen Elizabeth II will skip a thanksgiving service planned as part of celebrations of her 70-year reign as monarch after experiencing unspecified discomfort Thursday, according to Buckingham Palace.

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In a statement obtained by ITV News, palace officials said the decision to miss the service on Friday was made “with great reluctance” after “taking into account the journey and activity required to participate.”

“The queen is looking forward to participating in tonight’s beacon lighting event at Windsor Castle and would like to thank all those who made today such a memorable occasion,” the statement read.

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The 96-year-old queen became the first British monarch to celebrate 70 years on the throne in February. She became queen on Feb. 6, 1952, following the death of her father.

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Four days of celebrations have been planned to commemorate her Platinum Jubilee. They began Thursday with the queen’s birthday parade and the Trooping the Colour ceremony. On Friday, a Service of Thanksgiving for the queen’s reign will be held at St. Paul’s Cathedral.