The symbolism of a great state service of thanksgiving for an absent Queen was not lost beneath the imposing dome of St Paul’s Cathedral. All the more so as the country was paying tribute to her seven decades of public service as Britain’s now longest-reigning monarch.
The Prince of Wales was in her stead for the formal procession through a 2,000-strong congregation of prime ministers past and present, parliamentarians, diplomats, a full squad of other royals and 400 members of the public honoured for their community work.
As the archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, said in his hastily rewritten sermon, the horse-loving Queen, 96, is “still in the saddle”. But it seemed a moment to recognise that her presence, taken for granted at such grand public events, is no longer guaranteed due to the mobility problems that have plagued her platinum jubilee year.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who had flown in at the Queen’s invitation, made their first public appearance with other members of the royal family since their exit from royal duties and relocation to California two years ago. » | Caroline Davies | Friday, June 3, 2022
