Queen pulls out of Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral 'with great reluctance'

The Queen will skip the Service of Thanksgiving to take place at St Paul's Cathedral on Friday, Buckingham Palace has announced.

Following "some discomfort" during Trooping the Colour on Thursday, the 96-year-old "with great reluctance" has decided not to attend the church service that forms part of the official Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

"The Queen greatly enjoyed today's Birthday Parade and Flypast but did experience some discomfort," a statement from the palace said.

READ MORE: All three Cambridge children delight royal fans at this year's Trooping the Colour

"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."

The Queen is still set to take part in the lighting of the jubilee beacon on Thursday night (about 6.30am on Friday AEST). She will light a beacon at Windsor Castle while Prince William lights the principal beacon outside Buckingham Palace.

READ MORE: Where Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were during Trooping the Colour

The monarch, who has been suffering "episodic mobility issues" in recent months, was seen walking out onto the Buckingham Palace balcony on Thursday assisted by a cane.

Emphasising Her Majesty's joy at the thousands that crammed in The Mall, the palace statement added: "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 monarch is not the only royal who has pulled out of the occasion.

Earlier Prince Andrew said he would no longer be able to attend after testing positive for COVID-19.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are set to make their first public appearance alongside members of the royal family since their departure for the US in 2020 at the church service.