Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Attend Service of Thanksgiving at St. Paul’s Cathedral for Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee

usmagazine.com:

A family affair. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made their first official appearance at Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee during a service of Thanksgiving at St.

Paul’s Cathedral.Us Weekly confirmed on Thursday, June 2, that the 96-year-old monarch, who is celebrating a historic 70 years on the throne, would skip the service after experiencing discomfort at Trooping the Colour.

Harry, 37, Meghan, 40, were photographed holding hands at the Friday, June 3, outing. The Bench author donned a white dress and matching hat while her husband opted for a traditional suit.The event was not open to the public and included Bible readings, anthems, prayers and congregational hymns to express thanks and mark the monarch’s 70 years of service to the people of the United Kingdom, the Realms and the Commonwealth.Other royal family members in attendance included Prince William, Duchess Kate, Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Alessandro Mapelli Mozzi.The Trooping the Colour, which takes place during the Horse Guards Parade, kicked off the week’s festivities a day prior, where the traditional march, gun salute and flyover occurred as the queen bore witness.

Over 1,500 beacons (or torches) were be lit across the U.K. in honor of the monarch that same day.Later this week, the Jubilee festivities will continue with events such as the Platinum Party — where Sir Elton John and Sir Rod Stewart are said to be attending — as well as the Epsom Downs Derby, and Big Jubilee Lunch before the Platinum Jubilee Pageant wraps up festivities on Sunday, June 5.Queen Elizabeth II is the first British ruler to ever celebrate a Platinum Jubilee and is already the country’s longest-serving monarch, surpassing her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria in 2015.La