Queen Elizabeth has thanked Britain on the eve of her historic platinum anniversary celebrations and says she is still inspired by the goodwill shown her.
In a special message released as millions across the country prepare to hold tributes and street parties in her honor for four days, the Queen said “many happy memories” would be formed during the festivities.
The country’s longest-reigning monarch, 96, said he hoped the anniversary weekend would provide an opportunity to reflect on the achievements of the past 70 years.
And she spoke of the future with “confidence and enthusiasm”.
The news comes at the start of the extended holiday weekend, as millions across the UK and Commonwealth come together to celebrate Elizabeth II and her 70th anniversary.
Her cheery words come as the country, and the world struggles to recover from the impact of the devastating coronavirus pandemic.
“Thank you to everyone who has been involved in rallying communities, families, neighbors, and friends to celebrate my platinum anniversary across the UK and the Commonwealth,” she said.
“I know many happy memories will be created on these festive occasions.
“I continue to be inspired by the goodwill that has been shown to me, and I hope that the coming days will provide an opportunity to reflect on all that has been achieved over the past seventy years as we look to the future with confidence and enthusiasm.”
It was signed by Elizabeth R.
The Queen’s official Platinum Jubilee portrait was unveiled along with her message, showing the monarch, looking contented and happy, photographed at her home in Windsor Castle.
She is depicted sitting on a plush chair by the window, with the historic residence’s famous Round Tower visible in the distance.
With her hands on her lap and her hair curled in the familiar style, the Queen is dressed in a dark blue Angela Kelly coat.
The shiny pearl and scalloped diamond beads embroidered around the collar and front were a nod to her historic platinum anniversary.
The photographer Ranald Mackechnie took the photo in the Victoria Vestibule in the Queen’s private apartments in Windsor.
The queen, who has difficulty walking at 96, walks back and forth for the commemorations.
The extended weekend kicks off Thursday with the traditional military spectacle Trooping the Colour, involving more than 1,500 officers, soldiers, and 350 horses from the Household Division.
Over 3,000 beacons will be set on fire in the UK and Commonwealth in the evening.
There will be no ceremonial journey to the thanksgiving service at St Paul’s Cathedral for the Queen on Friday, and the monarch, if present, will use another entrance instead of climbing the steep steps.
And the Queen’s planned visit to Epsom for the Derby on Saturday has been canceled, with members of the Royal Family attending on her behalf.
Saturday is also the first birthday of the daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Lilibet.
In the evening, the BBC’s Party at the Palace – on three stages in front of Buckingham Palace – will entertain a live audience of 22,000 and a television audience of millions.
The lineup includes Diana Ross, Queen + Adam Lambert, Alicia Keys, Nile Rodgers, Andrea Bocelli, Duran Duran, Bond composer Hans Zimmer, Ella Eyre, Craig David, Mabel, Elbow, and George Ezra.
Charles and William prepare to pay public tribute to the Queen during the concert, which will be televised from Windsor.
Millions of people will gather on Sunday for patriotic street parties, picnics, and barbecues, with over 85,000 large anniversary lunches being held across the UK.
The finale is the Jubilee Pageant through the streets of London, with a cast of 6,000 performers and nearly 200 celebrities participating in the carnival parade.
It is hoped that the monarch will make his last appearance on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to close out the weekend with Ed Sheeran singing the national anthem with a choir made up of Britain’s “national treasures”.