The Archbishop of Canterbury
has been forced to pull out of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee service
after testing positive for Covid-19 on Monday. The head of the Church of England
is resting at home and has canceled all his prior engagements for this week.
Justin Welby was due to preach
at the Service of Thanksgiving held at St Paul’s Cathedral on Friday. The
66-year-old has been battling pneumonia since Thursday and started to develop
Covid-like symptoms over the weekend.
Speaking of his illness,
Justin said: “I am deeply saddened to be missing the historic celebration of
Her Majesty the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
“However, I will be praying
for the Queen and giving thanks for her extraordinary 70 years of service to us
all.”
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The Archbishop of Canterbury has been forced to pull out of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee service
He added: “I will also be
praying for our nation at this time of celebration and thanksgiving. May the
Queen’s example bring us together in unity and care for one another.”
The Archbishop moreover prayed
for anyone currently ill with the virus. He said: “As we continue to live
with coronavirus, I pray too for all those who are still suffering and everyone
who continues to mourn loved ones they have lost during the pandemic. May you
each know the love and comfort of God.”
In his absence, the Archbishop
of York, the Most Revd Stephen Cottrell, will step in to preach the sermon.
Whilst the palace has not
confirmed if the Queen will attend the service, wider members of the royal
family are expected to be present including the likes of the Duke and Duchess
of Sussex.
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Justin Welby signed Harry and Meghan’s wedding certificate
The royal couple are flying
over from the US with their two children specifically for the Jubilee
celebrations. On 4 June, Lili – as she is known to close family members–
will mark her milestone birthday alongside her parents and older brother.
Lilibet’s birthday will be a
particularly momentous occasion seeing as this week will be her first time
meeting her great-grandmother and namesake the Queen.
