Beaming Queen lights Platinum Jubilee beacon setting off 3,300 flames across Britain in majestic ceremony

THE Queen has lit the Platinum Jubilee beacon to mark 70 years of her reign as a day of pageantry and celebration draws to a close.

Her Majesty bravely smiled for Brits tonight - hours after deciding she won't be able to attend tomorrow's service of thanksgiving at St Paul's.

It comes after she experienced "discomfort" during today's festivities.

The monarch, who appeared on the balcony at Buckingham Palace with a walking stick in her hand today, had vowed to light the beacon.

She had looked relaxed and happy as she was flanked by her family this afternoon, and was seen smiling at younger royals Prince George, seven, Princess Charlotte, six, and four-year-old Louis.

But this evening, Her Majesty - again seen using a cane - walked with great care as she stepped out at Windsor.

She will be represented at St Paul's tomorrow by Prince Charles.

Prince Andrew will also not attend after testing positive for Covid.

Despite Her Majesty's pain today, she vowed to continue on with the beacon lighting - an important tradition for special royal occasions, including jubilees, weddings and coronations.

She has had them for her Silver, Gold and Diamond Jubilees in 1977, 2002 and 2012, as well as her 90th birthday in 2016.

Around 3,300 were lit in the UK and Commonwealth countries today as the first day of the celebrations ends.

Grammy-winner Gregory Porter led a choir singing Song for the Commonwealth as the ceremony took place, while Buckingham Palace lit up with stunning photos of the head of state.

The Queen and Prince William both illuminated their beacons 25 miles apart. The monarch remained at Windsor, while her grandson watched on at the Palace.

As Her Majesty began the chain by laying her hand on a specially-created Commonwealth of Nations globe to illuminate the tribute, hundreds of fireworks were set off on the Long Walk.

And the event's organiser Bruno Peek revealed she cracked a joke after the ceremony.

"She loved the number of beacons, as we have more 3,300 across the UK and Commonwealth this year, which is a record," he said.

"She said, ‘More beacons! Every time you do it you have more beacons!’ Which was great, really funny.

"‘It was so nice to be with her again. To be able to stand next to your monarch commemorating a unique anniversary and moment in her life is such a privilege.

"It was the end of a very long day for her but she looked like she didn't want to leave."

Officials said earlier this evening: "The Queen greatly enjoyed today’s Birthday Parade and flypast but did experience some discomfort.

The celebrations come as...

• Prince George was joined by his adorable brother and sister for the parade
• Arrests were made after idiot protesters stormed the Mall
• The Queen called on the nation to create 'happy memories'
• Meghan Markle reunited with the royals as she appeared on the balcony on Horse Guards Parade
• Prince Louis stole the show as he jumped up and down with joy at the Red Arrows
• Prince Andrew was missing from the event as he has tested positive for Covid
• London fills with well-wishers and tens of thousands throng The Mall
• Brits around the country celebrate with street parties in 22C sunshine

"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 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."

It was reported that, despite the monarch's intermittent mobility issues, she was hoping to "muster all her strength" to attend the service with her family.

She has been using a stag horn mobility aid in recent weeks, and is often spotted with her late husband's walking stick.

Today, she used a brand new cane, which appeared to have a marble handle and wooden body. General Sir Mark Carleton-Smith, chief of the general staff, had presented her with the gift as a symbol of the British Army's support. 

Tomorrow's service will be the biggest royal outing of the Jubilee. All other senior royals will attend.

Meghan, Harry and the couple's two children Archie, three, and Lilibet, who turns one on Saturday, will be among those to join the thanksgiving.

Her Majesty is also not expected to attend Saturday's Derby, one of her favourite events of the year. She will watch the races on television instead, it's believed.

However, it's understood she may also have cleared space in her diary to celebrate Lilibet's birthday during the day.

But aides are now unable to confirm whether the public will see the Queen again during the bank holiday after this evening.

She appeared to be in high spirits as she was joined by senior royals, including Prince Charles, Prince William and Kate Middleton, for the spectacular RAF flypast.

Prince Andrew, Prince Harry and Meghan were noticeably absent after Her Majesty's limited the line-up to working royals only.

The sunny sky turned red, white and blue following an impressive display from the Red Arrows as 71 aircraft took flight over London.

It proved a bit too much for Prince Louis, who was seen covering his ears to block out the sound.

But the youngster soon recovered and was pictured chatting animatedly to the Queen as he stood proudly next to her.

Prince George was also a fan, saying: "Woah, it’s the Red Arrows, I see them!"

Hundreds of thousands of royal fans have swamped the Union Jack-lined Mall in honour of the Queen's incredible service.

A whopping 1,200 officers and soldiers from the Household Division took part in the Birthday Parade this morning.

Meghan was seen at Horse Guards Parade as she watched the festivities with Zara Tindall's two daughters.

She appeared playful as she doted on Savannah and Mia while taking a backseat in the celebrations. The duchess was joined at the Major General's Office by Prince Harry, Beatrice and Eugenie and Zara.

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However, in spite of the joy at today's celebrations, Her Majesty's withdrawal from tomorrow's event will inevitably raise concerns for her health.

The monarch first pulled out of a two-day tour of Northern Ireland last October.

She spent a night in King Edward VII hospital for "preliminary investigations".

In the past seven months she has been forced to back out of a string of major events, including Remembrance Sunday in November and the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey in March.

And in late March, middle son Andrew walked her to her seat at Westminster Abbey for a memorial service for Prince Philip.

Last month, the monarch missed her first State Opening of Parliament in 59 years - although laughed cheekily when Omid Djalili cracked a joke about her absence as she attended an event days later.

The Queen has recently taken delivery of a £62,000 golf buggy to walk her dogs at Windsor Castle.

The electric cart ferried her around the Chelsea Flower Show last month.