Boris Johnson is set to praise the Queen’s ‘tireless service’ and ‘historic reign’ in public statement to mark her Platinum Jubilee on Sunday

• Queen Elizabeth II is set to mark 70 years since her accession to the throne
• She will mark the milestone in private at Sandringham where her father King George VI died on February 6 1952
• Boris Johnson will praise Her Majesty’s ‘tireless service’ with a public statement
• A period of celebrations for the Platinum Jubilee include a pop concert at Buckingham Palace and four-day bank holiday weekend

The Prime Minister will praise the Queen’s ‘tireless service’ and ‘historic reign’ as the monarch’s Platinum Jubilee is celebrated across the country this weekend. 

Elizabeth II will on Sunday mark 70 years since she came to the throne at Sandringham, where on February 6 1952, the ailing King George VI – who had lung cancer – died in the early hours.

Following the poignant day, which the Queen is expected to mark privately, a series of celebrations to honour the monarch’s reign are set to take place throughout the year.

Boris Johnson will be among the first to salute the 95-year-old by issuing a public statement to mark the monarch’s 70-year milestone.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson will praise the Queen’s ‘tireless service’ and ‘historic reign’ as the monarch’s Platinum Jubilee is celebrated across the country this weekend

 Boris Johnson will be among the first to salute the 95-year-old by issuing a public statement to mark the monarch’s 70-year milestone

A Number 10 source said: ‘You can expect the Prime Minister to praise Her Majesty’s tireless service and historic reign to mark the occasion.’

Earlier this week, Mr Johnson told MPs: ‘While it is a moment for national celebration it will be a day of mixed emotions for Her Majesty as the day also marks 70 years since the death of her beloved father, George VI.

‘I know that the whole House will want to join me in thanking Her Majesty for her tireless service.

‘We look forward to celebrating her historic reign with a series of national events in June.’

The Queen has seen 14 prime ministers come and go from her first, Second World War leader Sir Winston Churchill, to incumbent Mr Johnson. 

Elizabeth II will on Sunday mark 70 years since she came to the throne at Sandringham, where on February 6 1952, the ailing King George VI – who had lung cancer – died in the early hours. Pictured: Elizabeth with her father, George VI,  at Sandringham in 1943

Spanning a period from post-war Britain when rationing was still in place, to a world of virtual currencies, driverless cars and pandemics, the Queen’s period as head of state is forever entwined with the country’s history. 

National celebrations are set to held on a special four-day bank holiday weekend in June, with festivities including a pop concert at the Palace, a service of thanksgiving and a pageant on The Mall.

However, there have also been calls to make the extra public holiday permanent, as a ‘Thank Holiday’ in recognition of the Queen’s extraordinary 70 years of service. 

It is understood the Prime Minister and his wife Carrie are ‘highly supportive of the idea’, which would require a change in the law.

Elsewhere, baking royalty Dame Mary Berry is set to judge a Platinum Pudding competition to find a ‘classic’ dessert that fits the Queen’s reign. Entries closed yesterday, with the first judging round starting on Monday.

The Queen, 95, appeared in high spirits as she was driven in her Land Rover in Sandringham ahead of the 70th anniversary of her father’s death this weekend

Her Majesty is currently staying at Prince Philips’s beloved Wood Farm cottage on the Sandringham estate where she is expected to spend Accession Day, on February 6, with her family.  

The monarch usually spends the festive period at Sandringham, but has remained at Windsor Castle since the autumn as a Covid precaution and held muted Christmas celebrations with Prince Charles, The Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Edward and the Countess of Wessex.

In preparation for the anniversary of her father George VI on February 6, 1952, the Queen made a special trip by helicopter followed by a short drive by car to Norfolk last month.

The Queen has seen 14 prime ministers come and go from her first, Second World War leader Sir Winston Churchill, to incumbent Mr Johnson 

A source told the Mail on Sunday: ‘Everything is being put in order for the Queen’s visit. 

‘We’ve been told that she will stay at Wood Farm, rather than the main house, which is nice as that always had a special place in his heart.’

Elsewhere, the Archbishop of Canterbury praised the Queen for ‘doing the right thing’ by sitting alone at the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral.

Justin Welby also commended her for showing ‘duty, leadership and character’.

In an interview with the BBC, he said: ‘The clearest moment for me, the absolute summit of that, was that at the funeral of her husband of 70-something years, she sat alone.

‘That was leadership, it was doing the right thing, it was duty, it set an example.’

The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Celebrations Programme in full 

Here is a list of all of the events taking place for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee:

– January 10: Platinum Pudding Competition  The competition is inviting members of the public to create a dish to dedicate to the Queen’s reign.

– May 12-15: Platinum Jubilee Celebration  More than 500 horses and 1,000 performers will take part in a 90-minute show taking the Windsor Castle audience through history right from Elizabeth I to present day.

Bank Holiday: June 2: Queen’s Birthday Parade (Trooping the Colour)  The colour will be trooped on Horse Guards Parade by the 1st Battalion, Irish Guards and over 1,200 officers and soldiers from the Household Division who will put on a display. Sandringham and Balmoral will also be open for residents and visitors to enjoy the celebrations across the Bank Holiday.

Platinum Jubilee Beacons  The UK will join the Channel Islands, Isle of Man and UK Overseas Territories to light a beacon to mark the Jubilee. The Principal Beacon will also be lit in a ceremony at Buckingham Palace.

June 3: Service of Thanksgiving  The Service of Thanksgiving for the Queen’s reign will be held at St Paul’s Cathedral.

June 4: Platinum Party at the Palace  Some of the world’s greatest entertainers are billed to perform at the concert at Buckingham Palace to celebrate the most significant moments from the Queen’s reign.

June 5: Big Jubilee Lunch  Street parties are being planned across the UK and neighbours are expected to join together for food and fun to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee. It will mark the end of the Bank Holiday.

Platinum Jubilee Pageant  Performers will come together in London to tell the story of the Queen’s reign through a pageant that will include a ‘River of Hope’ section made up of 200 silk flags that will make its way through The Mall, appearing like a moving river.

July: The Royal Collection Trust  Three displays marking the Queen’s accession to the throne, the Coronation and Jubilees will be put on at Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

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