The Queen's platinum jubilee celebrations continued today with a national service of thanksgiving to honour the monarch and her achievements over the last 70 years of her rule. Coverage of the event began at 9.15am on BBC1, with presenter Kirsty Young interviewing guests and royal commentators in an outside studio in the run up to the service.
Veteran broadcaster David Dimbleby took over the reins to guide the TV audience - including the Queen herself - through the event at St Paul's Cathedral. The coverage followed members of the royal family and other dignitaries arriving for the church service, with the Prince of Wales representing his 96-year-old mother, who decided not to attend after her exertions greeting crowds at yesterday's Trooping of the Colour.
It is reported that Her Majesty suffered some "discomfort" following a busy first day of festivities, which included her appearance on the balcony of Buckingham Palace and lighting a beacon in the evening. The Queen's aides said that she would be following the service on TV from Windsor Castle instead.
READ MORE: The reasons around half of people in Wales say they won't celebrate the jubilee
But it seems that many TV viewers are hard to please, with David Dimbleby himself coming in for some criticism on social media. Estella Joyce @LelJoyce took to Twitter to share her scorn for the BBC's coverage.
"They’re talking absolute drivel on the BBC in the run up to the service of thanksgiving for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee," she declared. Nick Kilby @kingstonkilby appeared to agree, adding: "Is it time for David Dimbleby stops commentating on royal events? Ye god he's lost the plot!"
He added: "Time to press the red button!" referring to an option provided by the BBC for viewers to watch the service without any commentary. Dimbleby's attention to detail was taken as being patronising by some, including Carrie @MissCarrieW.
She tweeted: "I get David Dimbleby's job is to help explain things, but even I know the answers to the questions he is posing. 'Why would Prince William be different to his brother'?" Suzanne @knittynora62 said: "I can’t work out why David Dimbleby is being so obtuse this morning."
"He’s asking the most inane questions at the St Paul's Cathedral Platinum Jubilee service," she added. "Is he insulting us by suggesting we need daft questions asked, is he too old for the job or is the producer directing it?" Keeley Bowtell @keeleybowtell wrote: "Why is David Dimbleby asking such silly questions?!
It's fair to say that while the coverage has annoyed some, other viewers have taken to Twitter to praise the BBC's coverage. Moon Pavilion @MoonPavilion said: "Very much enjoying Maureen Lipman's chat on the BBC just before the Thanksgiving Service."
Some critics of yesterday's BBC coverage of the Trooping of Colour, presented by Huw Edwards, had demanded the return of David Dimbleby in his place. King George VIIII @GeorgeThe9th had said: "I can't understand why the BBC haven't wheeled in David Dimbleby to lend an air of authority...Huw Edwards seems too light and frothy."
Commenting today, Martin Sykes @musicmanleeds said: "How refreshing to have a commentator, David Dimbleby, who can speak without the, er, constant, er, hesitations, er, of Huw, er, Edwards! Class, at last!" Tony Balmforth @tonybalmforth added: "What an absolute treat to have the wonderful Kirsty Young, with her mellifluous voice, back on the box. Couple that with commentary by David Dimbleby and we have the perfect team."
Crowds turned out to greet guests attending the St Paul's thanksgiving service, where the Archbishop of York delivered the sermon. The Most Rev Stephen Cottrell is reported to have had to step in after the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev Justin Welby, contracted Covid 19.
They included Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who were back in the royal fold for the first time after leaving their duties for a 'quieter life' in the USA two years ago. Other senior royals at the service included the Duchess of Cornwall and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, although Prince Andrew, the Duke of York missed the event after also coming down with the coronavirus.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson was set to lead tributes to the Queen at the service. Other guests included 400 people who have been honoured for their public service, including NHS staff and other key workers recognised for their work during the pandemic.
