Boris Johnson will praise Queen’s ‘tireless service’ to mark Platinum Jubilee on Sunday 

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.

 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.’