THE Archbishop of Canterbury has tested positive for Covid-19 and will miss the service of celebration for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, Lambeth Palace announced on Monday.

Archbishop Welby had been due to preach at Friday’s Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral. The Archbishop of York will deliver the address in his place.

Archbishop Welby said on Monday: “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. 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.

“Meanwhile, 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.”

The Archbishop had been suffering from a mild case of pneumonia when he met journalists on Friday to discuss the theme of his new book, The Power of Reconciliation (Books, 27 May).

The book, he said, is “an attempt to set out the principles I’d been developing and working with over the previous 20 years, and to formulate them into words” (News, 30 May).