Royals Queen Elizabeth Just Hit a New Milestone amid Her Platinum Jubilee: 'I Am Deeply Touched' More than one million "Jubilee" trees have been planted in honor of the monarch's 70 years on the throne By Simon Perry Published on March 31, 2022 02:43 PM Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: Steve Parsons/Pool/AFP via Getty Queen Elizabeth is thanking everyone who took part in a special "green" initiative in honor of her Platinum Jubilee. Using the phrase "Plant a tree for the Jubilee," people across the U.K. were invited to plant their own trees to commemorate Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee, which celebrates her 70th year on the throne. A remarkable one million trees have been planted across the country during the Queen's Green Canopy initiative, which kicked off last October. In a special message issued from the Queen's residence at Windsor Castle on Thursday, the monarch, 95, said: "As the planting season draws to a close, I send my sincere thanks to everyone across the country who has planted a tree to celebrate my Platinum Jubilee. "I am deeply touched that so many community groups, schools, families and individuals have made their own unique contributions to the Green Canopy initiative. "I hope your Jubilee trees flourish and grow for many years to come, for future generations to enjoy." The personal message coincided with a royal tree-planting ceremony conducted by the Queen's daughter-in-law Sophie, Countess of Wessex, who planted an elm tree on the grounds of Buckingham Palace on Thursday morning. The Queen's Green Canopy initiative has seen the planting of more than one million trees across Britain since last fall. The monarch planted one of the first trees of the campaign in Windsor with her son and heir Prince Charles, and also took part in a ceremony with some children during her stay at Balmoral Castle in Scotland last October. Prince William and Kate Middleton also took part in a tree-planting ceremony during their visit to Wales on March 1 and during their recent tour of the Caribbean. Toby Melville - WPA Pool/Getty Images Kate Middleton and Prince William's Playful Moment During Tree-Planting Ceremony Almost Went Unnoticed! On Thursday, Sophie added an elm tree as a living memorial to the Queen. She was joined by young students from Grange Park Primary School in Telford, Shropshire. The students were also presented with commemorative Jubilee coins from the Royal Mint to mark the successful completion of their QGC RFS Junior Forester Award. Sophie Wessex gives presents a medal to one of the schoolchildren. Toby Melville - WPA Pool/Getty Images Photographs of each tree-planting moment across the U.K. have been added to the Queen's Green Canopy's interactive map, which has created a digital record of each tree planted across the country. Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more! Kate Middleton and Prince William plant a tree in Wales on March 1. Samir Hussein/WireImage The Queen's message and the planting ceremony mark the halfway point for The Queen's Green Canopy initiative, which spans two official tree planting seasons. Tree planting will commence again in October 2022 until the end of the Jubilee year. The next phase, which will focus on conservation, will see the unveiling of 70 Ancient Woodlands and 70 Ancient Trees, which it is calling the British countryside's "crown jewels."