Menu
19/11/2007
Queen's Diamond Anniversary Celebrations Underway
The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh have started celebrations in advance of their 60th wedding anniversary tomorrow with a service at Westminster Abbey.
More than 2,000 people attended today's service, which included more than 30 family members, such as Prince William, who gave a reading.
Other guests included representatives from the former Royal Yacht Britannia, the Royal Train and the Royal Squadron, five choristers from the couple's wedding in 1947 and 10 other couples who were married on the same day.
Actress Dame Judi Dench also read the poem 'Diamond Wedding', which was written specially for the service by poet laureate Andrew Motion.
Leading the service, Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams said: "Every marriage is a public event, but some couples have to live more than others in the full light of publicity.
"We are probably more aware than ever these days of the pressures this brings. But it also means that we can give special thanks for the very public character of the witness and the sign offered to us by this marriage, and what it has meant to nation and Commonwealth over the decades."
Princess Elizabeth and Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten married on November 20, 1947. The Queen is the first British sovereign to celebrate a diamond wedding.
(KMcA)
More than 2,000 people attended today's service, which included more than 30 family members, such as Prince William, who gave a reading.
Other guests included representatives from the former Royal Yacht Britannia, the Royal Train and the Royal Squadron, five choristers from the couple's wedding in 1947 and 10 other couples who were married on the same day.
Actress Dame Judi Dench also read the poem 'Diamond Wedding', which was written specially for the service by poet laureate Andrew Motion.
Leading the service, Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams said: "Every marriage is a public event, but some couples have to live more than others in the full light of publicity.
"We are probably more aware than ever these days of the pressures this brings. But it also means that we can give special thanks for the very public character of the witness and the sign offered to us by this marriage, and what it has meant to nation and Commonwealth over the decades."
Princess Elizabeth and Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten married on November 20, 1947. The Queen is the first British sovereign to celebrate a diamond wedding.
(KMcA)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
06 October 2011
Wedding Dress Firm Jilts Brides
Brides beware as a wedding dress company has left 76 couples with unfulfilled pre-paid orders. Two directors at the Nuneaton bridal company were disqualified for a total of fourteen years.
Wedding Dress Firm Jilts Brides
Brides beware as a wedding dress company has left 76 couples with unfulfilled pre-paid orders. Two directors at the Nuneaton bridal company were disqualified for a total of fourteen years.
28 April 2011
Syrian's Royal Wedding Invite Withdrawn
Foreign Secretary William Hague has decided that the presence of the Syrian Ambassador at the Royal Wedding would be unacceptable and that he should not attend.
Syrian's Royal Wedding Invite Withdrawn
Foreign Secretary William Hague has decided that the presence of the Syrian Ambassador at the Royal Wedding would be unacceptable and that he should not attend.
06 November 2014
Mayor Of London Hopes To Extend Poppy Display
Mayor of London Boris Johnson has called for the ceramic poppy display to be kept at the Tower of London. The display, called Blood Swept Lands And Seas Of Red, represents each British and colonial service person who died during World War One.
Mayor Of London Hopes To Extend Poppy Display
Mayor of London Boris Johnson has called for the ceramic poppy display to be kept at the Tower of London. The display, called Blood Swept Lands And Seas Of Red, represents each British and colonial service person who died during World War One.
29 January 2008
Wife Guilty Of Anti-Freeze Murder Bid
A seventh wedding anniversary celebration with a difference has left a man blind and deaf. Lee Knight also suffered brain damage and kidney failure, after his wife, Kate, poisoned him with anti-freeze, She has now been found guilty of attempted murder.
Wife Guilty Of Anti-Freeze Murder Bid
A seventh wedding anniversary celebration with a difference has left a man blind and deaf. Lee Knight also suffered brain damage and kidney failure, after his wife, Kate, poisoned him with anti-freeze, She has now been found guilty of attempted murder.
03 May 2011
Five Charges Following Royal Wedding
Following 55 arrests on Friday during the Royal Wedding, five people have been charged. John Dobson, 32, from Lancashire has been charged with going equipped to cause criminal damage. Terry Butts, 26, from Surrey was charged with a racially aggravated offence under the Public Order Act.
Five Charges Following Royal Wedding
Following 55 arrests on Friday during the Royal Wedding, five people have been charged. John Dobson, 32, from Lancashire has been charged with going equipped to cause criminal damage. Terry Butts, 26, from Surrey was charged with a racially aggravated offence under the Public Order Act.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A cloudy evening and night with a little light rain or drizzle, perhaps some clear periods developing along the east coast. A very mild night everywhere. Minimum temperature 7 °C.
