29-30 April 2002: Dinner at 10 Downing Street and a reply to loyal addresses at Westminster

A dinner with prime ministers past and present and a visit to Wesminster marked the start of The Queen's Golden Jubilee celebrations. In an historic address to Parliament, The Queen rededicated herself to her role and looked forward to the forthcoming festivities marking "these fifty, unforgettable years".

The sentiments were expressed to a gathering of peers, MPs and prime ministers, past and present, at Westminster Hall on the morning of Tuesday 30 April.

Dressed in a striking blue hat and suit, and with The Duke of Edinburgh at her side, The Queen reflected on the past 50 years and outlined her hopes for the future.

The Queen opened her speech by praising the work of Parliament. "I would like to pay tribute to the work you do in this, the Mother of Parliaments - where you, like so many famous predecessors before you, have assembled to confront the issues of the day, to challenge each other and address differences through debate and discussion, and to play your essential part in guiding this Kingdom through the changing times of the past fifty years."

The Queen said she was confident that the nation's "timeless values" would continue to guide succeeding generations, whatever the future might hold.

"These enduring British traditions and values - moderation, openness, tolerance, service - have stood the test of time, and I am convinced they will stand us in good stead in the future."

The Queen also announced the creation of a brand new award to mark her Golden Jubilee and recognise the important work of those providing service to society. The Queen's Golden Jubilee Award will be awarded annually for voluntary service by groups in the community. 

Closing her speech, The Queen rededicated herself to her continuing role as Sovereign, saying: "I would like above all to declare my resolve to continue, with the support of my family, to serve the people of this great nation of ours to the best of my ability through the changing times ahead." 

The ceremonial proceedings had begun in the historic hall with loyal addresses paid to The Queen from Lord Chancellor Lord Irvine and Michael Martin, Speaker of the House of Commons. Despite enormous changes, Lord Irvine reflected, The Queen had "remained constant in our affections" over the past 50 years.

The last time The Queen addressed the joint Houses of Parliament was in 1995 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.  

The Queen's relationship with Parliament and her ministers was also the subject of the previous evening's engagement. On Monday 29 April, The Queen dined at Number 10 Downing Street, the official residence of the Prime Minister. There Her Majesty was joined by all five living prime ministers of her fifty-year reign - Tony Blair, Margaret Thatcher, James Callaghan, John Major and Edward Heath - in addition to relatives of past premiers.

The Queen arrived with The Duke of Edinburgh and was met at the door of Number 10 by the Prime Minister and Mrs Blair. The menu, which included duck breast and roast turbot, was cooked by television chef Rick Stein.

The dinner was only the fifth such event held at Number 10 during The Queen's reign. The last previous such occasion had been hosted by John Major in 1996 to mark the 80th birthday of Sir Edward Heath.

Read the full text of the Lord Chancellor's address (pdf, 148kB)
Read the full text of the Speaker's address (pdf, 148kB)
Read the full text of The Queen' reply (pdf, 144kB)

Back to May index