The full Order of Service for the Service of Thanksgiving for The Queen's reign has been released. To download the service in pdf format, click here. The address given by the Archbishop of Canterbury will be available after the service.

The connection between the Royal Family and St Paul's Cathedral goes back to the first cathedral on the site, built by Ethelbert, King of Kent. In the 14th century, Edward III ordered the priests to clear shops and brothels from the church. After the defeat of the Spanish Armada, Elizabeth I arrived at the cathedral in a chariot pulled by two white horses to give thanks. Later, she returned to celebrate her long reign.

When the medieval St Paul's was destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1666, it was Charles II who insisted on a replacement and who chose the court architect Sir Christopher Wren to design it. The king even contributed £2,000 towards the cost - equivalent to £160,000 today.

Building lasted from 1675 to 1710 and was overseen by five monarchs. Because their presence was expected on all major occasions, there was even a rumour that Queen Anne was to be assassinated there - by the bizarre method of removing screws in the dome, so the roof would fall on her.

Queen Victoria took a close interest in St Paul's. She personally approved plans for the 1852 funeral of the Duke of Wellington. Like George III, whose Golden Jubilee was held at St Paul's in 1809, Queen Victoria chose the cathedral to celebrate her own anniversaries. For her Diamond Jubilee in 1897 there were two services - a State event attended by the Prince and Princess of Wales and, two days later, a simple 20-minute service given on the cathedral steps while the queen listened from her carriage. At 78, she was too frail to enter the church.

Almost 40 years later, George V came to St Paul's for his Silver Jubilee in 1935. One of the hymns was I vow to thee my country, with music by Gustav Holst, which was also chosen by Prince Charles for his wedding.

The pattern has continued, with George VI and his family leading the thanksgiving for the end of World War II in Europe in 1945. It was a poignant occasion, with the RAF orchestra playing in the bomb-damaged quire, a temporary altar and 50 places in the congregation reserved for housewives. Six years later, the king launched the Festival of Britain - and a new optimistic era - with a broadcast from the cathedral steps. His wife, Queen Elizabeth (the late Queen Mother), retained close links with the cathedral, becoming patron of the Friends of St Paul's and celebrating her 80th and 100th birthdays there.

Her daughter, HM Queen Elizabeth II, has been an equally frequent visitor on State occasions, enacting the ancient ritual of gaining the Lord Mayor's permission to enter the City on her way. Her coronation thanksgiving service was held at St Paul's in 1953, as was her Silver Jubilee in 1977 and, now, her Golden Jubilee in 2002.