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Jubilee

The Earl and Countess of Wessex with Princess Eugenie

The Gold State Coach stops at Temple Bar

The Gold State Coach travels down the Mall

The Gold State Coach arrives at St. Paul's Cathedral

The Royal Family leaves St. Paul's Cathedral

4 June 2002: The Gold State Coach takes The Queen and Prince Philip in ceremonial procession to St. Paul's Cathedral

Around a million people lined the streets of London to see The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh travel from Buckingham Palace to St. Paul's Cathedral for the National Service of Thanksgiving for The Queen's reign. After the service, The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh were guests of honour at a Jubilee luncheon, at which The Queen reflected on her 50-year reign.

Massive crowds were already gathering along the route from Buckingham Palace to St. Paul's Cathedral in the early hours of Tuesday morning to make sure they had a prime position for the procession; some of the spectators had camped out for several days.

First along the route at 10.35am was a carriage procession carrying members of the Royal Family, accompanied by a Captain's Escort of the Household Cavalry.

Minutes later, The Queen began her Royal progress to the sound of a Royal Salute and Coronation anthem 'Zadok the Priest' sung by massed choirs and orchestras on two enormous stages outside Buckingham Palace. Pulled by eight greys, the Gold State Coach made its way through the centre gates of Buckingham Palace bearing The Queen and Prince Philip, both waving to the gathered throngs.

Accompanied by cheers from the flag-waving crowds and a constant stream of ceremonial music performed by thousands of musicians and singers along the route, the Gold State Coach made its way along the Mall. It was preceded and followed by divisions of the Sovereign's Escort. Directly behind the coach rode The Princess Royal, in her role as Gold Stick in Waiting, and The Prince of Wales.

At around ten past eleven the Gold State Coach reached Temple Bar, where it halted. Temple Bar marks the western boundary of the City of London. There an ancient custom was observed. For centuries, whenever the Sovereign has entered the City of London, the Lord Mayor surrendered his sword as a symbol of the precedence of the Sovereign.

On this occasion the Lord Mayor, Alderman Michael Oliver, was waiting ready for the arrival of The Queen. A red silk line was held across the boundary line at Temple Bar by two City of London Policemen until the arrival of the procession.

The Lord Mayor advanced and surrendered the Pearl Sword by presenting the hilt to The Queen. The Pearl Sword dates from the 16th century and takes its name from the scabbard of pearls. It is only used on great ceremonial occasions, when it is carried by the Lord Mayor personally.

The Queen accepted it and returned it to the Lord Mayor. The ceremony was conducted in silence, according to tradition.

The Lord Mayor and his party then immediately returned to their carriages and preceded The Queen's procession on to the cathedral. At the same time a Royal Salute of 62 rounds was fired at the Tower of London by the Honourable Artillery Company. Seven new fanfares, composed by Elgar Howarth, welcomed the Royal Procession along the City leg of the ceremonial route.

At St Paul's Cathedral, The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales and The Princess Royal were received by the Dean and Chapter, the Bishop of London and the Archbishop of Canterbury, and conducted in procession to their seats.

The service drew together representatives of all the major Christian denominations. Leaders of other religious faiths in the UK were also present.

The sermon was given by Dr. George Carey, Archbishop of Canterbury. In his address, Dr. Carey praised The Queen's unfailing dedication to her role. "Yours, as many have noted, has been a reign in which change and innovation have been watchwords. And yet we sense, indeed we know, in you an abiding constancy, anchored in a profound commitment to service."

He also paid tribute to the support offered throughout The Queen's reign by Prince Philip. "We honour especially Prince Philip, whose unswerving support and energy of vision have been so crucial in the necessary evolution of the Monarchy during this time."

The Archbishop's sermon concluded with thanks to God for The Queen's reign. "Your Majesty, Elizabeth our Queen, you have the respect and affection of your people: you do indeed 'reign with our loves'. For your servanthood is the glory of your reign. And, today, we thank God for it."

Read the full Order of Service (pdf, 96kB)

After the service, The Queen continued by car to Guildhall for a special luncheon. Before the lunch The Queen viewed a collection of portraits and paintings in the Guildhall Art Gallery. They included a picture of The Queen as a nine-year-old girl when she and her sister, Princess Margaret Rose, aged four, were captured peeping out from among the adult members of the Royal Family as they entered St Paul's Cathedral for the Silver Jubilee service of King George V, The Queen's grandfather.

Before lunch The Queen also met beneficiaries of the Bridge House Estates Trust. Bridge House Estates is London's largest grant making body and has given out grants in excess of £100m since 1995, including a grant of £4.2 million towards the Millennium Bridge.

To mark the Golden Jubilee, the Trust set up a £2 million Golden Jubilee Grants Scheme in January 2002. The grants under this scheme will be announced in the autumn.

For the lunch itself, guests had been invited from a broad cross-section of the community, and included representatives from The Queen's charities and young people. Before the meal began, a series of speeches were made by the Lord Mayor, The Queen and Prime Minister Tony Blair.

The Queen began with a light-hearted reference to the ongoing World Cup football championship and her pleasure in providing an opportunity for national celebration.

"I am more than conscious at the moment of the importance of football. Although this weekend comes about half way through my Jubilee year, as far as we are concerned, it bears no relation to a rest at 'half-time'. However, I am very glad that the fiftieth anniversary of my accession is giving so many people all over this country and in the Commonwealth an excuse to celebrate and enjoy themselves."

Her Majesty also paid a personal thank you to her husband and children for their support. "I take this opportunity to mention the strength I draw from my own family. The Duke of Edinburgh has made an invaluable contribution to my life over these past fifty years, as he has to so many charities and organisations with which he has been involved.

"We both of us have a special place in our hearts for our children. I want to express my admiration for The Prince of Wales and for all he has achieved for this country. Our children, and all my family, have given me such love and unstinting help over the years, and especially in recent months."

In her conclusion, The Queen summed up the values of her reign and her Golden Jubilee. "Gratitude, respect and pride, these words sum up how I feel about the people of this country and the Commonwealth - and what this Golden Jubilee means to me."

After a warm speech by Tony Blair, the Prime Minister, it was time for lunch. The celebratory meal started with Bouquet of Asparagus and Ribbons of Scottish Smoked Salmon, followed by Tournedos of Beef served with Golden Souffle of Globe Artichoke, Sage Butter Sauce, Jersey Royal New Potatoes and French Beans. For afters there was Meringue Vacherin and Pearls of Passion Fruit with Raspberry and Spiced Orange Ice Cream.