15 May 2002: The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh enjoy the final day of their visit to Northern Ireland

The Queen's Jubilee tour of Northern Ireland concluded with an ecumenical service of thanksgiving and relaxed visits to an agricultural show and garden party.

The day began at St Anne's Cathedral, Belfast, where The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh attended a special service to mark Her Majesty's Golden Jubilee. Held in the Church of Ireland (Episcopal) Cathedral, the service was multi-denominational, with some 1,000 guests from a cross-section of people throughout Northern Ireland.

During the 45 minute service The Duke of Edinburgh read a lesson, and the Presbyterian Moderator, The Right Reverend Dr Alistair Dunlop, gave a sermon. He reflected, "The Jubilee Year is a call to renewal of faith and trust in God, who leads, rules and provides for his people through succeeding years.

"Stewardship, grace, trust. Here are key words, as, along with the rest of the nation and Commonwealth, we in Northern Ireland celebrate this Jubilee Year.

"We celebrate today a stewardship faithfully exercised by Her Majesty throughout these 50 years."

After the service The Queen and Prince Philip were escorted to the Great West Doors, where the Dean and Church leaders bade farewell.

Northern Ireland's important agricultural industry was on display during the ensuing visit to the Royal Ulster Agricultural Show at Balmoral, Belfast. After signing the visitors' book The Queen and Duke set off on separate tours around the Balmoral Show.

The Queen stopped to chat to judges and stewards inside two of the cattle and horse rings before making her way to the horticultural pavilion. There was time for The Queen, a keen horsewoman, to observe some of the equestrian classes and meet winning owners.

Prince Philip started his tour in the opposite direction, meeting representatives of the Young Farmers' Club and The Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme in Northern Ireland. His Royal Highness met up with The Queen again in the conference centre at the end of their tours.

The final engagement of the Northern Ireland visit was at Hillsborough Castle, where a Golden Jubilee Garden Party was in full sway. In the Castle's Rose Garden The Queen and Duke met a number of Police Service of Northern Ireland Officers, plus representatives of the Armed Services. In the main garden the band of the Royal Irish Regiment played a fanfare as The Queen and Prince Philip arrived. To commemorate their visit The Queen and Prince Philip planted a tree, assisted by Michael McCarthy, Gardener at Hillsborough Castle.

Around 3,000 guests were present at the party, many involved in voluntary, community or public service, one of the main themes of the Golden Jubilee. The guests had been nominated to attend by District Councils, Lord-Lieutenants and Government Departments.

The Queen was introduced to Mrs Molly Foster, the Anniversary and Centenarian Clerk for Northern Ireland, who presented a posy to Her Majesty before The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh flew back to London.

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