The Queen will return to Westminster Abbey, the place she was crowned as Queen 60 years ago, for a special anniversary service today.
Her Majesty will be joined at the abbey by 2,000 supporters including her husband the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Harry, Prince William and his heavily pregnant wife, Kate.
More celebrations are planned for July, with a four-day Coronation festival lined up at Buckingham Palace.
During the service of celebration, which starts at 11am, the Prime Minister, David Cameron will give a reading and actress Claire Skinner, of BBC sitcom Outbumbered will recite a poem specially written for the anniversary by Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy.
Here's the full order of service.
All stand as the Procession of The Queen moves to places in the Lantern and Sacrarium.
The choir, together with The Queen's Scholars of Westminster School sing:
I was glad when they said unto me: We will go into the house of the Lord.
Our feet shall stand in thy gates: O Jerusalem.
Jerusalem is builded as a city: that is at unity in itself.
Vivat Regina Elizabetha! Long live Queen Elizabeth!
O pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.
Peace be within thy walls: and plenteousness within thy palaces.
Charles Hubert Hastings Parry (1848-1918) Psalm 122: 1-3, 6-7
Remain standing. The Very Reverend Dr John Hall, Dean of Westminster, gives The Bidding:
Sixty years ago, in this holy place, Queen Elizabeth II was anointed with holy oil,
clothed with sacred garments, and, after receiving symbols of authority, crowned
with the Crown of St Edward, King and Confessor, just as Her Majesty's royal
predecessors from 1066.
Here today we gather to give thanks to almighty God for the faithful ministry and
dutiful service The Queen continues to offer God and the people of this Nation, the
Overseas Territories and the Realms, and as Head of the Commonwealth.
As we pray for Her Majesty, for The Duke of Edinburgh,The Prince of Wales, and
other members of the Royal Family in health and wealth long to live, and for peace and
prosperity throughout these lands, so shall we pray for the grace of God, that we too
may offer our lives in faithful service and whole-hearted commitment for the good of
our communities and nations .
Let us pray:
Almighty God, who through anointing with the oil of gladness at the hands of
priests and prophets dost strengthen thy chosen servants with the gifts of thy Holy
Spirit: be pleased to accept our joyful praise as, with united voice, we give thanks for the
long and glorious reign of our Sovereign Lady Queen Elizabeth; and to receive our humble
prayer that, by renewing thy blessings, thou wilt pour upon her thy choicest gifts, and
upon all thy people the spirit of humility and service, shown forth in the life and death of
him who is the anointed King of all, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.
All remain standing for the National Anthem.
GOD save our gracious Queen.
Long live our noble Queen.
God save The Queen.
Send her victorious,
Happy and glorious,
Long to reign over us:
God save The Queen.
from Thesaurus Musicus c 1743 anonymous and arranged for The Queen's Coronation W E Hickson (1803-70)
by Gordon Jacob (1895-1984)
All sit. The Prime Minister,The Right Honourable David Cameron MP, reads 1 KINGS 1: 32-40:
King David said, Call me Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada. And they came before the king. The king also said unto them, Take with you the servants of your lord, and cause Solomon my son to ride upon mine own mule, and bring him down to Gihon: And let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him there king over Israel: and blow ye with the trumpet, and say, God save king Solomon. Then ye shall come up after him, that he may come and sit upon my throne; for he shall be king in my stead: and I have appointed him to be ruler over Israel and Judah. And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada answered the king, and said, Amen: the Lord God of my lord the king say so too. As the Lord hath been with my lord the king, even so be he with Solomon, and make his throne greater than the throne of my lord king David. So Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, went down, and caused Solomon to ride upon king David's mule, and brought him to Gihon. And Zadok the priest took an horn of oil out of the tabernacle, and anointed Solomon. And they blew the trumpet; and all the people said, God save king Solomon. And all the people came up after him, and the people piped with pipes, and rejoiced with great joy, so that the earth rent with the sound of them.
All remain seated. The Choir of Westminster Abbey sings The Motet during which the Procession of representatives of the United Kingdom brings a flask of Oil from the Great West Door to the Sacrarium, where it is received by the Archbishop of Canterbury and given to the Dean to place on the Altar
BEHOLD, O God our defender: and look upon the face of thine Anointed.
For one day in thy courts: is better than a thousand.
Herbert Howells (1892-1983) Psalm 84: 9-10 composed for The Queen's Coronation
All stand. The Dean says let us pray:
O ETERNAL God, who at the Coronation of Elizabeth our Queen didst set her
apart for thy service, anointing her with thy Holy Spirit: grant, we beseech
thee, that strengthened by thy seven-fold gifts we may likewise always remain faithful
to our calling and active in thy service; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
All sit. His Excellency Kamalesh Sharma, Commonwealth Secretary-General, reads ST MARK 10: 35-45:
JAMES and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that
thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire. And he said unto them, What
would ye that I should do for you? They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit,
one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory. But Jesus said unto
them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized
with the baptism that I am baptized with? And they said unto him, We can. And Jesus
said unto them,Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism
that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized: But to sit on my right hand and on my
left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared. And
when the ten heard it, they began to be much displeased with James and John. But
Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted
to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise
authority upon them. But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great
among you, shall be your minister: And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall
be servant of all. For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to
minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
All stand to sing:
ALL people that on earth do dwell,
sing to the Lord with cheerful voice;
him serve with fear, his praise forth tell,
come ye before him, and rejoice.
The Lord, ye know, is God indeed;
without our aid he did us make;
we are his folk, he doth us feed,
and for his sheep he doth us take.
(Choir only) O enter then his gates with praise,
approach with joy his courts unto;
praise, laud, and bless his name always,
for it is seemly so to do.
(Choir only) For why? the Lord our God is good;
his mercy is for ever sure;
his truth at all times firmly stood,
and shall from age to age endure.
(All) To Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
the God whom heaven and earth adore,
from men and from the angel-host
be praise and glory evermore. Amen.
Old Hundredth 334 NEH Psalm 100 Genevan Psalter 1551 paraphrased William Kethe (d 1594) arranged for The Queen's Coronation by Ralph Vaughan Williams
The address is given by The Most Reverend and Right Honourable Justin Welby Archbishop of Canterbury, Primate of All England and Metropolitan.
All remain seated. The choir sings the anthem commissioned for this service by the Dean and Chapter of Westminster
through the generosity of many who sang as choristers at The Queen's Coronation on 2nd June 1953:
THE King shall rejoice in thy strength, O Lord: exceeding glad shall he be of thy
salvation.
Thou hast given him his heart's desire: and hast not denied him the request of his lips.
For thou shalt prevent him with the blessings of goodness: and shalt set a crown of pure
gold upon his head.
He asked life of thee, and thou gavest him a long life: even for ever and ever.
His honour is great in thy salvation: glory and great worship shalt thou lay upon him.
For thou shalt give him everlasting felicity: and make him glad with the joy of thy
countenance.
Psalm 21: 1-6:
O Lord, make thy servant Elizabeth our Queen to rejoice in thy strength; give her
her heart's desire, and deny not the request of her lips; but prevent her with thine
everlasting blessing, and give her a long life, even for ever and ever. Amen.
Bob Chilcott (b 1955) anonymous, adapted from Psalm 21, as set by William Byrd (c 1540-1623)
All kneel or remain seated. The Venerable Dr Jane Hedges, Canon Steward and Archdeacon of Westminster, leads the prayers.
The Reverend Gareth Morgan Jones, President, The Free Churches in Wales, says:
WE give thanks to God for his gracious gifts so freely bestowed on our Sovereign
Lady Queen Elizabeth throughout these past sixty years: for wisdom and
insight; for constancy and steadfastness of faith; and for fortitude and courage, both in
prosperity and adversity.
Let us bless the Lord: Thanks be to God.
The Right Reverend Lorna Hood, Moderator,The General Assembly,The Church of Scotland, says:
WE give thanks to God forThe Queen's long and glorious reign: for her devotion
to duty and to the peoples of this United Kingdom, the OverseasTerritories
and the Realms, and the Commonwealth; for her sustained support of the Armed
Forces and civil powers; and for her unswerving commitment to the peaceful
democratic principles of these lands.
Let us bless the Lord: Thanks be to God.
The Right Reverend Dr Richard Chartres KCVO, Bishop of London and Dean of Her Majesty's Chapels Royal, says:
WE give thanks to God for Her Majesty's example of humble service: for her
commitment to the needs of others; for her affectionate service of her Peoples;
and for the strength and inspiration she fosters in the Nations.
Let us bless the Lord: Thanks be to God.
The Right Reverend Jana Jeruma-Grinberga, The Lutheran Church in Great Britain, and Co-President, Churches Together in England, says:
WE pray that as our Sovereign Lady has been strengthened by her belief and trust
in almighty God, so we and all people of faith may grow and be nurtured in
love and know his peace in our lives.
Lord, in thy mercy: Hear our prayer.
The Most Reverend George Stack, Archbishop of Cardiff, says:
WE pray for those who bear The Queen's authority: for all who have been
elected to public office; for those who serve in the Forces of the Crown,
especially those currently engaged in theatres of conflict; and for those who uphold
and maintain justice; that, inspired by a vision of Christ's glory, all may honour one
another and seek the common good.
Lord, in thy mercy: Hear our prayer.
The Very Reverend Dr John Cairns, Dean, Her Majesty's Chapel Royal, Scotland, says:
WE pray for The Queen and all members of the Royal Family: that they may
have health of body and mind, length of days and grace to continue to serve
the needs of others, and all joy and hope in believing.
Lord, in thy mercy: Hear our prayer.
The Reverend Michael Macey, Minor Canon and Precentor of Westminster, says:
ALL these our prayers and praises let us bring to the throne of heavenly grace, as
we say together the prayer that Jesus taught us:
OUR Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.
All sit. Claire Skinner, actress, reads from St George's Chapel, beside the Coronation Chair
THE THRONE
THE crown translates a woman to a Queen -
endless gold, circling itself, an O like a well,
fathomless, for the years to drown in - history's bride,
anointed, blessed, for a crowning. One head alone
can know its weight, on throne, in pageantry,
and feel it still, in private space, when it's lifted:
not a hollow thing, but a measuring; no halo,
treasure, but a valuing; decades and duty. Time-gifted,
the crown is old light, journeying from skulls of kings
to living Queen.
Its jewels glow, virtues; loyalty's ruby,
blood-deep; sapphire's ice resilience; emerald evergreen;
the shy pearl, humility. My whole life,whether it be long
or short, devoted to your service. Not lightly worn.
Carol Ann Duffy CBE FRSL (b 1955), Poet Laureate specially written for this service.
All stand. The Dean says a prayer:
O ETERNAL God, whose chosen servant Elizabeth our Queen hath for sixty years
worn a crown of glory and righteousness in humble duty and devotion to thee:
grant that we, her people, knowing whose authority she hath,may continue faithfully
to serve, honour, and obey her, in thee and for thee, after the example of him who is
the servant King, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
All stand to sing:
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation;
O my soul, praise him, for he is thy health and salvation:
come ye who hear,
brothers and sisters draw near,
praise him in glad adoration.
Praise to the Lord, who o'er all things so wondrously reigneth,
shelters thee under his wings, yea, so gently sustaineth:
hast thou not seen
all that is needful hath been
granted in what he ordaineth?
Praise to the Lord, who doth prosper thy work and defend thee;
surely his goodness and mercy here daily attend thee;
ponder anew
all the Almighty can do,
he who with love doth befriend thee.
Praise to the Lord! O let all that is in me adore him!
all that hath life and breath come now with praises before him!
Let the Amen
sound from his people again:
gladly for ay we adore him.
Lobe den Herren 440 NEH Joachim Neander (1650-80) Praxis pietatis melica 1668 translated by Catherine Winkworth (1827-78) and Rupert Davies (1909-94)
All remain standing. The Dean pronounces the blessing:
God grant to the living grace; to the departed rest; to the Church, The Queen,
the Commonwealth, and all mankind, peace and concord; and to us sinners life
everlasting: and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit
be among you and remain with you always. Amen.
All remain standing. The Choir sings Te Deum Laudmus during which the Procession of The Queen moves to the Great West Door of the Abbey Church:
WE praise thee, O God; we acknowledge thee to be the Lord.
All the earth doth worship thee, the Father everlasting.
To thee all angels cry aloud, the heavens and all the powers therein.
To thee Cherubin and Seraphin continually do cry, Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of
Sabaoth; heaven and earth are full of the majesty of thy glory.
The glorious company of the apostles praise thee.
The goodly fellowship of the prophets praise thee.
The noble army of martyrs praise thee.
The holy Church throughout all the world doth acknowledge thee,
the Father, of an infinite majesty;
thine honourable, true, and only Son,
also the Holy Ghost, the Comforter.
Thou art the King of Glory, O Christ;
thou art the everlasting Son of the Father.
When thou tookest upon thee to deliver man, thou didst not abhor the Virgin's womb.
When thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death, thou didst open the kingdom of
heaven to all believers.
Thou sittest at the right hand of God, in the glory of the Father.
We believe that thou shalt come to be our Judge.
We therefore pray thee, help thy servants,whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious
blood.
Make them to be numbered with thy saints, in glory everlasting.
O Lord, save thy people, and bless thine heritage.
Govern them and lift them up for ever.
Day by day we magnify thee, and we worship thy Name ever world without end.
Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep us this day without sin.
O Lord, have mercy upon us, have mercy upon us.
O Lord, let thy mercy lighten upon us, as our trust is in thee.
O Lord, in thee have I trusted; let me never be confounded.
William Walton composed for The Queen's Coronation
All remain standing as Members of the Royal Family, a Detachment of The Queen's Body Guard of the Yeomen of the Guard, and of Her Majesty's Body Guard of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen at Arms, and the Choir depart.
Music after the Service: Pomp and Circumstance March no 4 in G Op 39 Edward Elgar
The bells of the Abbey Church are rung.
At 2.30 pm the Westminster Abbey Company of Ringers, conducted by David Hilling, will ring a Coronation Sixtieth Anniversary celebratory peal of London Surprise Royal comprising 5060 changes.
