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LONDON Boisterous celebrations marking the Queen's DiamondJubilee came to an end Tuesday as Her Majesty appeared on a balconyat Buckingham Palace and waved her thanks to a cheering sea of anestimated 1.5 million people. The ceremonial avenue known as The Mall leading up to the palacewas packed with revellers many waving the Union Jack andhoisting umbrellas to guard against the rain. The Queen was joined by other members of the Royal Family,including Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, her grandsons,princes William and Harry, and Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge but not her husband, Prince Philip, who is in hospital. It was one of the few grand state occasions in her life when he hasnot been present, taking some of the gloss off what has widely beenseen as a triumphant diamond jubilee. Overhead, the skies thundered with the flypast of 18 Royal AirForce planes in honour of the Queen. As the Queen's Guard shottheir rifles into the air, the crowd joined together to sing GodSave the Queen. Soon thereafter, a pre-recorded address to the nation by the Queenwas to be broadcast throughout Britain on TV and radio. The finale came shortly after Queen Elizabeth's procession returnedto the palace in a horse-drawn state landau Tuesday afternoon, asthousands of people lined the streets to catch a glimpse. Earlier in the day, she participated in a religious service ofthanksgiving attended by guests and foreign leaders, includingPrime Minister Stephen Harper. The service was held at St. Paul's Cathedral, as the Archbishop ofCanterbury, Rowan Williams, gave a sermon honouring Queen Elizabethfor her 60 years on the throne. "What we are marking today the anniversary of one historicand very public act of dedication," he said. "A dedication that has endured faithfully, calmly andgenerously through most of the adult lives of most of us here. Weare marking six decades of living proof that public service ispossible and that it is a place where happiness can be found." Also in his homily, Williams made note of how the Bible stressedthe importance of selflessness and sacrifice qualities that theQueen had shown over the years. "In all her public engagements, our Queen has shown a qualityof joy in the happiness of others," he said. The Queen, wearing a mint green dress, sat in the front row withother members of the Royal Family, with her husband, Prince Philip,notably absent. He was taken to hospital Monday as a"precaution" due to a bladder infection. The couple's youngest son Prince Edward, who visited Philip inhospital, told reporters that his father was "gettingbetter." The palace said the outspoken prince will remain in hospital forseveral days and was "disappointed" to miss thecelebrations, which he watched on television. U.S. President Barack Obama also paid tribute to the Queen,describing her as "a steadfast ally, loyal friend and tirelessleader." "While many presidents have come and gone, your majesty'sreign has endured," he said in a video message. "Thatmakes your majesty both a living witness to the power of ouralliance and a chief source of its resilience." The monarch insisted on attending Monday's spectacular concert infront of the palace which featured stars including PaulMcCartney, Elton John and Stevie Wonder despite Philip's illhealth. After the final set, Prince Charles urged the crowd to show theirsupport, and they responded by raising a huge roar and chanting"Philip, Philip." On Tuesday morning, the crowds began building up in London to watchthe Queen as she made the trip in her Bentley vehicle from thepalace to the cathedral. From her car seat, she waved to the crowdsand smiled. As she arrived at the cathedral, crowds chanted "God Save theQueen." Inside, trumpets rang out and a choir sang as she walked into thecathedral to be met by her son, Prince Charles, and grandsonsWilliam and Harry. A wide array of Britain's leading politicians, including PrimeMinister David Cameron, had already been seated as had othermembers of the royal household. Harper and his wife, Laureen, who arrived on the weekend for thecelebrations were also present. Also in the cathedral for the service were Canada's governorgeneral, David Johnston and his wife, Sharon. The service was held on the fourth day of celebrations throughoutBritain. The highlights have included a rain-soaked flotilla of1,000 boats down the River Thames on Sunday and a star-studdedconcert for the Queen on Monday evening at Buckingham Palaceattended by thousands of people. - With files from AFP, Reuters Twitter.com/Mark_Kennedy_. We are high quality suppliers, our products such as China Continuous Casting Machine , Insulation Processing Machines Manufacturer for oversee buyer. To know more, please visits Cement Brick Machine.
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