| One big happy family gives thanks
July 12, 2000 BY ALAN HAMILTON sent by EUROHISTORY THE Royal Family turned out in force yesterday to fill the front pews of St Paul's Cathedral at a thanksgiving service for their matriarch Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. More than 2,000 family, friends, foreign royalty, staff, politicians and representatives of charities and patronages filled the cathedral for the nation's official celebration of the Queen Mother's 100th birthday, which falls on August 4. Prince William, making his first public appearance since leaving Eton last month, joined almost his entire family, with only Zara Phillips, Marina Ogilvy and Lord Nicholas Windsor absent abroad. The Royal Family are rarely seen together in such numbers; the last time so many gathered was for the Queen's golden wedding celebration at Westminster Abbey in 1997. Yesterday they were joined by the crowned heads of Luxembourg, Norway and Belgium, along with the former kings Michael of Romania and Constantine of Greece. Flanked by the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh in front of the altar under the St Paul's dome, the Queen Mother cut a tiny but brilliant figure in peach as she listened to Dr George Carey, the Archbishop of Canterbury, praise the virtues of old age. Dr Carey sent a rousing laugh through the cathedral when he thanked the Queen Mother for the loan of a wine glass, a reference to a Guildhall lunch two weeks ago when he accidentally picked up the guest of honour's drink, leaving her empty-handed as she tried to propose a toast. After the service the Queen Mother was driven to a private lunch with Princess Margaret while the Queen entertained foreign royalty to lunch at Buckingham Palace.
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| Order of service
A SERVICE OF CELEBRATION AND THANKSGIVING IN HONOUR OF THE 100th BIRTHDAY
OF HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH THE QUEEN MOTHER
The Choristers sing
THE DEAN gives THE BIDDING We come to this Cathedral Church today to rejoice with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother as we give thanks to God together for her long life. We remember with great gratitude all that she has meant and continues to mean to so many people. We recall her long years of public service in peace and in war; her love of life; her delight in people; her steadfastness; her humour. We ask that God will continue to sustain her, and to enlarge and enrich our common life. We pray also for all the peoples of this nation and Commonwealth; for peace, and righteousness, and prosperity; that we may seek at all times the things that are true, the things that endure. And so, in the quiet confidence of faith, we pray: The Lord's Prayer HYMN: Love Divine, all loves excelling THE OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Isaiah 32. 1-3, 16-18 read by THE REV ANTHONY BURNHAM, Moderator of the Free Churches Council PSALM 121
THE NEW TESTAMENT LESSON Philippians 4. 4-8 read by THE MOST REV CORMAC MURPHY-O'CONNOR Archbishop of Westminster ANTHEM
THE LITANY OF THANKSGIVING
AS we call to mind the life of our nation and Commonwealth, so may we
give thanks to God in faith and trust.
Let us bless the Lord.
FOR Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother; for all that she has done to enrich the lives of so many; remembering also with gratitude His late Majesty King George The Sixth. Let us bless the Lord.
FOR all people touched by The Queen Mother's devotion to public service and love of life, in times of hardship, prosperity, and in times to come. Let us bless the Lord.
FOR all those who, with Her Majesty, celebrate one hundred years this year, in thanksgiving for wisdom, discernment and courage gained and given over long lives. Let us bless the Lord.
FOR our own lives, always giving thanks for those who have gone before, and asking that we might go forward with confidence and hope. Let us bless the Lord.
O GOD, in whom we live and move and have our being, grant that your goodness and mercy shall follow us all the days of our lives, that we may ever trust in your unfailing love. Through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen. HYMN: LEAD us, heavenly Father, lead us THE ADDRESS given by THE MOST REV AND RIGHT HONOURABLE GEORGE CAREY, Archbishop of Canterbury HYMN: NOW thank we all our God THE BISHOP OF LONDON, the Dean of the Chapels Royal, says FATHER of all, from whom comes every good and perfect gift, bless your servant, Elizabeth, The Queen Mother, and pour upon her the riches of your grace; prosper all her days and endue her with happiness, health and peace, through Jesus Christ our Lord who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. ANTHEM THE Lord bless you and keep you
THE NATIONAL ANTHEM |
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The seating plan The Duke of Edinburgh, The Queen Mother, The Queen FRONT ROW, LEFT FRONT ROW, RIGHT
SECOND ROW, LEFT SECOND ROW, RIGHT
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