The service held at the iconic St. Paul’s Cathedral in London was attended by around 50 royal family members, including the Queen’s husband Duke of Edinburgh, who himself is celebrating his 95th birthday on Friday.
British Prime Minister David Cameron gave a reading from the Bible and the Dean of St. Paul’s David Ison thanked the Queen for her “dutiful commitment, loving leadership, gentle constancy”.
The service was held to pay tribute to her “faithful devotion” to the country. Dressed in yellow, the Queen arrived at the cathedral to cheers from gathered crowds and a fanfare of trumpets this morning.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Rev. Justin Welby, said in his tribute: “Over the 63 years and the 90 years there has been much to fear: at times of personal challenge or national crisis.
“But just as the Psalmist sees through fear to something more stirring and more extraordinary, so we look back on Your Majesty’s 90 years in the life of our nation with deep wonder and profound gratitude.
“Through war and hardship, through turmoil and change, we have been fearfully and wonderfully sustained.” After the service, the Queen hosted the Governors-General for lunch at Buckingham Palace.
On Friday marks the start of a whole weekend of celebrations, which will include the annual Trooping the Colour to be held at London’s Horse Guards Parade on Saturday, which will see more than 1,400
officers on parade, 200 horses, and more than 400 musicians taking part.