Christian Service to Celebrate Queen Elizabeth’s 80th Birthday

|PIC1|Queen Elizabeth II is due to attend a special service of thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral as part of continuing celebrations since she turned 80 on April 21st.

A number of dignitaries including Prime Minister Tony Blair will join thirty-four members of the Queen’s family who will turn out for the Christian service. They include husband Prince Philip, heir to the throne Prince Charles and also Princes William and Harry.

Former Conservative PMs Baroness Thatcher and Sir John Major, and singers Sir Cliff Richard, Dame Shirley Bassey and Dame Vera Lynn, and guitarist Eric Clapton are just some of the notables on the guest list.

The Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams is expected to say to the congregation during his sermon, “As we mark the year of her 80th birthday, we give thanks for steadfast commitment to the calling that is hers, freely given to this nation and Commonwealth”.

Faith leaders attending the event include Archbishop of Westminster Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, Dr Mohammed Raza of the Muslim College, director of the Network of Sikh Organisations Dr Indarjit Singh and the Chief Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks.

Selected hymns for the special service include “Praise My Soul The King of Heaven” and “All People That On Earth Do Dwell”.

|TOP|Prayers of thanksgiving for the Queen’s devotion to duty, long years of public service and Christian faith will also be said during the service.

Around 2,300 additional guests will gather at the historical cathedral where the Queen’s Bodyguard, the Yeoman of the Guard, will also be in position.

Guests include one hundred members of the public picked from a ballot of those who wrote to the palace requesting tickets.

The special thanksgiving service comes ahead of the Queen’s official birthday on Saturday.