From the joyous to the solemn, St Paul’s Cathedral in London has been the setting for a national spectacle and ceremony for centuries.
On this occasion, the mood was festive as hundreds of people gathered to mark the Queen’s Platinum anniversary – an event that the monarch would have held close to her heart because of the importance she attaches to her Christian faith.
Although the Queen was not present at the Thanksgiving, the enthusiasm and willingness to mark the milestone and express gratitude was not diminished.
The Archbishop of York incorporated the Queen’s love of horse racing into his sermon, acknowledging that while she was not here in person, she is “still in the saddle.”
His horse-themed quarrels sparked smiles among the queen’s closest, and laughter wafted through the cathedral.
As the congregation filtered into the famous place of worship, they were greeted with a pleasant cool air, a welcome respite from the hot sunshine that bathed the capital on Friday morning.
Within a few hours before the service began, as people came to their seats – laid out in perfectly straight rows – a relaxed and contented talk filled the historic building.
At 10.05 the first notes sounded from the cathedral’s large organ, which has been played by greats, including Mendelssohn and Handel.
The music during the service bordered on the cinematic and theatrical, especially during the royal procession, where the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall arrived just before noon. 11.30.
The large organ, Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Portsmouth, together with the cathedral’s choir ensured that the musical moments of the 50 – minute service created an atmosphere befitting a grand royal milestone.
William, Kate, Charles and Camilla joined Princess Royal and her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence in the front row.
Shortly before, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrived hand in hand, and they sat in the second row on the other side of the aisle.
Harry and Meghan had to squeeze past their cousins Princess Beatrice and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and Princess Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank, who were already sitting, to get to their seats.
Harry was seen with his mouth open, seeming to enjoy a joke with another royal sitting across the hall.
Beatrice, who was sitting a few seats down, also laughed in the same direction.
The cathedral’s ornate sculptures and carvings were soaked by sunlight from the large windows above, while the gold paint and chandeliers glistened.
The sartorial choice of the women present was a sign of the arrival of summer, with pastels and cerise shades of pink, light shades of turquoise and the season’s favorite green pepper in the congregation.
A range of fascinators and hats were combined with day dresses, in keeping with classic royal casual wear.
The altar was modestly adorned with two floral arrangements on each side.
The red and white flowers, scattered among the green, were arranged by The Church of England Flower Arrangers Association.
The Queen planned to watch the service on television at Windsor Castle, and she may also have laughed at the fact that her love of horses got a prominent mention in the ceremony.
The event was a compliment to the 96-year-old monarch, who reflected on her 70-year reign and into the future.
As the Archbishop said “there is still more to come”.
