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Queen marking Coronation anniversary at Westminster Abbey Queen marks Coronation anniversary at Westminster Abbey
(35 minutes later)
A service is being held at Westminster Abbey to mark the 60th anniversary of the Queen's Coronation. The Queen has joined 2,000 guests for a service at Westminster Abbey to mark 60 years since her Coronation.
Some who participated in the 1953 service are in the 2000-strong congregation. Some who took part in the 1953 service were among the congregation.
The Queen is accompanied by more than 20 members of her family, including the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the Duke of Edinburgh. Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev Justin Welby said the event honoured "60 years of commitment".
Prince Philip is by her side despite pulling out of an engagement on Monday night because he was feeling unwell. The Queen was accompanied by more than 20 members of her family, including the Duke of Edinburgh, who pulled out of an engagement on Monday night because he was feeling unwell.
The heavy, solid gold St Edward's Crown is on display on the High Altar - the first time it has left the Tower of London since the coronation.The heavy, solid gold St Edward's Crown is on display on the High Altar - the first time it has left the Tower of London since the coronation.
Beside it will be the Ampulla, the gold, eagle shaped bottle from which the holy oil was poured for the Queen's anointing. Beside it is the Ampulla, the gold, eagle shaped bottle from which the holy oil was poured for the Queen's anointing.
The Queen, whose reign began in 1952, practised wearing the crown around Buckingham Palace in the weeks before her Coronation, including at her children's bath time. The Coronation Chair, one of the oldest pieces of English furniture still in use, is also on show.
The coronation chair, one of the oldest pieces of English furniture still in use, is also on show.
'Duty done''Duty done'
The Queen and Prince Philip entered Westminster Abbey to the same music that greeted her in 1953.The Queen and Prince Philip entered Westminster Abbey to the same music that greeted her in 1953.
Back then, aged 27, she was the 38th sovereign to be crowned in an abbey that has been conducting such ceremonies since the coronation of William the Conqueror in 1066.Back then, aged 27, she was the 38th sovereign to be crowned in an abbey that has been conducting such ceremonies since the coronation of William the Conqueror in 1066.
Very Reverend John Hall, Dean of Westminster, told the BBC: "The service is going to be a great time of celebration, remembering that extraordinary event 60 years ago... I remember watching it when I was four in my grandparents' home. The Dean of Westminster the Very Reverend John Hall, Dean of Westminster, told the congregation: "Sixty years ago, in this holy place, Queen Elizabeth II was anointed with holy oil, clothed with sacred garments, and, after receiving symbols of authority, crowned with the Crown of St Edward, King and Confessor, just as Her Majesty's royal predecessors from 1066.
"But today, celebration, thanksgiving, 60 years of duty done with a glad heart. I think that's the wonderful thing, that duty and service is celebrated at this service today." "Here today we gather to give thanks to almighty God for the faithful ministry and dutiful service the Queen continues to offer God and the people of this nation, the overseas territories and the realms, and as head of the Commonwealth."
The dean is conducting the service, while the new Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev Justin Welby will give the address. Ahead of the service, the dean said the service would mark "60 years of duty done with a glad heart".
The weather 60 years ago was dull and wet, but warm sunshine greets those gathering in London for the anniversary. The Archbishop of Canterbury told those gathered in the abbey the Coronation had been "an ordination, a setting aside of a person for service".
The crowds outside the abbey welcomed the Prince of Wales - who was just four in 1953 - and Duchess of Cornwall, as well as the Duke of Cambridge and the pregnant Duchess of Cambridge. He said that during the ceremony the Queen knelt at the abbey's altar and prayed.
"We do not know what was prayed. Her Majesty knelt at the beginning of a path of demanding devotion and utter self-sacrifice, a path she did not choose, yet to which she was called by God.
"Today we celebrate 60 years since that moment, 60 years of commitment."
'Pomp and ceremony'
At the time the Coronation was a major television spectacle, with an estimated 27 million Britons tuning in.
The weather was dull and wet, but warm sunshine greeted those gathering in London for the anniversary.
The Archbishop said the Coronation had been "the first time the whole nation had watched anything as it happened".
"Pomp and ceremony on a rainy June day, all so very British, wrapped in time and custom."
Her Majesty wore an Angela Kelly dress, hat and coat - made from oyster coloured silk-satin brocade - for the service.
She was joined at the abbey by the Prince of Wales - who was just four in 1953 - and Duchess of Cornwall, as well as the Duke of Cambridge and the pregnant Duchess of Cambridge.
It is the first time the couple, whose first baby is due next month, have attended a public event at the abbey since they married there two years ago.It is the first time the couple, whose first baby is due next month, have attended a public event at the abbey since they married there two years ago.
Other royals present include Prince Harry, the Duke of York, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, Lady Louise Windsor, the Princess Royal and Zara Phillips with her husband Mike Tindall.Other royals present include Prince Harry, the Duke of York, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, Lady Louise Windsor, the Princess Royal and Zara Phillips with her husband Mike Tindall.
The congregation sang the National Anthem before UK Prime Minister David Cameron gave a reading from the Book of Kings.The congregation sang the National Anthem before UK Prime Minister David Cameron gave a reading from the Book of Kings.
Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Kamalesh Sharma, will also give a reading.Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Kamalesh Sharma, will also give a reading.
Actress Claire Skinner, from the BBC sitcom Outnumbered, will read a poem written for the anniversary by Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy. Actress Claire Skinner, from the BBC sitcom Outnumbered, read a poem called The Throne, written for the anniversary by Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy.
'Most beautiful thing'
Lady Glenconner was one of the Queen's six maids of honour in 1953.Lady Glenconner was one of the Queen's six maids of honour in 1953.
She told the BBC: "I remember standing by the door... I remember a roar coming round, we could hear everybody shouting. Then suddenly around the corner came this amazing golden coach, it was like a fairy tale.She told the BBC: "I remember standing by the door... I remember a roar coming round, we could hear everybody shouting. Then suddenly around the corner came this amazing golden coach, it was like a fairy tale.
"She was so beautiful. When she got out of the coach, the tiny waist she had, the wonderful complexion, she just looked the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen.""She was so beautiful. When she got out of the coach, the tiny waist she had, the wonderful complexion, she just looked the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen."
TV spectacle The Queen, whose reign began in 1952, practised wearing the crown around Buckingham Palace in the weeks before her Coronation, including at her children's bath time.
The Coronation was a strictly Anglican Christian event, but 60 years later Sikhism, Islam, Buddhism, Judaism and other faiths will be represented.The Coronation was a strictly Anglican Christian event, but 60 years later Sikhism, Islam, Buddhism, Judaism and other faiths will be represented.
At the time the Coronation was a major television spectacle, with an estimated 27 million Britons tuning in.
Last year's Diamond Jubilee marked the 60th anniversary of the Queen's accession to the throne.Last year's Diamond Jubilee marked the 60th anniversary of the Queen's accession to the throne.
Prince Philip had been due to accompany the Queen to a gala reception for the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) at St James's Palace in London on Monday but was unwell.Prince Philip had been due to accompany the Queen to a gala reception for the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) at St James's Palace in London on Monday but was unwell.
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