The Queen's arrival in St Paul's Cathedral was heralded by a tremendous fanfare as Her Majesty entered the historic building for a thanksgiving service in celebration of her Diamond Jubilee.
The new trumpet fanfare was written for the occasion and tailor-made for its performance space.
Inside Prime Minister David Cameron and the Prince of Wales were among the famous figures from home and abroad who had gathered to pay tribute. The Duchess of Cambridge dazzled in a nude lace dress, her stylish hat adding an energetic flair to her well-chosen outfit.
Prince William and Kate arrived together, the Duchess of Cambridge in an Alexander McQueen dress and matching hat.
Wing Commander Duncan Stubbs composed the 50-second tune - called Jubilate - and incorporated the cathedral's nine-second echo into the piece.
Crowds gathered as dignitaries paid tribute to the Queen at St Paul's
But the Duke of Edinburgh, the Queen's companion throughout her reign, was absent after being admitted to hospital yesterday with a bladder infection.
Crowds began congregating in The Mall from early morning in anticipation of the glittering carriage procession which featured the Prince of Wales, Duchess of Cornwall, Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry.
Around the precincts of the Cathedral spectators had gathered to see the arrival of the senior members of the Royal Family.
Princess Beatrice arriving at St Paul's Cathedral
The absence of Philip from today's events means Charles and Camilla will now join the Queen in the 1902 State Landau for the procession.
The Queen wore an outfit of fine silk tulle, embroidered with tiny mint green star-shaped flowers embellished with silver thread.
It featured a mint green chiffon drape, scattered with Swarovski crystals on the shoulders.
The crown of the hat was covered in the same tulle and was also draped in mint green chiffon and Swarovski crystals.
The Queen wore a mint green outfit for Tuesday's celebrations
The royals and senior clergy processed through the cathedral but the Queen walked by herself at its rear, behind the Lord Mayor bearing the Pearl Sword.
The seating arrangements had changed and instead of sitting at the very front on her own, the Queen was joined by her eldest son, Charles, on her right.
When everyone had taken their seats, the Very Reverend David Ison, Dean of St Paul's, told the congregation: "We come to this Cathedral Church today to give thanks to almighty God for the prosperous reign of the Queen and to rejoice together in this year of Her Majesty's Jubilee as we celebrate 60 years of her sovereignty and service.
"As we come together as loyal subjects from all parts of the Realms and Commonwealth of Nations, we give thanks for the blessings bestowed by God on our Sovereign Lady Queen Elizabeth, and we celebrate the identity and variety which our nations under her have enjoyed."
During an extended Bank Holiday weekend her 60-year reign has been marked by a serious of spectacular national events - a River Thames pageant watched by more than a million people and a music concert last night where a host of famous names performed.
But today the life of the head of the Church of England was being honoured in a religious context through prayers and hymns.
It was announced this morning that the Queen will give a message of thanks for this weekend's Diamond Jubilee celebrations in a special address to be broadcast this evening.
The address, lasting just over two minutes, was recorded in the Presence Room in Buckingham Palace yesterday before the Jubilee Concert.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, was giving the thanksgiving sermon at St Paul's Cathedral today, paying tribute to the Queen's lifelong dedication to her nation.
"To declare a lifelong dedication is to take a huge risk... but it is also to respond to the promise of a vision that brings joy."
In recent days the Archbishop, who will step down from his post in December, has spoken about his experiences of the monarch, highlighting not just her insight and judgment but also her "real personality".
Reflecting fondly on their one-to-one meetings, the Archbishop said: "I found in the Queen someone who can be friendly, who can be informal, who can be extremely funny in private - and not everybody appreciates just how funny she can be - who is quite prepared to tease and to be teased, and who, while retaining her dignity always, doesn't stand on her dignity in a conversation."
The service was a religious acknowledgement of the life of the Queen who has reigned for 60 years and is head of the Church of England.
Take a look at pictures from Tuesday's Diamond Jubilee celebrations below:
SEE ALSO:
- Thanksgiving Service At St Paul's Cathedral Begins With A Fanfare
- Kate Stuns In 'Nude' McQueen Dress
- Rowan Williams Praises The 'Huge Risk' Of Queen's Lifelong Dedication At St Paul's
- Gary Barlow, Cheryl Cole, Robbie Williams, Kylie Minogue, Paul McCartney Sing For Her Majesty (PHOTOS)
- HM Queen Moved By Duke Of Edinburgh's Absence, and Prince Of Wales's Emotional Tribute
- Kate, Duchess Of Cambridge, Stuns In 'Nude' Alexander McQueen Lace Dress
- Labour MP Lambasts Jubilee 'Slave Labour'