Men, women and children stood with their hands on their hearts - some with heads bowed, others looking straight ahead - battling grief as the strains of The Star-Spangled Banner rose for the first time in history beneath the dome of St Paul’s Cathedral, London. In a simple, informal memorial service, ordinary Americans joined captains of industry and politicians, and representatives of world religions to mourn the victims of the US terrorist attacks on Friday.
Outside, an estimated 30,000 people, including many Americans, had gathered to listen to the service relayed by loudspeaker.
The half muffled single bell of St Paul’s tolled as Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh arrived at the cathedral at noon.
Accompanied by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr George Carey, the monarch made her way slowly down the aisle followed by candle bearers. Behind her, carrying a large cross, walked American businessman Norman Cooley, whose firm had an office in the North Tower of the World Trade Center.
Once the Queen had taken her seat, the orchestra struck up the American national anthem, and members of the 2,500-strong congregation sang along, some holding up US flags. A 17-year-old American student, who has been studying in London for the last seven years, then lit a special candle of remembrance.
Chief Rabbi of the Orthodox Jewish Community, Dr Jonathan Sacks, and the Chairman of Imams and Mosques, Dr Zaki Badawi, listened as Archbishop George Carey spoke of “standing alongside the people of America in their grief”.
The message was simple, he said, it was one of “love, solidarity and also hope,” adding: “We hope you know we are with you in your hour of need.” He went on to say, "Those responsible for such barbaric acts must be held to account, but we must be guided by higher goals than mere revenge."
Also among the numerous religious leaders in the congregation were Roman Catholic Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor and a representative for the Buddhist faith in the UK.
American ambassador, William Farish gave the first reading and the Duke of Edinburgh the second. An American lay reader from Louisiana currently living in London, Marsha Mallory, also read a prayer.
Among the hymns played was the rousing Battle Hymn Of The Republic, written in 1864 for the Northern armies during a crisis in the American Civil War.
The service closed with a rendition of God Save The Queen, after which the British monarch stepped out into the cold but sunny afternoon to meet people from the country's American community.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
