William and Kate given starring role at Diamond Jubilee service


May 30, 2012

When she walks into St Paul's Cathedral for the thanksgiving service on the fourth and final day of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations, the Queen will be preceded by those who will carry on her life's work.In a move designed to put the focus on the accession, the monarch and the Duke of Edinburgh will be accompanied down the aisle by Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Harry.

Other members of the royal family, including Princess Anne, and the Earl and Countess of Wessex will not join the procession, and will have less prominant roles in the other events of the Jubilee weekend.They will not be on the Buckingham Palace balcony for the fly-past or be involved in the carriage procession from St Paul's.

But they will be in the congregation, along with 40 members of the family.

A spokesman for the cathedral said: "The decisions on the order of service began with the Palace and we were told that the theme should be about the accession rather than the coronation.

"Clergymen accompanying the royal procession down the aisle will include the Archbishop of Canterbury and Bishop of London, who gave the inspirational sermon at William and Kate's wedding.

The order of service for the ceremony, which starts on Tuesday morning at 10.30am, is available to download from St Paul's website.

During the proceedings Prime Minister David Cameron will giving a reading from the New Testament on the theme of duty and sacrifice.

Prayers will be read by a number of inspirational young people, and are to be led by the Rev Jason Rendell, a Minor Canon of St Paul's.

They will give thanks for the "lifelong service of Her Majesty".

Thanksgiving Order of Service

  • Begins at 9.50am: Members of the Royal family arrive at St Paul's Cathedral
  • 10.28am: A fanfare is sounded as the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh arrive. They walk down the aisle, following the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Bishop of London, the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall,the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry.
  • The Bidding: The Dean of St Paul's welcomes the congregation, who then join the Lord's Prayer.
  • Hymn: All People That On Earth Do Well 
  • Old Testament reading: Proverbs 8: 1,6-12 read by the Right Rev Michael Colclough, Canon Pastor
  • Psalm 96 
  • New Testament reading: Romans 12: 1-18, read by David Cameron
  • The Sermon: Given by the Archbishop of Canterbury
  • Prayers 
  • Hymn O Praise Ye The Lord 
  • The Collect: Given by The Right Rev Richard Chartres, Bishop of London
  • Hymn: Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer 
  • The Blessing: Given by the Archbishop of Canterbury

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