03 SEP 2023
A tribute & memorial website to honour​ - Lord Louis MOUNTBATTEN, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma
20 NOV 2007
ROYAL DIAMOND WEDDING ANNIVERSARY
60th Anniversary of the wedding of HM The Queen & Prince Philip
In November 2007, Queen Elizabeth II (1926(1952- ) and Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh (b.1921) celebrated their Diamond Wedding Anniversary (60yrs) - the first time a reigning Sovereign had reached this milestone. The Royal couple attended a Service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey where they were married on 20th November 1947. Also to mark the occasion, some official photographs were released - which echoed photos taken in 1947, when the Royal couple stayed at Broadlands at the start of their honeymoon.
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For the recreated photographs, The Queen wore the same three strand pearl necklace and the 'Chrysanthemum Brooch' (a collection of sapphires and diamonds set in platinum) that she wore in 1947.
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The Royal Couple in 1947
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The Royal Couple in 2007
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Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh & Queen Elizabeth II at Broadlands
on the occasion of their Diamond (60th) Wedding Anniversary
In his sermon at the Service of Thanksgiving, the Archbishop of Canterbury - The Most Rev. & Rt Hon. Dr Rowan Williams, later Lord Williams of Oystermouth (b.1950) said - "Today we celebrate not only a marriage but the relationship between monarch and people of which also that marriage is a symbol." Their grandson - Prince William, The Duke of Cambridge (b.1982) read the lesson John 4:7-16, and told the congregation to "let us love one another, because love is from God". Dame Judi Dench (b.1934) read the poem Diamond Wedding, written especially for the occasion by Poet Laureate - Sir Andrew Motion (b.1952), which speaks of "a life remote from ours because it asked each day, each action to be kept in view".
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Queen Elizabeth II & Prince Philip,
The Duke of Edinburgh
with their children, grandchildren
and other members of the Royal Family
at Clarence House, London - following a dinner
(hosted by Prince Charles, The Prince of Wales
& Camilla, The Duchess of Cornwall)
to celebrate the Royal Diamond (60th)
Wedding Anniversary
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ABOVE: Queen Elizabeth II
& Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh
leaving Westminster Abbey following
their Diamond (60th) Wedding Anniversary
Service of Thanksgiving
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LEFT: Lady Pamela Hicks
(Mountbatten's youngest daughter)
with her daughters:
India (left) and Edwina (right)
following the Royal Diamond (60th)
Wedding Anniversary Service
of Thanksgiving
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Lady Pamela Hicks
(Mountbatten's youngest daughter)
following the Royal Diamond (60th)
Wedding Anniversary
Service of Thanksgiving
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On 18th November 2007, The Queen and The Prince attended a family dinner at Clarence House, London - hosted by Prince Charles, The Prince of Wales (b.1948) and Camilla, The Duchess of Cornwall (b.1947). They were joined by their children, grandchildren and other members of the Royal Family.
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Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh & Queen Elizabeth II (then Princess Elizabeth) in Malta
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On the actual date of the anniversary (20th November 2007), The Queen and Prince Philip flew to Malta, where they had lived whilst the Prince was stationed in the Royal Navy on this island. The Queen is known to have fond memories of her time on the island - as she lived a 'normal life' as a Navy wife between 1949-1951, her last time of moderate freedom before taking on the responsibilities of The Crown in 1952, and the trip to Malta was thought to be the highlight of their anniversary programme. The Royal couple used Malta as a 'stop off' on way to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Uganda, Africa.
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