00.01. Thursday 30th October 1997.
On the 20th November HM the Queen and HRH the Duke of Edinburgh will celebrate the 50th Anniversary of their marriage. There will be a service of Thanksgiving in Westminster Abbey on that day.
The Archbishops of Canterbury and York have provided all clergy with a special prayer which they have approved for use in public worship throughout the Church of England in connection with this very special anniversary. The Archbishops hope that it will be used in services on the day of the Anniversary itself and/or on either Sunday 16th or Sunday 23rd November. It is, of course, available for use in private prayers as well.
Almighty God
With joy in our hearts, we offer you our praise and thanksgiving as we celebrate the Golden Wedding of our Sovereign Lady, Queen Elizabeth and His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh.
We thank you for your precious gift of marriage, through which countless of your children, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, have found lifelong comfort and love.
Above all, on this happy anniversary, we thank you for the constant commitment of Her Majesty and His Royal Highness, throughout their long marriage, to the selfless Christian service of the people over whom you have called her to reign.
Pour your richest blessings upon them, we pray, and grant them many more years of happiness together.
Through Jesus Christ Our Lord
Amen
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