- Duke of Edinburgh attended the service despite being taken ill and withdrawing from an engagement last night
- Prince William and his heavily-pregnant wife Kate also came - a month before she is due to give birth
- Majestic St Edward's Crown, which has not left the Tower since the Queen's Coronation is brought back to the Abbey
- Queen, Prince Philip, their children and spouses to attend private lunch after the service
The Queen, Duke of Edinburgh and leading royals have attended a special service at Westminster Abbey today to mark the 60th anniversary of her coronation in 1953.
Outside the church crowds of smiling well-wishers wearing red, white and blue took to the streets to cheer Britain's monarch.
Much of the Royal Family were at the church to mark the landmark day with a religious service at Westminster Abbey, where she was crowned on June 2, 1953.
Alongside the Queen is the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall and more than 20 royals, including the heavily pregnant Duchess of Cambridge and her husband Prince William.
It is the first time the couple, whose first baby is due next month, has attended a public event at the church since they married there more than two years ago.
During his address the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby described the Queen's life as one of 'demanding devotion and utter self sacrifice - a path she did not choose but one she was called to.'
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Royal anniversary: Queen Elizabeth arrives with Prince Philip (L) at Westminster Abbey to celebrate the 60th anniversary of her coronation
Arrivals: The Queen smiled broadly as she arrived at Westminster Abbey dressed in all white as members of the Royal Family also gathered
Royal arrival: Prince William and his pregnant wife Kate arrive at the Abbey this morning ahead of the service. Prince Harry can also be seen with them (right)
The Duke of Edinburgh was also there despite having to withdraw from an engagement with this wife last night due to illness.
The service is the main national event to celebrate the coronation and is a lower-key affair than last year's events that marked the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
Leading figures from national life were among the 2,000 guests, including the Prince of Wales, Prime Minister David Cameron, Commonwealth Secretary General Kamalesh Sharma and senior individuals from the military.
The Dean of Westminster, the Very Rev Dr John Hall, welcomed the Queen and Duke when they arrived at the great west door of the Abbey where kings and queens have been crowned since 1066.
Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall, who had arrived a few minutes before the royal couple, also warmly greeted the Queen and Philip.
Among the guests was Lord Singh of Wimbledon, from the Sikh community, a regular on the BBC Radio 4's Today programme, and senior figures from the Sunni and Shia Muslim communities, liberal and orthodox Jewish communities and the UK's Hindus.
High Commissioners from Commonwealth countries were also present, along with representatives of British overseas territories, the diplomatic corps and participants in the 1953 coronation.
Westminster Abbey: Prince William, left, his pregnant wife Kate, and his brother Harry read from the order of service as they take their seats today
Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie take their seats inside Westminster Abbey ahead of the service this morning
Prime Minister David Cameron arrives at Westminster Abbey today where he will read the first reading. Winston Churchill was Prime Minister 60 years ago at the Queen's Coronation
Next generation: Prince William, his pregnant wife the Duchess of Cambridge, and his brother Prince Harry take their seats inside Westminster Abbey
Heir to the throne: Prince Charles and his wife Camilla are welcomed into Westminster Abbey ahead of the service this morning
Dropping off? Zara Phillips' husband Mike Tindall sitting behind Kate and William looked tired and had his eyes closed on several occasions
Former England captain Tindall was also rubbing his eyes, having just returned from Hong Kong where he played in a rugby match against the British and Irish Lions
Other royals present were Prince Harry, the Duke of York, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, Lady Louise Windsor, the Princess Royal and Zara Phillips and her husband Mike Tindall.
Today's spectacle, like the event of 60 years ago, was broadcast live by the BBC.
Fanfare trumpeters of the Band of the Welsh Guards sounded a musical flourish to announce the arrival of the Queen.
Although the 1953 coronation was an exclusively Anglican Christian ceremony, representatives from other faiths were invited to attend today's celebration.
Arrival: Princesses Eugenie, left, and Beatrice wave to the crowds as they arrive at Westminster Abbey this morning for the service
Royal family: (Pictured left to right) Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie, Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex arrive at Westminster Abbey for the service this morning
Getting to the Abbey: Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and Dean of Westminster, The Very Reverend Dr John Hall (R) arrive for the celebration
Arrivals: Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, arrives at the service (left) as does Prime Minister David Cameron (right) who was doing the first reading
Expecting: A heavily-pregnant Duchess of Cambridge gets out of a car as she arrives at Westminster Abbey today. She is expecting her baby in just a months time
Arrive: Prince William, his wife Catherine, and Prince Harry enter Westminster Abbey today ahead of the service to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Coronation Service
More arrivals: Princess Eugenie, Prince Edward and Sophie of Wessex arrive (left) and Princess Michael of Kent is seen (right)
As the Queen arrived, already seated in the abbey were senior members of the Queen's family from the Duke of Cambridge and his heavily pregnant wife Kate to Prince Harry and the Duke of York and his daughters Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.
Also present were the Earl and Countess of Wessex and their daughter Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor, the Princess Royal and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence,
Peter Phillips and his wife Autumn, Zara Phillips and her husband the former England rugby international Mike Tindall.
Among the minor royals were the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke and Duchess of Kent and Prince and Princess Michael of Kent.
Royal arrival: The Queen, with her husband Prince Philip behind her (right image) arrives at Westminster Abbey this morning. He was taken ill yesterday and was forced to miss an engagement - but was fit enough for the commemorative service today
Lining the streets: Well wishers wait outside Westminster Abbey ahead of a service of celebration to mark the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II's coronation
Celebration: A patriotic man wearing a crown and a similarly flamboyant woman wearing a union flag headscarf wait outside Westminster Abbey in the June sunshine
Royal arrival: The majestic St Edward's Crown - with which the Queen was crowned arrives at Westminster Abbey today. It is the first time it has left the Tower of London since the Coronation in 1953. It will sit on the Altar during the service but will not be worn
Royal arrival: Prince Charles (right) and his wife Camilla (left) head into Westminster Abbey this morning at the start of the service
Sixty year reign: The Queen, sitting with her husband Prince Philip who was forced to miss an event yesterday because of illness, arrive at Westminster Abbey today in their chauffeur-driven vehicle
Wave: Fit enough to attend after being taken ill yesterday, Prince Philip waves to the crowd as the Queen's chauffeur-driven car arrives at Westminster Abbey
The formal service has been divided into the Recognition, Anointing, Homage and Thanksgiving, reflecting parts of the original Coronation ceremony.
The majestic St Edward’s Crown - with which the Queen was crowned - will rest on the High Altar - the first time the heavy, solid gold, jewel encrusted crown has left the Tower of London since the 1953 coronation.
The Ampulla, the gold, eagle shaped bottle from which the holy oil was poured for the anointing - the most sacred part of the coronation - also stood on the altar.
A flask of aromatic oil - taken from the same batch made for the Queen’s coronation - will be processed through the Abbey, carried by representatives of the people of the UK , to the Sacrarium, received by the Archbishop of Canterbury and placed by the Dean of Westminster on the High Altar.
Prime Minister David Cameron is to give a reading, as will the Secretary General of the Commonwealth Kamalesh Sharma.
Actress Claire Skinner, who stars in the BBC sitcom Outnumbered, will read a poem written for the anniversary by the Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy.
History: A smiling Prince Philip watches on after Queen Elizabeth II is crowned in Westminster Abbey 60 years ago, in 1953
Amazing: The historic event on June 2, 1953, was the first Coronation to be broadcast live on television and was watched by 27million people
The Queen was crowned at Westminster Abbey on June 2, 1953, in a solemn, ancient ceremony which dates back more than 1,000 years.
Although the coronation was an exclusively Anglican Christian ceremony, Sikh, Islamic, Buddhist, Jewish and other faith representatives will attend today.
Other guests include High Commissioners from Commonwealth countries and representatives of British Overseas Territories and the Diplomatic Corps, armed forces personnel and participants in the 1953 coronation.
Line of succession: Queen Elizabeth II and members of the Royal family leave Westminster Abbey following the service
Long reign: The Queen leaves Westminster Abbey this morning after the service to mark the 60th anniversary of her Coronation
Meeting: Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge speak to the Dean of Westminster (in yellow) as the Royal family leave Westminster Abbey today
Departure: Prince Harry talks to Zara Phillips as they leave Westminster Abbey this morning following the service. Princess Anne can be seen (right), while Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie are walking away (left)
Departure: The Royal family leave Westminster Abbey today following the service to mark the 60th anniversary of the Queen's Coronation
The Dean of Westminster, the Very Rev Dr John Hall, will conduct the service, while the new Archbishop of Canterbury the Most Rev Justin Welby will give the address.
After the service which will be broadcast live by the BBC, the Queen, Philip, their children and spouses will gather for a private lunch with 100 guests from the Abbey community in College Hall - the medieval abbot’s dining hall built in the late 14th century - in nearby Dean’s Yard, hosted by the Dean and Chapter of Westminster.
In 1953, more than 8,200 guests witnessed the historic proceedings in the Abbey and an estimated 27 million people in Britain watched the events unfold on television.
Spectacular: Members of the Honourable Artillery Company fire a 62-round Royal Salute from Gun Wharf at the Tower of London this morning to mark the 60th anniversary of the Queen's Coronation. It was fired yesterday
Last year’s Diamond Jubilee was the focal point for national celebrations for the Queen’s accession, with a river pageant down the Thames involving a flotilla of 1,000 boats, a concert in front of Buckingham Palace and a traditional service of thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral.
The 60th anniversary of the Queen’s coronation is a more low-key affair, with commemorations focusing on the Abbey service.
In the summer, a four-day Coronation Festival is being held in the gardens of Buckingham Palace from July 11 to July 14, organised by the Royal Warrant Holders Association.
Galas in the evening will include performances by Katherine Jenkins, Russell Watson, Katie Melua and The Feeling.
For its annual summer opening this year, Buckingham Palace will stage a special exhibition dedicated to the coronation and display the outfits worn by the Queen and other members of the Royal Family.
Amid the celebrations, the royals are awaiting the arrival of William and Kate’s baby - a future king or queen - which is due in mid July.
The Queen and Prince Phillp after her Coronation wave to the huge crowds. The celebrations this year are far more low-key
Magical: The procession of Queen Elizabeth II approaches the Great West Door of Westminster Abbey, on the way out after the Coronation service
RETURNING TO THE ABBEY: ST EDWARD'S CROWN ON DISPLAY IN WESTMINSTER FOR FIRST TIME IN 60 YEARS
The Queen will once again be close to the St Edward’s Crown at Westminster Abbey – for the first time since her coronation 60 years ago.
It has been worn by Kings and Queens at the Abbey for the last 350 years but has not left the Tower of London for six decades.
Today the solid gold, jewel encrusted priceless crown will be placed on the Altar in the Abbey, on a day rich in symbolism.
Security will be tight as it is taken the short distance from the Tower to the Abbey and officials have refused to confirm when it would happen.
Weighing 2.23kg (nearly 5lb), the St Edward's Crown is the heaviest crown in the collection of Crown Jewels.
In 1953, Dr Geoffrey Fisher raised it aloft and placed it on the monarch's head. ‘By a glance she indicated it was steady,’ he later recalled.
It is set with tourmalines, white and yellow topazes, rubies, amethysts, sapphires, garnet, peridot, zircons, spinel, and aquamarines, step-cut and rose-cut and mounted in enamelled gold collets, and with a velvet cap with an ermine band. In total, it has 444 jewels.
The crown was made for the coronation of Charles II in 1661 and was a replacement for the medieval crown which was melted down on the orders of Oliver Cromwell in 1649.
During the most sacred part of the service, the Queen was anointed as monarch while sitting in King Edward’s Chair, where a thousand years of monarchs have sworn their oaths to God and made promises to their peoples. The Prime Minister then was Winston Churchill.
Today the Ampulla, the gold, eagle shaped bottle from which the holy oil was poured for the anointing will also be moved from the Tower to rest on the Altar alongside the crown.
The Ampulla, the gold, eagle shaped bottle from which the holy oil was poured for the anointing - the most sacred part of the coronation - will also be moved from the Tower to rest on the Altar.
In 1953, the Queen's Coronation service began at 11.15am and lasted almost three hours, concluding at 2pm.
An estimated 27 million people in Britain huddled round early small black and white television sets and a further 11 million listened on the radio.
The Queen's Coronation dress was made by Mr Norman Hartnell from white satin embroidered with the emblems of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.
THE ORDER OF SERVICE AT THE 60th ANNIVERSARY OF HER MAJESTY'S CORONATION
Opening Hymn: I was glad
The National Anthem
First Reading: Prime Minister David Cameron read KINGS 1: 32-40
The Anointing: A flask of oil is brought to the Sacrarium, where it was received by the Archbishop of Canterbury and given to the Dean to place on the Altar while then choir sang The Motet.
Second Reading: Kamalesh Sharma, Commonwealth Secretary-General, read St Mark 10: 35-45
Hymn: All people that on earth do well
The Address: Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby spoke
Prayers by The Most Reverend George Stack, Archbishop of Cardiff, The Very Reverend Dr John Cairns, Dean, Her Majesty’s Chapel Royal, Scotland, The Reverend Michael Macey, Minor Canon and Precentor of Westminster.
Claire Skinner, actress, read from St George’s Chapel, beside the Coronation Chair
Carol Ann Duffy CBE FRSL, Poet Laureate, read a specially written poem for the Service
The Thanksgiving
Hymn: Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
Lobe den Herren 440 NEH Joachim Neander (1650-80) Praxis pietatis melica 1668 translated by Catherine Winkworth (1827-78) and Rupert Davies (1909-94)
The blessing
Hymn: Te Deum Laudamus
William Walton's Crown Imperial was performed
Music after the Service: Pomp and Circumstance March no 4 in G Op 39 Edward Elgar
The bells of the Abbey Church were rung
Westminster Abbey Company of Ringers, conducted by David Hilling, rang a Coronation Sixtieth Anniversary celebratory peal of London Surprise Royal comprising 5060 changes.
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