The Queen attended a thanksgiving service on Tuesday at St Paul's Cathedral in London at the climax of her diamond jubilee celebrations, but without her husband who remains in hospital.
Royals, churchmen, politicians and the cream of British society were packed into the pews beneath the famous dome of the 17th-century cathedral in central London for hour-long service.
But Prince Philip, 90, who has been at the Queen's side for almost every official event of her 60-year reign, was missing the service after being taken to hospital on Monday with a bladder infection.
Heir to the throne Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, sat beside the 86-year-old monarch in the front row of the cathedral nave, instead of Phillip, AFP reports.
A lady-in-waiting accompanied the Queen as she was driven from Buckingham Palace to St Paul's, accompanied by a police motorcycle outrider and security vehicles.
Flag-waving crowds lined the route and cheered as the car moved slowly down the Mall, the ceremonial avenue leading from the palace, and through the city of London.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, delivered the sermon during the service, while Prime Minister David Cameron gave a reading from the New Testament of the Bible.
The service, attended by 2000 guests, ended with the singing of the national anthem.
The Queen wore a white outfit, designed by Angela Kelly, of fine silk tulle, embroidered with tiny star-shaped flowers embellished with silver thread. It featured a pale green chiffon drape, scattered with Swarovski crystals on the shoulders, while the crown of her hat was covered in the same material.
The festivities conclude later on Tuesday with a ceremonial carriage procession in London.
The Queen, Prince Charles, Prince William and his wife Catherine, and Prince Harry will appear on the Buckingham Palace balcony for a Royal Air Force flypast.
