Queen tells of her 'gratitude, respect and pride' as she thanks nation and family

The Queen expressed her "gratitude, respect and pride" for the people of Britain and the Commonwealth yesterday before the golden jubilee celebrations came to an end.

A million people stood for hours to see the monarch make her way through the capital in the baroque state gold coach.

At a lunch in the Queen's honour at Guildhall in the City, Tony Blair, the Prime Minister, spoke of the "huge affection" of the nation towards her. "Deference may be inherited, but affection is earned and the affection this country feels for you is real," he said.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr George Carey, had begun his sermon at St Paul's by quoting Queen Elizabeth I: "Though God hath raised me high, I count the glory of my Crown, that I have reigned with your loves."

Yesterday the Queen said: "Gratitude, respect and pride: these words sum up how I feel about the people of this country and the Commonwealth – and what this golden jubilee means to me"

She was also generous in praise of her family. At the lunch, she said: "I take this opportunity to mention the strength I draw from my own family. The Duke of Edinburgh has made an invaluable contribution to my life over these past 50 years. Both of us have a special place in our hearts for our children. I want to express my admiration for the Prince of Wales and for all he has achieved for this country.

"Our children, and all my family, have given me such love and unstinting help over the years, and especially in recent months."

Then came the World Cup metaphor, which had the guests laughing dutifully. "Although this weekend comes about halfway through my jubilee year, as far as we are concerned it bears no relation to a rest at 'half-time' ," she said.

"I am very glad that the 50th anniversary of my accession is giving so many people all over this country and in the Commonwealth an excuse to celebrate and enjoy themselves."

The last day of the holiday weekend was a mixture of pomp and grandeur, of popular and ethnic-minority culture. The service at St Paul's, with a congregation of 2,400, including politicians, diplomats and Royals, had the synchronised splendour of a state occasion, with a Litany of Thanksgiving for the Queen and her 50 years on the throne.

But there were also readings from two teenagers, contributions from other Christian denominations and represen-tatives from other faiths among the guests.

Dr Carey talked about the "necessary evolution of the monarchy" and added: "Unlike so much in the modern world, this relationship, the one between sovereign and people, has grown stronger and deeper with the passage of time."

After the service, a gospel choir of 5,000, led by the singer Patti Boulaye, and dressed in a rainbow of bright colours, sang and danced down the Mall to the royal party at the Queen Victoria memorial. The parade illustrated the "variety of British life" while the Spirit of Friendship Festival "celebrated the richness of the Commonwealth diversity".

There was one variety of British life noticeable by its absence from the celebrations; the aristocracy. At St Paul's, a gentleman who said he owns "a bit of land in Leicestershire" adjusted his morning coat and smiled. "We are not in keeping with what is needed. We are not part of the theme."