Queen Elizabeth Concludes Jubilee With Rare Speech

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Queen Elizabeth II concluded a four-day celebration Tuesday of her 60th year on the throne by attending a religious service, taking a public carriage ride, addressing the nation and posing with family members on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.

The Queen's Diamond Jubilee culminated with a rare address to the nation in which she thanked all the organizers and participants in the elaborate anniversary celebrations and said she hoped the activities would not soon be forgotten. "I hope that memories of all this year's happy events will brighten our lives for many years to come." Other than annual Christmas Day broadcasts, the Queen rarely speaks directly to the nation.

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As in the previous days, the 86-year-old monarch was met with crowds cheering "God save the queen!" But Tuesday's events were held without Prince Philip -- the Queen's husband of 64 years -- who was hospitalized on Monday for treatment of a bladder infection.

Following a morning service of thanksgiving at St. Paul's Cathedral, the queen returned to Buckingham Palace in the afternoon in an open carriage and appeared on the palace balcony with the present and future of the monarchy: her heir, Prince Charles, and his wife, Camilla. Also waving from the balcony were Prince William, the second-in-line to the throne, along with his wife, Kate Middleton and Prince Harry.

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