0:00:08 > 0:00:12Today, we're remembering an historic day, 60 years ago,
0:00:12 > 0:00:16when a young Princess Elizabeth arrived at Westminster Abbey.
0:00:20 > 0:00:23As she walks down the aisle, the eyes of the world were upon her
0:00:23 > 0:00:28as people crowded round television sets to watch the service.
0:00:33 > 0:00:37Welcome to a very special edition of Songs Of Praise as we join the celebrations
0:00:37 > 0:00:41to mark the 60th anniversary of the Coronation of Her Majesty the Queen,
0:00:41 > 0:00:45a reign of six decades and a lifetime of Christian faith.
0:00:49 > 0:00:53This week, I'll be talking to the Bishop of London about Her Majesty's strong faith,
0:00:53 > 0:00:58we catch up with a chorister who sang a solo at the historic service in Westminster Abbey,
0:00:58 > 0:01:02and there is spectacular Coronation music from Canterbury Cathedral.
0:01:12 > 0:01:15When the Queen was crowned, six decades ago,
0:01:15 > 0:01:19she became not only the Head of State of the UK and 15 other Commonwealth realms,
0:01:19 > 0:01:24but also Defender of the Faith and Supreme Governor of the Church of England.
0:01:30 > 0:01:33The ancient and magnificent building that is the mother church
0:01:33 > 0:01:36of Anglicans worldwide is Canterbury Cathedral.
0:01:39 > 0:01:41And tucked away in a quiet corner of the building
0:01:41 > 0:01:45is the cathedral's own tribute to the Queen's Coronation.
0:01:47 > 0:01:50The cathedral's had a high-profile this year
0:01:50 > 0:01:54with the new Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby,
0:01:54 > 0:01:56enthroned here in March.
0:01:56 > 0:01:59Let us greet our newly installed Archbishop with great gladness.
0:01:59 > 0:02:02APPLAUSE
0:02:02 > 0:02:06In Her Majesty's lifetime, there have been ten Archbishops of Canterbury,
0:02:06 > 0:02:09and amazingly, she has now reigned over seven of them.
0:02:13 > 0:02:16The cathedral's almost like two separate churches
0:02:16 > 0:02:19with the nave here at one end and the quire -
0:02:19 > 0:02:23Q-U-I-R-E - through that screen to the east.
0:02:23 > 0:02:26And it's in the quire that we're having our musical celebration.
0:02:31 > 0:02:33This is St Augustine's chair.
0:02:33 > 0:02:38He was the first ever Archbishop of Canterbury some 14 centuries ago.
0:02:38 > 0:02:41Today, it's surrounded by Songs Of Praise singers
0:02:41 > 0:02:44from churches, choirs and schools around Canterbury.
0:02:44 > 0:02:47In what we believe to be a first for Songs Of Praise,
0:02:47 > 0:02:50they're going to sing two of the same spine-tingling pieces of music
0:02:50 > 0:02:55that Her Majesty would have heard during her Coronation 60 years ago,
0:02:55 > 0:02:57beginning with Hubert Parry's I Was Glad.
0:08:25 > 0:08:28The Queen is no stranger to Canterbury Cathedral.
0:08:28 > 0:08:31Her earliest recorded visit was with her parents
0:08:31 > 0:08:33as a young Princess Elizabeth in 1946.
0:08:37 > 0:08:40Cressida, thank you very much for letting us into the library here.
0:08:40 > 0:08:44You've got some wonderful memories of the Queen's earlier visits to Canterbury?
0:08:44 > 0:08:48Yes, indeed. Starting in 1946, which was her first visit to Canterbury.
0:08:48 > 0:08:53- What was that for?- That was for the service of thanksgiving
0:08:53 > 0:08:56for the preservation of the cathedral after World War II.
0:08:56 > 0:09:02In the cathedral itself, there is a painting commemorating the occasion as well.
0:09:02 > 0:09:07- Tell us about that.- It shows the royal party leaving the quire area.
0:09:07 > 0:09:10It's symbolic in a way, because you see, standing in the spotlight,
0:09:10 > 0:09:12if you like, are the King and Queen.
0:09:12 > 0:09:15And just behind them is the Princess Elizabeth.
0:09:15 > 0:09:18Yes, she's walking very much behind her parents.
0:09:18 > 0:09:22Just a few years later though, she was to become Queen herself.
0:09:22 > 0:09:27And to mark that occasion, the cathedral has its own window.
0:09:27 > 0:09:30Yes, we have a Coronation window which was unveiled in 1954
0:09:30 > 0:09:33which commemorates the Queen's Coronation,
0:09:33 > 0:09:37but also the Coronation of her father, King George VI.
0:09:41 > 0:09:47Why is it important for the cathedral here in Canterbury to have a royal connection?
0:09:47 > 0:09:50The Queen is the head of the Church of England
0:09:50 > 0:09:54and Canterbury Cathedral is the mother church of the Church of England.
0:09:54 > 0:09:58So it's very important that there is a strong connection with the monarch.
0:10:01 > 0:10:07The next major visit was the visit for the Royal Maundy in 1965.
0:10:10 > 0:10:12It is a very ancient tradition,
0:10:12 > 0:10:16but Queen Elizabeth has really made it her own.
0:10:16 > 0:10:20She has attached great importance to the Royal Maundy during her reign.
0:10:24 > 0:10:27The monarch travels throughout the country,
0:10:27 > 0:10:30very much making contact with the people.
0:10:30 > 0:10:34And she distributes the Maundy money which is an award.
0:10:34 > 0:10:37- And the next one at Canterbury was when?- In 2002.
0:10:39 > 0:10:42And you got a gift of your own that day, didn't you?
0:10:42 > 0:10:44Well, not quite a gift!
0:10:44 > 0:10:47At the end of the service, there was, on the table, left,
0:10:47 > 0:10:51one of the Maundy posies. It didn't appear to have an owner.
0:10:51 > 0:10:56I made a few enquiries and then it did seem entirely appropriate to take it home.
0:10:56 > 0:11:02There are a number of members of the party at Royal Maundy who hold nosegays,
0:11:02 > 0:11:04I'm not sure whose it was.
0:11:04 > 0:11:07- Not the Queen's? - Certainly not the Queen's!
0:11:08 > 0:11:13The Dean and Chapter intends to mark the recent Jubilee
0:11:13 > 0:11:17with two statues for the west front of the cathedral.
0:11:17 > 0:11:20So, a statue of the Queen and of Prince Philip.
0:11:20 > 0:11:23At which time, there will presumably be another service of dedication?
0:11:23 > 0:11:27- I'm very sure there will, yes. - And another royal visit?
0:11:27 > 0:11:30That, I think, is yet to be confirmed.
0:11:30 > 0:11:34- But it would be lovely to have them here?- It would. Very definitely.
0:13:49 > 0:13:53The Bishop of London is not only responsible for the Anglican churches in the capital city,
0:13:53 > 0:13:55but also the royal chapels.
0:13:57 > 0:13:59You'll know the royal family well
0:13:59 > 0:14:02from your work as Dean of the Chapels Royal.
0:14:02 > 0:14:04And, presumably,
0:14:04 > 0:14:08the Queen is someone who is of deep spiritual faith.
0:14:08 > 0:14:12I think that's become very publicly clear,
0:14:12 > 0:14:15hasn't it, from her Christmas broadcasts?
0:14:15 > 0:14:19Because they have been much more explicitly Christian,
0:14:19 > 0:14:24and she has always had a very firm and deep faith.
0:14:24 > 0:14:28I think that that actually corresponds
0:14:28 > 0:14:32with a very great turn in the tide.
0:14:32 > 0:14:35Because I remember...
0:14:35 > 0:14:38Actually it was a director-general of the BBC
0:14:38 > 0:14:42giving a lecture not so long ago, and saying that of course,
0:14:42 > 0:14:4425 years ago, 30 years ago,
0:14:44 > 0:14:47when the Queen was already 30 years on the throne,
0:14:47 > 0:14:52everybody was convinced that the story of God would have only one ending.
0:14:52 > 0:14:55And it would be relegation to the leisure sector.
0:14:55 > 0:15:00It would be the harmless hobby of fairly eccentric people.
0:15:00 > 0:15:02Well, nobody is saying that now.
0:15:02 > 0:15:09So, the Queen has united all these periods, and very appropriately,
0:15:09 > 0:15:13I think, for the present, for this contemporary age,
0:15:13 > 0:15:17she is being much more explicit about her own faith.
0:15:17 > 0:15:2260 years on, do you think, as a nation,
0:15:22 > 0:15:28we treasure the concept of that Coronation as much as we should?
0:15:28 > 0:15:32One of the most extraordinary things about monarchy in this country,
0:15:32 > 0:15:35again and again,
0:15:35 > 0:15:40the actual event is hugely uniting.
0:15:40 > 0:15:43I think that was true of the Coronation,
0:15:43 > 0:15:48although at that time, Britain was emerging from austerity.
0:15:48 > 0:15:52I remember, I think I still had my own ration card.
0:15:52 > 0:15:55In 1953, we still had ration cards then.
0:15:55 > 0:16:01And it had been a rather drab, austere world as we recovered.
0:16:01 > 0:16:03There were bomb sites everywhere in London.
0:16:03 > 0:16:07So, I think the Coronation had a particular role there.
0:16:10 > 0:16:15The reaction to the Queen when she goes on her visits
0:16:15 > 0:16:20has always been beyond what people might expect.
0:16:20 > 0:16:24And the number of people who talk about the lightest word,
0:16:24 > 0:16:27which is why, of course, the Queen has to be very careful.
0:16:27 > 0:16:32She knows very well. Because what she says is remembered for a lifetime.
0:16:32 > 0:16:35- It's a big responsibility. - It's a huge responsibility
0:16:35 > 0:16:43and, I think, unless you have gone through every day being engaged,
0:16:43 > 0:16:47being interested, reaching out to people who may be in awe,
0:16:47 > 0:16:53looks quite easy, but actually, it is an enormous responsibility.
0:16:53 > 0:16:56And one which, I think,
0:16:56 > 0:17:00if you're thinking about the PR profession, public relations.
0:17:00 > 0:17:06They're all experts on how you keep yourself in the public eye for about 10 years.
0:17:06 > 0:17:12Because after 10 years in the public eye, people are very tired of you.
0:17:12 > 0:17:17The Queen, seems to me, is perhaps the only expert
0:17:17 > 0:17:21on how you keep yourself in the public eye for more than 80 years,
0:17:21 > 0:17:23and people want more.
0:20:08 > 0:20:12The choir of Westminster Abbey played an important role in the Coronation service.
0:20:12 > 0:20:17Not from the usual choir stalls here, but up there,
0:20:17 > 0:20:21where they had a bird's-eye view of the unforgettable scene below.
0:20:24 > 0:20:29We were in a specially created sort of box, if you like.
0:20:29 > 0:20:32And we were on the front row. We always liked to be in the front row.
0:20:32 > 0:20:35So we had as good a view as was possible to have.
0:20:35 > 0:20:39Albeit, clearly, you had to crane towards your right to really see
0:20:39 > 0:20:42what was going on when Her Majesty was at the high altar,
0:20:42 > 0:20:44because that wasn't readily in our vision.
0:20:44 > 0:20:47And we also had to watch the beat from Dr McKie
0:20:47 > 0:20:49to make sure we were doing what we were supposed to do.
0:20:49 > 0:20:53But, at every opportunity, we were able to sort of lean around
0:20:53 > 0:20:55and check it out, which was great.
0:20:55 > 0:20:57And your memories in living colour.
0:20:57 > 0:21:01Most of us just remember this rather wide shot
0:21:01 > 0:21:04in grainy black-and-white, not great sound.
0:21:04 > 0:21:07But, you, of course, had a box seat.
0:21:07 > 0:21:10My overriding memory really is...
0:21:10 > 0:21:15It's perhaps a strange word to use, but it was the "glamour" of it.
0:21:15 > 0:21:19It was the most extraordinary feeling of...
0:21:19 > 0:21:22light and gold and ermine
0:21:22 > 0:21:26and purple and red and diamonds and what have you.
0:21:26 > 0:21:31An extraordinary feeling, a bit like a major Hollywood movie in a way.
0:21:31 > 0:21:35That was the overriding feeling that I got.
0:21:35 > 0:21:40And there were certain moments which were quite extraordinary.
0:21:40 > 0:21:44I remember when the actual crown was placed on Her Majesty's head,
0:21:44 > 0:21:50it seemed to be very, very slow before it actually got there.
0:21:50 > 0:21:55And the yell from the boys of Westminster School shouting, "Vivat, Vivat, Regina!"
0:21:55 > 0:21:58# Vivat, Regina Elizabetha!
0:21:58 > 0:22:00# Vivat! #
0:22:00 > 0:22:02I get goosebumps thinking about it.
0:22:02 > 0:22:04I mean, that is a huge thrill, when you realise
0:22:04 > 0:22:07that actually, you were in the presence of history.
0:22:07 > 0:22:09You must have been stuck up there for some time.
0:22:09 > 0:22:12I think it was about six hours.
0:22:12 > 0:22:16And part of the fun for us was for the first time,
0:22:16 > 0:22:20we were allowed to bring a packed lunch.
0:22:20 > 0:22:23Were you eating during the service?!
0:22:23 > 0:22:27Yes, absolutely. That was a no-go area, as you can imagine.
0:22:27 > 0:22:29That was not part of the discipline.
0:22:29 > 0:22:31So, to be able to do that legitimately,
0:22:31 > 0:22:33with permission, was great.
0:22:33 > 0:22:38I was personally very lucky because William McKie, Dr McKie,
0:22:38 > 0:22:42chose three boys to sing a solo in unison
0:22:42 > 0:22:46for a specially commissioned anthem called O Taste And See.
0:22:46 > 0:22:48It was a huge honour, of course.
0:22:48 > 0:22:52And I think Dr McKie hedged his bets because I think the event
0:22:52 > 0:22:55was so huge that he thought, if one of us got nervous,
0:22:55 > 0:22:58then at least the other two would come in.
0:22:58 > 0:22:59I was the boy who got nervous.
0:22:59 > 0:23:02SOLO CHOIR: "O Taste And See"
0:23:09 > 0:23:15- I did come in slightly later, but full throttle once I got there. - I'm sure nobody noticed!
0:23:15 > 0:23:18It was a magnificent ceremony all the way through,
0:23:18 > 0:23:21but some moments would have stood out more than others.
0:23:21 > 0:23:25For instance, when the Queen first entered the Abbey.
0:23:25 > 0:23:30I Was glad... I mean, one of the most fantastic, exhilarating,
0:23:30 > 0:23:34powerful pieces of music one would ever have the good fortune to sing.
0:23:34 > 0:23:37And I loved that. It was great.
0:23:37 > 0:23:43The last rehearsal, which I believe was when Her Majesty came.
0:23:43 > 0:23:45She was wearing the Imperial Crown
0:23:45 > 0:23:49and she processed from the Great West Door to the High Altar.
0:23:49 > 0:23:55And she did ask the Duke of Norfolk to ask Dr McKie, the master of the choristers,
0:23:55 > 0:24:00if we could sing a little quicker because the crown was heavy.
0:24:00 > 0:24:04- I think I didn't make that up. - Happy days?
0:24:04 > 0:24:06Very happy days indeed, yes.
0:24:06 > 0:24:08I feel a huge sense of pride.
0:24:08 > 0:24:11I'm a great royalist anyway
0:24:11 > 0:24:15and I feel that, having been given this opportunity
0:24:15 > 0:24:19and this God-given gift which I was given,
0:24:19 > 0:24:25to have been a part of this extraordinary ceremony is truly great.
0:24:30 > 0:24:33# The Lord's my shepherd
0:24:33 > 0:24:36# I'll not want
0:24:36 > 0:24:40# He makes me down to lie
0:24:40 > 0:24:43# In pastures green
0:24:43 > 0:24:45# He leadeth me
0:24:45 > 0:24:50# The quiet waters by
0:24:50 > 0:24:55# He leadeth me, He leadeth me
0:24:55 > 0:25:00# The quiet waters by
0:25:00 > 0:25:05# My soul He doth restore again
0:25:05 > 0:25:10# And me to walk doth make
0:25:10 > 0:25:16# Within the paths of blessedness
0:25:16 > 0:25:21# E'en for His own name's sake
0:25:21 > 0:25:26# Within the paths of blessedness
0:25:26 > 0:25:31# E'en for His own name's sake
0:25:31 > 0:25:37# Yea, though I pass thro' shadowed vale
0:25:37 > 0:25:42# Yet will I fear no ill
0:25:42 > 0:25:47# For Thou art with me, and Thy rod
0:25:47 > 0:25:52# And staff me comfort still
0:25:52 > 0:25:57# Thy rod and staff me comfort still
0:25:57 > 0:26:03# Me comfort still
0:26:03 > 0:26:08# Goodness and mercy all my days
0:26:08 > 0:26:13# Will surely follow me
0:26:13 > 0:26:18# And in my Father's heart always
0:26:18 > 0:26:24# My dwelling place shall be
0:26:24 > 0:26:30# And in my Father's heart always
0:26:30 > 0:26:38# My dwelling place shall be. #
0:26:43 > 0:26:46It's time now to hear another sublime piece of choral music
0:26:46 > 0:26:50based on the Old Testament words from the First Book Of Kings.
0:26:50 > 0:26:54It's been sung at every coronation since that of George II.
0:26:54 > 0:26:57And 60 years ago, Her Majesty would have heard this
0:26:57 > 0:27:00at the very moment she became sovereign.
0:27:00 > 0:27:03Our congregation are led by pupils from schools in Canterbury
0:27:03 > 0:27:08in Handel's glorious anthem, Zadok The Priest.
0:32:46 > 0:32:48God of time and eternity,
0:32:48 > 0:32:53we give you thanks and praise that you have blessed this nation
0:32:53 > 0:32:55with Elizabeth, our beloved Queen.
0:32:57 > 0:33:02Grant her your gifts of love and joy and peace.
0:33:02 > 0:33:08As she continues in faithful obedience, to you, her Lord and God,
0:33:08 > 0:33:13and in devoted service to her lands and peoples,
0:33:13 > 0:33:15and those of the Commonwealth.
0:33:15 > 0:33:20Now, and all the days of her life, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
0:33:20 > 0:33:22Amen.
0:33:26 > 0:33:30On Tuesday, the Queen will be back here at Westminster Abbey
0:33:30 > 0:33:33to attend a service to celebrate the 60th anniversary of her Coronation.
0:33:33 > 0:33:38And, of course, we send our very best wishes and congratulations to Her Majesty.
0:33:38 > 0:33:41Our final hymn perhaps sums up the Queen's lifetime
0:33:41 > 0:33:46of Christian faith and dedication - Great Is Thy Faithfulness.
0:37:08 > 0:37:11Next week, Pam Rhodes visits Leeds Central Library
0:37:11 > 0:37:13and introduces a treasury of hymns
0:37:13 > 0:37:16telling stories of every human experience and emotion,
0:37:16 > 0:37:19sung by congregations from all over the country.
0:37:21 > 0:37:24And there are performances from Willard White
0:37:24 > 0:37:26and Russell Watson.
0:37:30 > 0:37:34Before we go, I'm pleased to announce details of this year's Big Sing
0:37:34 > 0:37:36at The Royal Albert Hall on Sunday, September 8th.
0:37:36 > 0:37:40And as we're going to be singing the UK's top 10 hymns and carols,
0:37:40 > 0:37:42it's going to be a pretty special occasion.
0:37:42 > 0:37:45Here is the phone number for you to purchase tickets.
0:37:46 > 0:37:49The only number to call is...
0:37:57 > 0:37:59Calls cost up to 5p a minute from most landlines
0:37:59 > 0:38:02and an additional connection fee may also apply.
0:38:02 > 0:38:05Calls from mobiles may cost considerably more.
0:38:05 > 0:38:07You'll find the telephone number and more information
0:38:07 > 0:38:10on the Songs Of Praise website...
0:38:16 > 0:38:19The Big Sing is always popular, so you'll have to be quick.
0:38:19 > 0:38:21If you're going to be there, I look forward to seeing you.
0:38:21 > 0:38:23If you can't make it,
0:38:23 > 0:38:26you'll have a front-row seat by staying just where you are.
0:38:37 > 0:38:41Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd