A speech by HRH The Prince of Wales paying tribute to Her Majesty The Queen on her Diamond Jubilee, Buckingham Palace

Your Majesty, Mummy,

I'm sure you would want me to thank, on your behalf, all of the wonderful people who have made tonight possible. All the performers, the artists, the musicians, the comedians - who made such jolly good jokes. Gary Barlow for helping to make the whole thing possible. And above all, all those remarkable technicians, all 600 of them, behind the scenes, without which nothing could happen.

And if I may say so Your Majesty, thank god the weather turned out. And the reason of course is because I didn't do the forecast. Your Majesty, millions, we are told, dream of having tea with you. Quite a lot of people have very nearly had a picnic dinner with you in the garden.

The only sad thing about this evening is that my Father couldn't be here with us because unfortunately he is taken unwell. But ladies and gentlemen if we shout loud enough, he might just hear us in hospital.

Your Majesty, a Diamond Jubilee is a unique and special event. Some of us have had the joy of celebrating three Jubilees with you, and I have the medals to prove it. And we are now celebrating the life and service of a very special person, over the last 60 years.

I was three when my Grandfather, King George VI, died. And suddenly, unexpectedly, your and my father's lives were irrevocably changed, when you were only 26. So as a nation this is our opportunity to thank you and my Father for always being there for us. For inspiring us with your

selfless duty and service, and for making us proud to be British.

Proud, at a time when I know how many of our fellow countrymen are suffering such hardship and difficulty.

Proud, to be lining the banks of the Thames in their millions, despite the rain and the cold.

Proud to be part of something as unique as the Commonwealth, which, through your leadership, has given us that essential sense of unity through diversity.

So, Your Majesty we offer you our humble duty, and with it, three resounding cheers for Her Majesty The Queen.