Sir David Attenborough and Paddington creator Michael Bond at the Queen’s Thanksgiving Service in St Paul’s Cathedral

Sir David will read a reflection on the passing of the years written by Michael Bond. 

The Reverend Canon Michael Hampel, St Paul’s Precentor, who is responsible for the service, describes the piece: 

‘Michael Bond speaks of the trials and tribulations of growing up in those years in a wonderfully humorous manner – but then he looks back seriously at it all, and quotes the famous words by poet Louise Haskins spoken by the Queen’s father King George VI in his 1939 Christmas broadcast just after the country had gone to war.’

Their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall will join The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh and other members of the Royal family for the National Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral on 10 June. Politicians past and present, including Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, diplomats and governors general will also be among the congregation.

Prime Minister David Cameron will read from the New Testament and the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd and Rt Hon Justin Welby, will preach the sermon.

BBC1 will broadcast the service live.

St Paul’s commissioned the anthem ‘I love all beauteous things’ from Master of the Queen’s Music Judith Weir. 

2014 BBC Young Musician Martin James Bartlett will perform ‘Burlesque’ by Arnold Bax – George VI’s last Master of the King’s Music and the Queen’s first Master of the Queen’s Music.

Organ music before the 11am service includes ‘Flourish for an occasion’ by William Harris, who taught the Queen to play the piano.

Five people representing aspects of the Queen’s life and role – and a sixth person born on the same day as the Queen – will read special prayers written by Sacrist of St Paul’s the Reverend James Milne.  More details about these and other readings, music and those taking part will be released soon.