Attenborough to pay tribute to the Queen
SIR DAVID ATTENBOROUGH, Britain’s second-most famous 90-year-old, will be among stars paying tribute to the Queen at a Service of Thanksgiving on Friday that will begin a weekend of celebrations for her official birthday.
The naturalist will read an address written by the Paddington Bear author Michael Bond, who is also 90, reflecting on the past nine decades.
It will be one of a series of “birthday gifts” for the Queen in a highly personal service at St Paul’s Cathedral attended by virtually every member of the Royal family.
Other tailor-made touches include an anthem written for the occasion by Judith Weir, Master of the Queen’s Music, which has been set to a poem by Robert Bridges, who was poet laureate in the year the Queen was born, and a piece of music by Arnold Bax, who was the Queen’s first Master of Music.
Clare Balding, the broadcaster, will be among those leading the prayers, to represent the Queen’s love of racing.
The prayers will include a reference to the fact that the service will be held on the Duke of Edinburgh’s 95th birthday, with the words: “Bless Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, that this birthday may be a day of joy.”