Therefore I am sure that this, my Coronation, is not the symbol of a power and a splendour that are gone but a declaration of our hopes for the future, and for the years I may, by God's Grace and Mercy, be given to reign and serve you as your Queen.

In remembering the appalling suffering of war on both sides, we recognise how precious is the peace we have built in Europe since 1945.

Cowards falter, but danger is often overcome by those who nobly dare.

It is as queen of Canada that I am here. Queen of Canada and all Canadians, not just one or two ancestral strains.

Grief is the price we pay for love.

The events that I have attended to mark my Diamond Jubilee have been a humbling experience. It has touched me deeply to see so many thousands of families, neighbors and friends celebrating together in such a happy atmosphere.

We all need to get the balance right between action and reflection. With so many distractions, it is easy to forget to pause and take stock.