The absence of the queen was felt, however, by outsiders.
Claire Evans, a retired Cambridge language teacher, had attended all the events of the jubilee since 1977. Not seeing the monarch this time left her heartbroken.
“It’s very disappointing,” the 64-year-old said on Friday, standing in the middle of the crowd gathered at the barriers from early in the morning. “Obviously she had a hard time walking when she lit the beacons last night. I really feel very worried about her.”
“I love the royal family and the queen in particular. She represents values that are enduring and she has never strayed from them. I don’t know what she will be like when she leaves,” said Evans, 64. “.
As the royal feast arose at the end of the service, a spontaneous chorus of God Save the Queen was followed by cheers.
It was attended by representatives of the kingdoms and nations of the Commonwealth, along with leaders of other major denominations.
The service included the first performance of By Wisdom, a new hymn composed by Judith Weir, master of The Queen’s Music, which set to music words from the third chapter of the Book of Proverbs.
The Prince of Wales told members of the clergy that the service had been “wonderful” as he later thanked them for their efforts. The Duchess of Cambridge told staff that the cathedral looked “beautiful”.
The jubilee celebrations will continue on Saturday, with a pop concert outside Buckingham Palace featuring artists such as Queen, Diana Ross, Duran Duran, Alicia Keys and Andrea Bocelli and a speech by the Prince of Wales.