Smiling Queen awarded Canterbury Cross by archbishop for 'unstinting' service to church

21 June 2022, 22:01

The Archbishop of Canterbury presented the Queen with a special Canterbury Cross
The Archbishop of Canterbury presented the Queen with a special Canterbury Cross . Picture: Getty

By Megan Hinton

The queen was pictured without her walking stick today as the Archbishop of Canterbury presented her with a special Canterbury Cross for her "unstinting service" to the Church of England over the last 70 years.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

The 96-year-old head of state held a face-to-face audience with the Archbishop of Canterbury at Windsor Castle on Tuesday afternoon after he missed the Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral as part of the Platinum Jubilee weekend due to Covid.

The Most Reverend Justin Welby gave the Queen the small silver cross, inspired by a 9th century Saxon brooch and incorporating a triquetra pattern, as a "heartfelt symbol" of the church's "love, loyalty and affection".

It was a tribute to her outstanding service to the Church of England, and in honour of her Platinum Jubilee.

Her Majesty, who has recently struggled with mobility issues, was pictured smiling without the aid of a walking stick on Tuesday afternoon.

Presented in a vivid red box and attached to a blue ribbon, the cross was specially crafted for its royal recipient with platinum inserts in recognition of her milestone 70 years on the throne.

The Queen, who has a deep Christian faith, is Supreme Governor of the Church of England and Defender of the Faith.

Read more: Queen and Charles lead tributes to William on 40th birthday

In the citation for the cross, which was also given to the Queen as a framed piece of calligraphy, the archbishop praised the monarch and hailed "her care for the unity of her people and the welfare of the least fortunate" as a "constant inspiration to the whole church".

The Queen's life was "an example of a Christian life well led," he said.

The citation read: "Throughout her reign, Her Majesty has duly upheld both the Christian religion and the Church of England in her roles as Defender of the Faith and Supreme Governor of the Church of England.

"Whether in the formality of opening sessions of General Synod or the more intimate context of her personal addresses to the nation and Commonwealth at Christmas, Her Majesty has made manifest her own deep faith and its relevance to all that she undertakes.

"Her subtle understanding of the changing position of the Established Church in England has sustained and encouraged laity and clergy alike.

"Her care for the unity of her people and the welfare of the least fortunate have been a constant inspiration to the whole Church. Hers is an example of the Christian life well led.

Read more: William's blueprint for his monarchy: Prince 'plans to ban Andrew' and increase activism

Samantha Markle: Platinum Jubilee feels "bittersweet"

"This presentation of the Canterbury Cross is a heartfelt symbol of the love, loyalty and affection in which the Church of England holds Her Majesty and it represents the recognition and gratitude of her whole Church for her seventy years of unstinting service. God Save The Queen!"

The Canterbury Cross is presented each year as part of the annual Lambeth Awards to a small number of recipients who have shown outstanding service to the church.

The cross's design is inspired by a Saxon brooch which was found in Canterbury in 1867 and dates from around 850AD. It incorporates the motif of a triquetra pattern: a three-cornered knot, symbolising the Christian Trinity, on each of its four curved arms.

The tips of the arms suggest arcs of a single circle, giving the overall effect of a round wheel.

The calligraphic citation was produced by Margot Riordan-Eva, Lambeth Palace's calligrapher, who was taught calligraphy by Benedictine nuns at school.

The Queen, who is facing ongoing mobility issues, had a busy start to June as the nation celebrated her jubilee during a four-day weekend of festivities.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Cynthia Erivo

Cynthia Erivo said feeling like an outsider and 'not fitting in' drew her to role of Elphaba in new Wicked film

Robert F Kennedy Jr

Donald Trump picks anti-vaccine activist Robert F Kennedy Jr to lead Department of Health

France and Israel fans clash with police in Paris despite ramped up police presence following Amsterdam unrest

France and Israel fans clash amid ramped up police presence in Paris for UEFA Nations League game

c

'I hope I live to see the day': Ex-political prisoner Vladimir Kara-Murza shares wish to see Putin on trial for war crimes

M5 Motorway, Bristol, UK. 4th July, 2022. A rolling roadblock has been formed to protest the cost of fuel. Protestors have set off from Bridgewater and are holding up traffic by driving slowly along the M5 Motorway. Credit: JMF News/Alamy Live News

Teenager hit and killed in horror M5 collision after fleeing police car named

Exclusive
Putin critic Vladimir Kara-Murza recalls 'longest day of his life' after historic prisoner swap between Russia and West

Putin critic Vladimir Kara-Murza recalls 'longest day of his life' after historic prisoner swap between Russia and West

Mohamed Al Fayed's brother Salah accused of sexual assault and trafficking by former Harrods employees

Mohamed Al Fayed's brother Salah accused of sexual assault and trafficking by former Harrods employees

Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson

Man who turned up outside Parliament in armour carrying samurai swords wanted to 'speak with Boris Johnson'

Basem Naim, a Hamas leader

Hamas prepared for 'immediate' ceasefire in Gaza but claims Israel has not offered any 'serious proposals' in months

London, UK. 9 October 2023. Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves speaking during the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool. Photo credit should read: Matt Crossick/Empics/Alamy Live News

Rachel Reeves to 'rip up financial red tape' with pension 'mega funds' freeing up £80 billion for investment

Labour divided over assisted dying as MP who introduced bill hits out at Health Secretary

Labour divided over assisted dying bill as MP tabling legislation labels Wes Streeting's objections 'disappointing'

Reverend Sue Colman was asked to step back after the Makin Report found her and her husband Jason knew about John Smyth's abuse and failed to act

Mustard heir and Church of England minister wife step back from church roles after damning abuse report

File photo of Broadway Market, where the attack took place

Horror as 'man doused in bleach' in busy Hackney market with manhunt underway and attacker still at loose

Former Met Police officer David Carrick pleads not guilty to string of sex attacks including indecent assault against teen

Former Met Police officer David Carrick pleads not guilty to sex attacks including indecent assault against teen

Jack Bradley took part in the failed ram raid

Moment drug addict in 4x4 rams Tesco superstore in failed bid to steal safe, with terrified staff still inside shop

ZM712, a Boeing Apache AH2 operated by the UK's Army Air Corps, departing from RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, England after participating in the Royal International Air Tattoo 2024 (RIAT24).

Drunken soldiers caught during Apache cockpit romp spark military safety review