The Queen celebrated her Diamond Jubilee today by paying tribute to the British virtues of 'resilience, ingenuity and tolerance', and to the Duke

of Edinburgh, her 'constant strength and guide' over the decades.

In a landmark address to both Houses of Parliament the monarch repeated her vow made on Accession Day in February to 'rededicate myself to the service of our great country'.

In the ancient Westminster Hall the monarch stood to give her address, telling MPs and peers that since she came to the throne she has been a regular visitor to the Palace of Westminster.

She added: 'During these years as your Queen, the support of my family has, across the generations, been beyond measure.

'Prince Philip is, I believe, well-known for declining compliments of any kind. But throughout he has been a constant strength and guide.'

This was the monarch's sixth address to both Houses of Parliament. She gave similar speeches in celebration of her Golden Jubilee in 2002 and Silver Jubilee 25 years earlier in 1977.

The Queen has begun her national tour to mark her 60-year reign and said she hoped the Diamond Jubilee celebrations would 'be an opportunity for people to come together in a spirit of neighbourliness and celebration of their own communities'.

The work of millions in the professional and voluntary services, whose efforts were for the pubic good, would also be recognised this year as would the 'remarkable sacrifice and courage of our armed forces'.

This was the monarch's sixth address to both Houses of Parliament. She gave similar speeches in celebration of her Golden Jubilee in 2002 and Silver Jubilee 25 years earlier in 1977.

The Queen has begun her national tour to mark her 60-year reign and said she hoped the Diamond Jubilee celebrations would 'be an opportunity for people to come together in a spirit of neighbourliness and celebration of their own communities'.

The work of millions in the professional and voluntary services, whose efforts were for the pubic good, would also be recognised this year as would the 'remarkable sacrifice and courage of our armed forces'.

She said: 'Much may have indeed have changed these past 60 years but the valour of those who risk their lives for the defence and freedom of us all remains undimmed.'

Members of the Royal Family have begun touring the Queen's realms to mark her Diamond Jubilee, with Prince Harry recently returning from a trip to Belize, the Bahamas and Jamaica.

The Queen added: 'These overseas tours are a reminder of our close affinity with the Commonwealth, encompassing about one-third of the world's population.

'My own association with the Commonwealth has taught me that the most important contact between nations is usually contact between its peoples.

'An organisation dedicated to certain values, the Commonwealth has flourished and grown by successfully promoting and protecting that contact.'

Among the guests was Prime Minister David Cameron, some members of his Cabinet, former premiers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown and Labour leader Ed Miliband.

The monarch reflected on the ancient setting for her address: 'We are reminded here of our past, of the continuity of our national story and the virtues of resilience, ingenuity and tolerance which created it.

'I have been privileged to witness some of that history and, with the support of my family, rededicate myself to the service of our great country and its people now and in the years to come.'

The Queen also reflected on following in the footsteps of the only other monarch to celebrate a Diamond Jubilee, Queen Victoria in 1897.

She said: 'So, in an era when the regular, worthy rhythm of life is less eye-catching than doing something extraordinary, I am reassured that I am merely the second sovereign to celebrate a Diamond Jubilee.'

During the event a Diamond Jubilee window - a gift from the members of both Houses - was unveiled to mark the monarch's 60-year reign.

It will be installed above the North Door of Westminster Hall later this year.

Also in the audience were the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, who has just announced plans to retire, along with some of the clerics tipped as his successor, including Archbishop of York John Sentamu and Bishop of London Richard Chartres.

The parliamentary maces were carried in procession into Westminster Hall, followed by the Yeomen of the Guard in ceremonial uniform.

Her limousine earlier swept through the Carriage Gates at the Palace of Westminster and pulled up on the cobbles outside the north door of Westminster Hall as Big Ben struck 11.

She stepped from the state Bentley and was greeted by the Lord Great Chamberlain, Marquess Cholmondeley, before walking the few steps into the hall, where MPs and peers stood for her arrival.

She was accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, Lady in Waiting Countess of Airlie and Equerry in Waiting Colonel Dan Rex.

The Queen was wearing a pale buttercup-yellow dress with flower motifs in shades of olive, lavender and pale burgundy by Karl Ludwig. Her coat was also in buttercup, with wool crepe and she wore a matching hat by Angela Kelly.

About 200 MPs' researchers and other parliamentary staff had gathered in New Palace Yard to watch the Queen's arrival, while a helicopter hovered overhead.

Tory MP Patrick Mercer was not in Westminster Hall for the addresses - the former Army officer cycled from the precincts on a yellow mountain bike four minutes before the royal party's arrival.

The Queen's visit to Westminster Hall began with Lord Speaker, Baroness D'Souza, presenting the address from the House of Lords and House of Commons Speaker, John Bercow, making a similar speech from the Commons.

The event is part of the traditional dialogue between the monarch and Parliament where Houses, either individually or together, present 'a humble address' and the Sovereign replies.

Today's ceremony has special significance as each House will assemble as a whole to present its address.

After the speeches were read, the Diamond Jubilee Window - a gift from the members of both Houses - will be unveiled to mark the monarch's 60-year reign and the Queen will reply to the addresses.

The window will be in a display case and will be installed above the North Door of Westminster Hall later this year.

In her 2002 address, the Queen spoke about '50 unforgettable years' on the throne, telling MPs and peers: 'I would like above all to declare my resolve to continue, with the support of my family, to serve the people of this great nation of ours to the best of my ability through the changing times ahead.'

The monarch's speech to both houses to mark her 1977 silver jubilee reflected on the historic events of the first 25 years of her reign, which had seen the final break-up of the British Empire.

She said: 'No longer an imperial power, we have been coming to terms with what this means for ourselves and for our relations with the rest of the world.'

Source;dailymail.co.uk