Queen thanks Parliament Members

The Queen has paid tribute to members of the Houses of Parliament, for "guiding this kingdom through changing times over the last 50 years". In delivering a personally-written speech to mark her 50th anniversary on the throne, she spoke of enduring British values of "moderation, tolerance and service".

She added: "I would like to thank people everywhere for the loyalty, support, and inspiration you have given me over these 50, unforgettable years. "I would like to express my pride in our past and my confidence in our future." It is only the fifth time during her reign that the monarch has made such an address. She addressed MPs and peers gathered inside Westminster Hall, where her mother laid in state earlier this month. Commons Speaker Michael Martin and Lord Chancellor Lord Irvine proposed humble addresses praising the Queen at the gathering. Lord Irvine said she had "remained constant in our affections" over the past 50 years.

The last time the Queen addressed the joint Houses of Parliament was in 1995 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. In 1988, she made an address marking the 300th anniversary of the Glorious Revolution and, in 1965, to commemorate the 700th anniversary of the Parliament of Simon de Montfort. MPs and peers are well used to listening to the Queen during the state opening of Parliament. On those occasions, she outlines the plans of the government of the day. Tuesday's speech, however, has been written personally by the Queen and Palace officials. It comes on the eve of the start in Cornwall of the Queen's nationwide 15-week Jubilee tour during which the 76-year-old monarch will visit every region of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

It also follows another historic occasion on Monday night when she and all five of her living prime ministers shared dinner at Downing Street. As well as the Queen and Prince Philip, Margaret Thatcher, James Callaghan, John Major and Edward Heath were all at Number 10 for the event. They were joined by relatives of past premiers, including Sir Winston Churchill's daughter, Lady Soames and the Countess of Avon who is Anthony Eden's daughter. Descendants of Harold Macmillan and Sir Alec Douglas-Home, as well as Mary Wilson, widow of Labour Prime Minister Harold Wilson were also there. The party dined on a menu including duck breast and turbot steak, all prepared by celebrity seafood chef Rick Stein.