Queen Elizabeth II, in a speech to mark her Diamond Jubilee—her 60th year as monarch of the U.K.—vowed that she will continue to serve the U.K.
The queen delivered her speech to both Houses of Parliament on Tuesday and paid tribute to them, to British armed forces, the Commonwealth, and her longtime husband, Prince Philip, for his “constant strength and guide.”
Several hundred lawmakers, delegates, and former officials gathered to hear her speech.
“The happy relationship I have enjoyed with Parliament has extended well beyond the more than three and a half thousand Bills I have signed into law,” she said, according to a transcript.
“We are reminded here of our past,” she said. “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 noted that she is one of the two British monarchs to celebrate a Diamond Jubilee, the other being Queen Victoria.
