The Queen yesterday expressed "gratitude, respect and pride" as one million people again turned out in the capital to crown her glittering Golden Jubilee.

During a day of pomp, splendour, pageantry and carnival, jubilee revellers filled the Mall, outside Buckingham Palace, in scenes matching the Silver Jubilee 25 years ago.

Forty-seven members of the Royal Family, one of the biggest royal gatherings in recent times, took part in the national party.

Prime Minister Tony Blair paid tribute to the Queen and spoke of the huge public affection for her.

Archbishop of Canterbury Dr George Carey said the relationship between the Queen and her people grew stronger and deeper with the passage of time.

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh rode in the magnificent Gold State Coach from Buckingham Palace to St Paul's Cathedral for a thanksgiving service.

Later they watched as six colourful parades filled the Mall outside Buckingham Palace.

An unprecedented low-level flypast by 27 aircraft - RAF jets with the Red Arrows and Concorde in formation - signalled the climax of the final day of the Jubilee Bank Holiday weekend with the Royal Family on the palace balcony.

As the one million-strong crowd sang Land of Hope and Glory and the National Anthem, the Queen and the duke made repeated appearances to acknowledge them.

The Mall was a sea of Union flags and people having fun on an historic day.

It was the finale to four days of national celebrations which saw two concerts in the palace grounds, a spectacular firework display and son-et-lumiere show, a worldwide chain of beacons, thousands of street parties nationwide, royal ceremonial and an outpouring of public support which exceeded all expectations.

Earlier, in a speech at Guildhall in the City of London, the Queen spoke movingly of her family's love.

And she sent heartfelt thanks to the millions of people, up and down the country and throughout the Commonwealth, who joined in the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of her accession.

She praised her family, hailing the work of her son the Prince of Wales and the support of her husband, the duke.

The Lord Mayor said he stood in awe of the Queen's "50 years of unremitting and devoted service". Calling for three cheers for the Queen, he said: "We your loyal subjects hope that the year ahead will be an annus magnificus."

Mr Blair praised her commitment to the service of others: "It is not only the quantity of your reign we are celebrating today, it is the quality."

He said that one lady at a jubilee celebration in Trimdon, County Durham - in the heart of his Sedgefield parliamentary constituency - had told him: "We don't just respect her, we love her."

Earlier, during a service of thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral, the Queen was told that her relationship with her people was gaining strength all the time.

The Archbishop of Canterbury said the weekend celebrations of 50 years on the throne showed that "unlike so much in the modern world, this relationship, the one between sovereign and people, has grown stronger and deeper with the passage of time".

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The procession to St Paul's was led by senior royals in three open, horse-drawn carriages. The first carried the Duke of York, Princes William and Harry and Princess Beatrice.

The second coach carried the Earl and Countess of Wessex and Princess Eugenie. The third coach carried Commodore Timothy Laurence and Zara and Peter Phillips.

The Prince of Wales and the Princess Royal - in uniform - rode on horseback with the procession.

But the centrepiece was the Gold State Coach, built in 1762 and last used by the Queen during her Silver Jubilee celebrations in 1977. She first used it on the day of her Coronation in 1953.

Thousands of cheering spectators lined The Mall. Many had braved the cold and rain overnight to ensure they got the best possible view.

Some camped in tents, while others perched on camping stools, wrapped in blankets and polythene.

They were not disappointed as the magnificent procession passed along to the sound of an orchestra and choir playing rousing music.

Later, as a series of colourful parades began in The Mall, revellers were given an extra treat when the younger Royals, including Prince William, 19, and his 17-year-old brother Prince Harry, went on a walkabout, shaking hands and chatting with well-wishers