London ? Huge flag-waving crowds cheered Queen Elizabeth II on Tuesday in a display of loyalty and affection as Britain celebrated the 50th anniversary of her reign with regal processions and an exuberant international carnival.

In four days of Golden Jubilee festivities that drew throngs up to a million strong to the streets surrounding Buckingham Palace, the 76-year-old queen appeared to have strengthened a bond with the British people that has withstood some of the most turbulent years in the history of the modern monarchy.

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II rides along The Mall in London in an open-top vehicle as she returns from a banquet at Guildhall. After the banquet she watched a Golden Jubilee parade in her honor outside Buckingham Palace.

Returning the warmth she has received, the queen said Tuesday that she was overwhelmed by the enthusiastic response and felt “gratitude, respect and pride” in the people of Britain and the Commonwealth.

Tuesday morning, the streets of central London resounded with cheers as the queen and Prince Philip rode in a splendid golden coach to a service of thanksgiving at St. Paul’s Cathedral.

More than 700,000 people, waving flags and roaring their support, lined the procession route from Buckingham Palace as the royal pair passed by in the Gold State Coach drawn by eight white horses and escorted by scores of scarlet-clad cavalrymen.

On behalf of the American people, President Bush and his wife, Laura, congratulated the queen.

“The United States has no closer ally than Great Britain. Our nations share an exceptionally close relationship based on innumerable personal and business ties among our people, a common culture, language and civilization, and a political and military alliance that is successfully facing common threats,” White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer said on the Bushs’ behalf.

Life’s recognition

Tuesday began with a recognition of the fact that the queen, who acceded to the throne at age 25, has spent most of her adult life as Britain’s head of state and intends to remain so for the rest of her years.

“Yours was a vocation which you did not seek; it was a task to which you were anointed,” Archbishop of Canterbury George Carey said during the St. Paul’s service. “It came to you at an age when few people are ready to assume burdens of responsibility, even far lighter ones.”

The royal couple went afterward to the medieval Guildhall for a luncheon, where the queen said she had been “overwhelmed” and “deeply moved” by the public response to her Golden Jubilee.

She also made a rare personal statement about her family, in obvious response to comments that her children’s divorces mean that she and Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, must have been distant parents.

“I take this opportunity to mention the strength I draw from my own family,” the queen said in the broadcast speech. “The Duke of Edinburgh has made an invaluable contribution to my life over these past 50 years. We both of us have a special place in our hearts for our children.”

She singled out Prince Charles, saying, “I want to express my admiration for the Prince of Wales and for all he has achieved for this country.

“Our children, and all my family, have given me such love and unstinting help over the years, and especially in recent months,” she said, referring to the deaths of both her mother and sister since February.

Commonwealth tribute

After the formal luncheon, the royals threw off their solemnity and headed back to the palace for a lighthearted parade of Commonwealth displays, music, dancing and rather comic floats depicting 50 years of cultural history from old cars and TV shows to dances and fashion.

After the parade, a river of flag-waving humanity flowed down the Mall toward the palace while the royal family went to their viewing balcony to receive a deafening cheer and watch a 27-plane flyover including from a Globemaster transport and the supersonic Concorde, escorted by eight Red Arrow aerobatic jet fighters.

As the last jets moved away and the family went inside, an ecstatic crowd burst into “Land of Hope and Glory,” the country’s favorite patriotic sing-along, followed by chants of “We Want the Queen!”

The queen and Prince Philip, clearly moved, returned to the balcony, followed by their family for another chorus of song.