Smiling Queen arrives at St Paul's Cathedral for an OBE service with the Duke of Edinburgh as armed police line the streets amid tighter security
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4537200/Smiling-Queen-arrives-St-Paul-s-Cathedral.html
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip attend a service to mark the Centenary of the Order of the British Empire
Dozens of armed police lined the streets as The Queen arrived at St Paul's Cathedral this morning with her husband the Duke of Edinburgh.
The pair led worshippers at a special service of dedication and thanks for the Order of the British Empire ahead of its centenary next month.
Crowds were kept behind metal fences and watched by officers with machine guns in a beefed up security operation after the suicide bombing in Manchester on Monday.
The smiling Queen donned a mint green overcoat and matching hat combined with a floral dress.
Among those seated in the pews of St Paul's Cathedral were almost 2,000 holders of the Order of the British Empire's awards, from Knights and Dames to those who have received a CBE, OBE or MBE.
Those invited included former BBC weatherman Michael Fish MBE, broadcaster Dame Esther Rantzen and cartoonist Gerald Scarfe CBE.
The Very Reverend Dr David Ison, Dean of St Paul's Cathedral, told the congregation in his bidding: 'And we commend today to God's love those who suffer at the hands of others in Manchester and elsewhere.'
In his sermon the Dean told those gathered: 'Thousands of award holders quietly go enriching our civic life and serving those in need, building the kingdom of God in love and care for others; and their awards often recognise, not only their individual efforts, but also the service of many others alongside them.'
King George V established the Order in 1917 to reward outstanding contributions to the First World War effort and today it recognises the work of people from all walks of life.
The Queen is the sovereign of the Order of the British Empire and the Duke of Edinburgh is its Grand Master.
Highlighting some of the good causes and areas of endeavour that have been recognised by the Order the Dean went on to say: 'Hedgehog conservation, chocolate making, sport and health, industry and the arts, charity and volunteering - we celebrate an amazing hundred years of honourable service, thanking God who gives us life, that we might use it wisely and well in loving God and our neighbour'.