Mark, who was invited in his capacity as the Vice Chamberlain of Her Majesty’s Household, joined Prime Minister David Cameron, other members of the Cabinet and of the Royal Household at the Service of Thanksgiving, at which the Queen and members of the Royal Family were present and the sermon was provided by Doctor Rowan Williams, The Archbishop of Canterbury.
Mark attended the service as one of a number of events in which he participated to help commemorate the Diamond Jubilee, including being present to view the Jubilee Pageant on the Thames and celebrations back in the constituency, such as attending the Diamond Jubilee party organised by the Hullbridge Community Association. Mark also lit the the Diamond Jubilee Beacon in Wickford Memorial Park, which was organised by the Wickford Royal British Legion and in which Mark was assisted by Councillor Tony Ball, the Leader of Basildon Borough Council.
Commenting on the Diamond Jubilee and his role in helping to commemorate it, Mark Francois said:
“It was a real privilege to be present at the National Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s to pay tribute to Her Majesty the Queen and the 60 years of unstinting service that she has given to our country and its people. I think the Royal Family are genuinely very popular in this country and this was more than evident as people overcame the wet weather in order to pay their own tributes to Queen Elizabeth. I know that my constituents in Rayleigh and Wickford MP are a patriotic lot and they seemed to join in the celebrations with gusto. We have been very lucky to have Elizabeth the Second as our Queen and long may she reign.”