Britain's Queen Elizabeth thanked ordinary members of the public for the contribution they make to community life at a Diamond Jubilee garden party.
The 86-year-old monarch - who is celebrating 60 years on the throne this year - attended the event at royal residence Sandringham yesterday (12.06.12), where she mingled with the 3,500 guests and paid tribute to the work they do.
One attendee Joy Bradshaw, 80 - who was invited in recognition of her 23 years volunteering for Meals on Wheels - said: "I cared for my parents for 20 years and decided to volunteer after that. It was enormously rewarding because sometimes I was the only person who ever visited some people. I was so surprised to be invited here today and it is a wonderful honour."
The event was the first garden party to be held at Sandringham since a similar event to mark the queen's Golden Jubilee in 2002 and it was organised to pay tribute to people from Norfolk and Suffolk for their contribution to the life and welfare of their communities.
The queen was due to be accompanied by her husband, Prince Philip, but he couldn't attend as he is still recovering from the bladder infection which saw him hospitalised for five days during the Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
Instead, son Prince Andrew was by her aide.
However, Philip, 91, was not forgotten as Richard Jewson, Lord Lieutenant of Norfolk, referred to him as the day ended
He said: "It is very sad that His Royal Highness is unable to be here personally. Please give him our warmest wishes."
