The Queen's dedication to all the people of Britain and her reliance on Christian principles were at the heart of the service of thanksgiving for Her Majesty's Golden Jubilee, in Winchester Cathedral on Sunday.

The Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire, Mrs Mary Fagan, set the keynote for the service when she quoted from the Queen's Christmas broadcast in 2000: "For me, the teachings of Christ and my personal accountability before God provide a framework in which I try to lead my life. I, like so many of you, have drawn great comfort in difficult times from Christ's words and example. I believe that the Christian message remains profoundly important to us all."

The Cathedral was packed for the service, with hundreds of extra seats to accommodate invited guests and visitors.

Princess Alexandra represented the Queen.

The Dean, the Very Revd Michael Till, in his welcome, led the congregation's prayers for the Queen, the people of the nation and county "and to commit ourselves to follow her example of devotion and service to others; that the life of our communities may be renewed and God's purpose of justice, righteousness and peace advanced in this land and in the wider world."

Later, the congregation joined in an act of dedication inspired by the-then Princess Elizabeth's broadcast from South Africa in 1947, in which she said: "I declare before you that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great Imperial Commonwealth, to which we all belong."

The sermon was given by the Bishop of Winchester, the Rt Revd Michael Scott-Joynt.

He elaborated on the theme in the second reading, by Cadet W01 (RSM) Michael Holden, of St Paul to the Ephesians: "Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armour of God."

The Bishop said: "At the heart of the Queen's consistent dedication, has been her Christian practice, according to her family upbringing. And she has increasingly made explicit reference to her faith in recent years. In an age when many families know family breakdown and stress as well as bereavement, she has encouraged us through the quality of her own perseverance through difficult times."

Kenneth Kaunda, former Zambia president, had spoken of the Queen's critically important contribution to the Commonwealth, the Bishop went on, adding: "She has appreciated and valued the multi-ethnic and multi-faith character of this world today, one of the most significant developments through which she has reigned. She has recognised more clearly than ever that ours is, more than ever, one world."

Music for the service had a joyous, uplifting character.

Hampshire County Youth Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Nicholas Wilks, played Handel's Music for the Royal Fireworks. David Hill, director of music, conducted the Cathedral Choir and the organ was played by Philip Scriven, assistant director of music.

The director, shortly before the service started, humorously rehearsed the congregation in a response, Vivat Regina Elizabetha! A faint, first effort by the congregation, gently chided, ensured a full-blooded response during the actual service.

As the handsome brochure for the service informed, most of the music had a royal connection. Handel's Zadok the Priest was composed for the coronation of King George 11 in 1727. His Music for the Royal Fireworks was first performed in Green Park, London, in 1749, to celebrate the Treaty of Aix-La-Chapelle. Sir George Dyson, whose career brought him to Winchester College as Master of Music from 1924-1937, composed his anthem, Confortare, for the Queen's Coronation.

Leaders from a number of Christian churches led prayers: the Revd Tom Stuckey, chairman of the Methodist Church's Southampton district, the Ven Mervyn Banting, archdeacon of the Isle of Wight, representing the Anglican Bishop of Portsmouth, Major Ken Monk, Salvation Army, the Revd Frank Boyd, regional minister of the Southern Counties Baptist Association and the Rt Revd Crispian Hollis, Roman Catholic Bishop of Portsmouth.

Afterwards, at a splendid garden party on the lawn beside the Cathedral, Hampshire County Youth Band, the 2002 BBC Radio 2 Youth Brass Band of the Year, entertained guests.

Princess Alexandra, in lilac jacket and purple skirt, chatted to guests on the beautiful summer afternoon, as the band, under the baton of its veteran director, Leighton Rich, played a selection of songs by Buddy Holly, plus Ravel's Bolero and some Beatles' favourites-A Hard Day's Night, Yesterday and With a Little Help from My Friends.