In a speech to mark the 60th anniversary of her accession to the throne, she also paid a rare public tribute to the Duke of Edinburgh, her “constant strength and guide”. Speaking in Westminster Hall, the oldest part of the Palace of Westminster, the Queen said the setting was a reminder of Britain’s history and “national story”.

To mark her Diamond Jubilee, MPs and peers have paid for a new stained-glasswindow for the 900-year-old hall, comprising her coat of arms.

　
“I have been privileged to witness some of that history and, with the support of my family, rededicate myself to the service of our great country and its people now and in the years to come.” Her words were widely interpreted as a signal of the 85 year-old’s determination to remain on the throne for the rest of her life.

As the Queen pointed out, she is only the second monarchto celebrate a Diamond Jubilee. Queen Victoria reigned for 63 years, the longest-serving monarch.

Members of the Royal family have said that the Duke’s unwaveringsupport has been essential to the Queen’s reign, but the couple themselves discuss their union only rarely. The Queen yesterday broke that habit with a warm joke about her husband’s irasciblepublic persona.

The Queen’s speeches to Parliament are usually written by the Government, but yesterday’s address was personal, and included gentle jokes about the many politicians she had seen come and go.

“As today, it was my privilege to address you during my Silver and Golden Jubilees. Many of you were present 10 years ago and some of you will recall the occasion in 1977,” she said.

Smiling, she added: “Since my accession, I have been a regular visitor to the Palace of Westminster and, at the last count, have had the pleasurable duty of treating with 12 prime ministers.”

Laughter spread through the hall as her audience realised that her choice of the word “pleasurable” may not have been altogether serious.

　英國女王伊麗莎白二世昨日在威斯敏斯特大廳向議會發表登基60周年演講，在演講中，女王特別稱贊丈夫菲利普親王不斷給予的力量和指引。女王稱古老的威斯敏斯特大廳會讓人們想起英國的歷史和國家的故事。為了慶祝女王登基60周年，英國上下議院的議員們為女王訂制了

　一塊彩繪玻璃窗作為獻禮，這塊繪有女王盾形紋章的玻璃將被鑲嵌在有900年悠久歷史的威斯敏斯特大廳里。

　女王在演講中這樣表示：“我有幸見證一段歷史。在我的家人的支持下，我會繼續奉獻為我們偉大的國家和人民服務。” 女王的這段演講被廣泛解讀為現年85歲的她將繼續執掌王座的決心。

　女王指出她是英國歷史上繼維多利亞女王之后第二位在位時間超過60年的君主。維多利亞女王是英國歷史上在位時間最長的君主，在位63年。

　皇室家族成員經常會談到菲利普親王堅定不移的支持是女王統治的重要因素，但女王夫婦很少會在公開場合談論對方，不過昨天女王打破慣例，就菲利普親王性情暴躁的公共形象開了個溫暖的玩笑。

　女王向議會發表的演講通常會由政府人員撰稿，但昨天的演講很個人，女王還就她在位期間來來往往的各位政壇人物優雅地開了個玩笑。

　女王說：“今天回頭看看，在我登基25周年和50周年的時候我也曾經為你們發表演講，這一點我表示很榮幸。你們當中有許多人10年前就在這兒，我相信你們中有些人也能回憶起1977年的場景。”

　女王微笑著又補充道：“我在位期間是威斯敏斯特宮的常客。我自己統計了一下，已經與12位總理愉快地分擔過責任。”

　女王選擇了并不算正式的“pleasurable” 這個詞，這讓威斯敏斯特大廳里的聽眾們全場歡笑。