Prayers said for Queen Mother

The Archbishop of Canterbury praised the Queen Mother

Prayers have been said for the Queen Mother at Easter church services across the UK and around the world.

The Queen led the mourning for her mother at a private service inside Windsor Castle.

She and other members of the Royal Family cancelled plans to attend a public Easter service because of her mother's death on Saturday.

The Archbishop of Canterbury Dr George Carey, leader of the Church of England, asked the nation to pray for the Royal Family during the Easter service at Canterbury Cathedral.

For over a century her life, determination and encouragement were a model to others

Canon George Hall,
rector of Sandringham

"As the nation mourns, we give thanks to God for a life not only of great longevity but also of one lived to the full," he said.

"Our thoughts and prayers this morning are with the entire Royal Family, but especially with the Queen, who has lost first a sister and now a much-loved parent in a matter of weeks."

The leader of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, Archbishop Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, also paid tribute to the Queen Mother at an Easter vigil at Westminster Cathedral.

He asked his congregation to include the Queen Mother in their prayers, and said her life had been guided by her faith.

'Inspiration'

Prayers were also said at St Mary Magdalene Church on the Queen's Sandringham estate in Norfolk.

Canon George Hall, the rector of Sandringham, said: "We are all in deep shock at our loss.

"Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, was the great inspirer and facilitator. Her life was full of inspiration and encouragement to others.

"For over a century her life, determination and encouragement were a model to others and, since she became Queen, to the whole nation."

He added: "The Queen and Her Majesty's family are much in our prayers.

"With them we also say a very special thank you to God for Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. An outstanding lady who was much loved and who will be much missed."

'Zest for life'

A special service was held at Crathie Church in Scotland, where the Royal Family worship when at Balmoral.

Before the service, the Reverend Robert Sloan said: "The people in Deeside are shocked by her death. Although we knew that it was inevitable, we are still very saddened by it.

Archbishop Cormac Murphy-O'Connor: Led Easter prayers

"At the same time, too, the Easter weekend is a weekend of hope and we remember Queen Elizabeth as a Christian who worshipped here regularly."

At York Minster, the Archbishop of York Dr David Hope paid tribute to the Queen Mother's "zest for life and love of people".

The National Anthem greeted worshippers at Manchester Cathedral.

The Bishop of Manchester, the Right Reverend Christopher Mayfield, said: "It was the hope and faith we celebrate at Easter that sustained Her Majesty the Queen Mother through high times and sad times."

British and US troops in Afghanistan have also held a memorial service.

Around 200 British troops and at least 100 of their American counterparts observed a two-minute silence at an Easter Sunday service at Bagram air base north of Kabul.

Addressing the troops, Padre Rory McLeod said: "In a constantly and evermore swiftly changing world, Elizabeth the Queen Mother provided stability.

"Perhaps what she will be most fondly remembered for is the fact that at crucial stages of our history, the Queen Mother has helped to raise the morale of the United Kingdom and her allies.

"We pray for her daughter at this time, Queen Elizabeth, that she may be comforted."