The Archbishop of Canterbury has presented HM The Queen with a special 'Canterbury Cross' for Her Majesty's 'unstinting' service to the Church of England over seventy years.

The Archbishop made the presentation during an audience with Her Majesty at Windsor Castle today.

The Canterbury Cross was given to The Queen in recognition and gratitude for Her Majesty’s “unstinting support of the Church throughout her reign” and to mark The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee year.

Archbishop Justin Welby gave the Cross as “a heartfelt symbol of the love, loyalty and affection in which the Church of England holds Her Majesty”.

In the citation for the Cross, which was presented to Her Majesty as a framed piece of calligraphy, the Archbishop wrote:

“Throughout her reign, Her Majesty has duly upheld both the Christian religion and the Church of England in her roles as Defender of the Faith and Supreme Governor of the Church of England. Whether in the formality of opening sessions of General Synod or the more intimate context of her personal addresses to the nation and Commonwealth at Christmas, Her Majesty has made manifest her own deep faith and its relevance to all that she undertakes.

“Her subtle understanding of the changing position of the Established Church in England has sustained and encouraged laity and clergy alike. Her care for the unity of her people and the welfare of the least fortunate have been a constant inspiration to the whole Church. Hers is an example of the Christian life well led.

“This presentation of the Canterbury Cross is a heartfelt symbol of the love, loyalty and affection in which the Church of England holds Her Majesty and it represents the recognition and gratitude of her whole Church for her seventy years of unstinting service. God Save The Queen!”

The Canterbury Cross is presented by the Archbishop of Canterbury for service to the Church of England. The cross is made of silver; a specially cast version was made for Her Majesty with platinum inserts in honour of the Platinum Jubilee.

As Supreme Governor of the Church of England and ‘Defender of the Faith’, Her Majesty has regularly opened sessions of the General Synod of the Church of England.

In 2012, The Queen paid tribute to “the particular mission of Christianity and the general value of faith in this country” during a speech at Lambeth Palace. Her Majesty’s Christmas addresses to the nation and the Commonwealth have often included wisdom from her understanding of Scripture and the Christian faith.