The Queen to meet the Press face-to-face - October 17, 2007

The Queen and Prince Philip will come face to face with the nation's media when they make an historical return visit next month to the spiritual home of journalists from the UK and around the world.

Almost 50 years to the day when they were last in St Bride's Church, Fleet Street, London at a service of rededication of the famous Wren church following World War II devastation, they will attend a service of thanksgiving on November 28 at 3pm, when a congregation of hundreds, including Press barons, journalists and photographers, will be there to greet them.

Canon David Meara, Rector of St Bride's says he hopes that representatives of all the constituencies the church seeks to serve will be present to celebrate the past fifty years and to look ahead to the future. "The event will add another historical chapter to this great church," he adds.

During the service, in which a specially commissioned anthem and new hymn will be sung, a memorial book for those in the media industry who have lost their lives will be dedicated and this will become an ongoing record of those who have devoted their lives to the craft of the printed and spoken word.

Representatives of the church and media will be given a chance to meet the Queen and the Duke at a reception in the Bridewell Hall, alongside the church, after the service.

NOTE TO JOURNALISTS

For any further information please contact: Matthew Busby: 020 7427 0133 or info@stbrides.com

Edward Bevin