Past special services

Read reports of past special services held at Westminster Abbey.

Judges mark the start of the new legal year 2024

Judges mark the start of the new legal year 2024

Tuesday, 1st October 2024

South Africa 30th Anniversary

A Service of Thanksgiving in the 30th year of South Africa’s democracy

Tuesday, 16th July 2024

Civic Service at Westminster Abbey July 2024

Abbey welcomes New Lord Mayor of Westminster

Monday, 8th July 2024

Their Majesties The Emperor and Empress of Japan visited Westminster Abbey

Emperor of Japan visits Westminster Abbey

Tuesday, 25th June 2024

Florence Nightingale Service 2024 - Lamp

Florence Nightingale remembered at annual service

Thursday, 16th May 2024

Stirling Moss Order of Service and Medals

The life of Sir Stirling Moss honoured at Abbey

Wednesday, 8th May 2024

Wreaths laid at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior by the High Commissioners

Westminster Abbey Marks ANZAC Day 2024

Thursday, 25th April 2024

Lord Byron memorial with floral wreath of red and white roses

Lord Byron remembered, 200 years on

Thursday, 18th April 2024

Sir Stirling Moss driving the Mercedes-Benz W196 at the Grand Prix on England, Aintree 1955

Westminster Abbey to honour the life of Sir Stirling Moss

Thursday, 21st March 2024

Members of the Royal Family celebrate Commonwealth Day at the Abbey

Members of the Royal Family celebrate Commonwealth Day at the Abbey

Monday, 11th March 2024

The Duke of Kent talking to someone from the RNLI

Westminster Abbey marks the 200th anniversary of the RNLI

Monday, 4th March 2024

Scouts service 2024, Order of service in quire stalls

Scouts celebrate at annual Service of Thanksgiving

Friday, 23rd February 2024

Families celebrate Christmas at royal carol service 

Families celebrate Christmas at royal carol service 

Sunday, 24th December 2023

Judges mark the start of the new legal year

Judges mark the start of the new legal year

Monday, 2nd October 2023

Battle of Britain anniversary marked at Westminster Abbey

Battle of Britain anniversary marked at Westminster Abbey

Sunday, 17th September 2023

Admiral of the Fleet Lord Boyce remembered

Admiral of the Fleet Lord Boyce remembered

Thursday, 13th July 2023

NHS celebrates 75th anniversary

NHS celebrates 75th anniversary

Wednesday, 5th July 2023

Three men by the Grave of the Unknown Warrior - two of them are about the lay wreaths

Westminster Abbey Marks ANZAC Day 2023

Tuesday, 25th April 2023

HM King Charles III rubbing noses (a traditional Maori greeting) with a member of the Ngati Ranana

The King celebrates Commonwealth Day 2023 at the Abbey

Monday, 13th March 2023

Prince William, Kate Middleton, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, King Charles and the Dean of Westminster. A Christmas tree can be seen in the background

Queen Elizabeth II remembered during Royal carol service

Saturday, 24th December 2022

Musicians celebrated at St Cecilia service

Musicians celebrated at St Cecilia service

Wednesday, 23rd November 2022

The Queen Consort receives a cross of remembrance from a member of the Armed Forces.

The Queen Consort opens the Field of Remembrance 2022

Thursday, 10th November 2022

Trees of life service takes place at the Abbey

Trees of life service takes place at the Abbey

Tuesday, 11th October 2022

Judges in red robes and legal wigs reading from hymn sheets

Judges mark the start of the 2022 legal year

Monday, 3rd October 2022

Consecration of new Bishop at Westminster Abbey

Consecration of new Bishop at Westminster Abbey

Thursday, 29th September 2022

The State Funeral of HM Queen Elizabeth II

The State Funeral of HM Queen Elizabeth II

Monday, 19th September 2022

Abbey welcomes new Lord Mayor of Westminster

Abbey welcomes new Lord Mayor of Westminster

Tuesday, 5th July 2022

Lord Burghley’s legacy celebrated

Lord Burghley’s legacy celebrated

Wednesday, 22nd June 2022

Abbey marks anniversary of Grenfell tragedy

Abbey marks anniversary of Grenfell tragedy

Tuesday, 14th June 2022

HRH Prince Charles in a red cope

Abbey welcomes HRH The Prince of Wales to Bath service

Tuesday, 24th May 2022

Rolls of Honour in front of a lamp that has a flame at the spout

Florence Nightingale remembered at annual service

Thursday, 12th May 2022

TRH The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attend ANZAC Day Service

TRH The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attend ANZAC Day Service

Monday, 25th April 2022

The life of The Duke of Edinburgh celebrated at Service of Thanksgiving

The life of The Duke of Edinburgh celebrated at Service of Thanksgiving

Tuesday, 29th March 2022

The life of Dame Vera Lynn honoured at Abbey service

The life of Dame Vera Lynn honoured at Abbey service

Monday, 21st March 2022

Members of The Royal Family attend Commonwealth Day service

Members of The Royal Family attend Commonwealth Day service

Monday, 14th March 2022

Wreath around the Grave of the Unknown Warrior

Service of Commemoration and Thanksgiving for ANZAC Day announced

Monday, 21st February 2022

Abbey plans Memorial Evensong for Archbishop Tutu

Abbey plans Memorial Evensong for Archbishop Tutu

Friday, 31st December 2021

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge outside the Abbey with reindeer and Christmas trees

Duchess of Cambridge hosts Christmas carol service at Abbey

Wednesday, 8th December 2021

HRH The Earl of Wessex with the Dean

Earl of Wessex attends Synod service

Tuesday, 16th November 2021

HRH The Duchess of Cornwall honours war dead

HRH The Duchess of Cornwall honours war dead

Thursday, 11th November 2021

Judges mark start of the legal year

Judges mark start of the legal year

Friday, 1st October 2021

Sir Roger Bannister honoured with new memorial stone

Sir Roger Bannister honoured with new memorial stone

Tuesday, 28th September 2021

Abbey marks 81st anniversary of the Battle of Britain

Abbey marks 81st anniversary of the Battle of Britain

Sunday, 19th September 2021

Abbey releases Order of Service for Warrior centenary

Abbey releases Order of Service for Warrior centenary

Wednesday, 11th November 2020

Royal Family marks Unknown Warrior centenary

Royal Family marks Unknown Warrior centenary

Wednesday, 11th November 2020

Judges service marks start of the 2020 legal year

Judges service marks start of the 2020 legal year

Thursday, 1st October 2020

Abbey marks 80th anniversary of the Battle of Britain

Abbey marks 80th anniversary of the Battle of Britain

Monday, 21st September 2020

Her Majesty The Queen attends the Commonwealth Service

Her Majesty The Queen attends the Commonwealth Service

Monday, 9th March 2020

Tricia Hillas inaugurated as Speaker’s Chaplain

Tricia Hillas inaugurated as Speaker’s Chaplain

Wednesday, 4th March 2020

St Margaret’s holds a Service for the New Parliament

St Margaret’s holds a Service for the New Parliament

Wednesday, 8th January 2020

Abbey honour for Sir Donald Gosling

Abbey honour for Sir Donald Gosling

Wednesday, 11th December 2019

Abbey hosts annual St Cecilia service

Abbey hosts annual St Cecilia service

Wednesday, 20th November 2019

Dr David Hoyle installed as 39th Dean of Westminster

Dr David Hoyle installed as 39th Dean of Westminster

Saturday, 16th November 2019

Members of the Royal Family honour war dead

Members of the Royal Family honour war dead

Thursday, 7th November 2019

John Hall retires as Dean of Westminster

John Hall retires as Dean of Westminster

Friday, 1st November 2019

London Mayors attend Abbey Evensong

London Mayors attend Abbey Evensong

Monday, 21st October 2019

Westminster Abbey celebrates 750th anniversary

Westminster Abbey celebrates 750th anniversary

Tuesday, 15th October 2019

Judges service marks start of the 2019 legal year

Judges service marks start of the 2019 legal year

Tuesday, 1st October 2019

Westminster Abbey Honours PG Wodehouse

Westminster Abbey Honours PG Wodehouse

Friday, 20th September 2019

Westminster Abbey marks Battle of Britain anniversary

Westminster Abbey marks Battle of Britain anniversary

Monday, 16th September 2019

Lord Ashdown remembered

Lord Ashdown remembered

Tuesday, 10th September 2019

A mace bearer leads the Lord Mayor of Westminster and the Dean of Westminster through Westminster Abbey's cloisters

Westminster Abbey welcomes new Lord Mayor

Monday, 8th July 2019

Baroness Trumpington attending a party

Thanksgiving Service for Baroness Trumpington

Tuesday, 25th June 2019

Lord Heywood remembered

Lord Heywood remembered

Thursday, 20th June 2019

Abbey celebrates 300th anniversary of Westminster Hospital

Abbey celebrates 300th anniversary of Westminster Hospital

Thursday, 23rd May 2019

Chilean Navy honours Admiral Cochrane

Chilean Navy honours Admiral Cochrane

Tuesday, 21st May 2019

Abbey Marks Centenary of Police Women

Abbey Marks Centenary of Police Women

Friday, 17th May 2019

Florence Nightingale and Edith Cavell Remembered

Florence Nightingale and Edith Cavell Remembered

Wednesday, 15th May 2019

Westminster Abbey celebrates Our Lady of Walsingham

Westminster Abbey celebrates Our Lady of Walsingham

Tuesday, 7th May 2019

Duke of Cambridge marks Royal Navy anniversary

Duke of Cambridge marks Royal Navy anniversary

Friday, 3rd May 2019

Westminster Abbey marks ANZAC Day

Westminster Abbey marks ANZAC Day

Thursday, 25th April 2019

The Queen attends The Commonwealth Day Service

The Queen attends The Commonwealth Day Service

Monday, 11th March 2019

Lord Carrington remembered at Westminster Abbey service

Lord Carrington remembered at Westminster Abbey service

Thursday, 31st January 2019

Alleyn’s School celebrates 400th anniversary

Alleyn’s School celebrates 400th anniversary

Friday, 18th January 2019

Service of Thanksgiving for Anthony Harvey

Service of Thanksgiving for Anthony Harvey

Wednesday, 16th January 2019

Abbey celebrates life of St Maximilian Kolbe

Abbey celebrates life of St Maximilian Kolbe

Monday, 14th January 2019

Metropolitan Police Service holds Abbey carol service

Metropolitan Police Service holds Abbey carol service

Thursday, 20th December 2018

Westminster Abbey hosts Whitehall Carol Service

Westminster Abbey hosts Whitehall Carol Service

Wednesday, 19th December 2018

Service celebrates Middle East Christians

Service celebrates Middle East Christians

Wednesday, 5th December 2018

Abbey marks Year of Engineering

Abbey marks Year of Engineering

Thursday, 22nd November 2018

Abbey marks the Centenary of the Armistice

Abbey marks the Centenary of the Armistice

Sunday, 11th November 2018

Abbey remembers the Fallen

Abbey remembers the Fallen

Sunday, 11th November 2018

Westminster Abbey marks Kristallnacht anniversary

Westminster Abbey marks Kristallnacht anniversary

Friday, 9th November 2018

The Duke of Sussex opens the 90th Field of Remembrance

The Duke of Sussex opens the 90th Field of Remembrance

Thursday, 8th November 2018

St Margaret’s holds Parliament service to mark Centenary

St Margaret’s holds Parliament service to mark Centenary

Tuesday, 6th November 2018

Scouts and Guides celebrate shared traditions

Scouts and Guides celebrate shared traditions

Monday, 5th November 2018

Annual London Mayors Evensong held

Annual London Mayors Evensong held

Monday, 15th October 2018

Judges service marks start of the legal year

Judges service marks start of the legal year

Monday, 1st October 2018

78th anniversary of the Battle of Britain

78th anniversary of the Battle of Britain

Monday, 17th September 2018

Westminster Abbey celebrates the life of Sir Peter Hall

Westminster Abbey celebrates the life of Sir Peter Hall

Tuesday, 11th September 2018

Westminster Abbey celebrates the centenary of the RAF

Westminster Abbey celebrates the centenary of the RAF

Tuesday, 10th July 2018

Westminster Abbey celebrates 70th anniversary of the NHS

Westminster Abbey celebrates 70th anniversary of the NHS

Thursday, 5th July 2018

Westminster Abbey holds annual Civic Service

Westminster Abbey holds annual Civic Service

Monday, 2nd July 2018

Actors dressed as people who have just arrived in England on HMT Windrush. They are all carrying suitcases

Spirit of Windrush celebrated at Westminster Abbey

Friday, 22nd June 2018

Prince of Wales attends Order of the Bath installation

Prince of Wales attends Order of the Bath installation

Thursday, 24th May 2018

Chilean Navy pays tribute to Admiral Thomas Cochrane

Chilean Navy pays tribute to Admiral Thomas Cochrane

Monday, 21st May 2018

The Arts Society celebrates 50th anniversary

The Arts Society celebrates 50th anniversary

Wednesday, 16th May 2018

Florence Nightingale remembered

Florence Nightingale remembered

Thursday, 10th May 2018

Royal attendance for ANZAC Day commemoration

Royal attendance for ANZAC Day commemoration

Wednesday, 25th April 2018