Close members of the Royal Family gathered with the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh for the special dinner at the Prince's home, Clarence House.

Charles, the Duchess of Cornwall and Princes William and Harry were among those toasting the couple's 60-year milestone at the black tie event.

A total of 25 members of the family were attending, plus Autumn Kelly, the fiancee of Peter Phillips.

The guests arrived at 8pm for an evening which started with drinks and was followed by dinner. The first course was a favourite dish of the Queen Mother - Eggs Drumkilbo with Caithness lobster. This is a set mousse, glazed in aspic, made with fresh mayonnaise, chunks of lobster, and fresh herbs including chervil and tarragon.

That was followed by Sandringham partridge crown-roasted on a faggot of herbs with Duchy bacon, accompanied by braised cabbage, roast potatoes, game chips and bread sauce. Then came vanilla, raspberry and chocolate layered ice-cream cake with a compote of Highgrove red berries.

The flower arrangements were created by Shane Connolly, who has worked for the Prince for several years. The flowers on the table were white cattleya orchids, inspired by the Queen's bouquet on her wedding day on November 20, 1947.

The flowers around the base of the gilt candelabra were inspired by the bridesmaids' head-dresses, and were an arrangement of wheat and orange blossom.

On Monday, the day before their anniversary, the Queen and Duke will attend a service of thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey, where they married.

Some 2,000 people including senior royals, Prime Minister Gordon Brown, former leaders Baroness Thatcher and Sir John Major, religious representatives, military chiefs of staff and some of the Queen's godchildren, will attend.