The Archbishop of Canterbury is to host a garden party at Lambeth Palace next summer in honour of the Queen's Golden Jubilee.

Responding to a question at General Synod, concerning Church of England celebrations of the Jubilee, the Archbishop, Dr George Carey, said:

"I am glad to report that Her Majesty the Queen has accepted my invitation to attend a Garden Party held in her honour at Lambeth Palace in June. The focus of the event will be our young people."

Further details about the event, to be held in Lambeth Palace garden in the first part of June 2002, will be announced in due course. Several hundred guests are expected to attend.

The Queen, who is Supreme Governor of the Church of England, also visited Lambeth Palace as part of the Silver Jubilee celebrations in 1977.

Lambeth Palace is the official London resident of Archbishops of Canterbury.