St. Paul's Cathedral in London withstood the bombings of World War II, but an involuntary shudder seemed to pass through the rafters when Queen Elizabeth II displayed a rarely seen show of public emotion during a Sept. 14 service of remembrance for those killed in terror attacks on the United States Sept. 11.

The queen was joined by her husband, Prince Philip, son Charles, Prince of Wales, Prime Minister Tony Blair and the American ambassador, William Farish. Every seat was filled and a crowd estimated at 8,000-10,000 stretched for blocks outside.

The Most Rev. George L. Carey, Archbishop of Canterbury, assured the many Americans in the congregation that Great Britain was with America, but cautioned against rash action.

"Yes, those responsible for such barbaric acts must be held to account," Archbishop Carey said. "But we must be guided by higher goals than mere revenge. As we battle with evil, our goal must be a world where such violence is a thing of the past." Following his message, the congregation within and without the cathedral sang "The Battle Hymn of the Republic."

The service closed with "God Save the Queen" and it was then, as she walked down the aisle past rows of distressed members of the public, that the queen appeared to lose her composure momentarily.

Following the service, members of the royal family and the prime minister reached out to Americans in the crowd waiting outside the cathedral. They repeated the archbishop's words that Great Britain would stand by its American ally.

The Anglican Communion News Service and the Telegraph of Great Britain contributed to this report.