The Magna Carta, hailed as the cornerstone of parliamentary democracy, inspired legends like Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela for liberty to their lands and people, Prime Minister David Cameron said today as Britain marked the historic charter's 800th anniversary.

UK's royalty converged at the famous meadow Runnymede, where King John had met disgruntled barons and agreed to a list of basic rights on June 15, 1215 under which the foundations of parliamentary democracy, human rights and the supremacy of the law over the crown were first enshrined.

However, the human rights the historic charter helped shape are at the centre of a modern political feud in the UK, with Cameron seeking to overhaul the rights laws and reduce the influence of Europe using the document's reference.

Queen Elizabeth II joined the British premier to commemorate the sealing of Magna Carta, the Latin for 'Great Charter' that was also an inspiration for the US Constitution. Thousands had gathered at the riverside meadow, near Windson, Berkshire, for the commemoration.