The Queen's Diamond Jubilee

 

60 years of The Queen's reign

The Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II is an international celebration marking the 60th anniversary of the accession of Queen Elizabeth II to the thrones of seven countries.

The Queen came to the throne on 6th February 1952 and her coronation took place on 2nd June 1953. She celebrated her Silver Jubilee (25 years) in 1977 and her Golden Jubilee (50 years) in 2002.  The only other British monarch to celebrate a Diamond Jubilee was Queen Victoria in 1897.

The 2012 Diamond Jubilee celebrations will centre on an extended weekend from 2nd – 5th June. An extra bank holiday to mark the event will be enjoyed in the United Kingdom.

Big Jubilee Lunch

Up and down the country, neighbours will celebrate the Jubilee by taking part in the fourth annual Big Lunch.

With local councils receiving almost 9,500 road closure applications, this year's event promises to be the biggest and best ever - and there's still time to get involved.

Thames river pageant

The Queen will lead up to a thousand boats in one of the largest flotillas ever seen on the River Thames. The  pageant will start at 2.00 pm, up-river from Battersea Bridge.

A number of viewing areas along the pageant route will be equipped with big screens. The viewing areas will be open from 8.00 am, but space will be limited. See the pageant website for locations of viewing areas, toilets and information on the Battersea Park festival.

Concert at Buckingham Palace

 

Organised by the BBC and featuring some of the biggest name in music, the concert will be attended by The Queen and other members of the Royal Family.

The ballot for tickets has closed but the concert will be broadcast live from 7.30 pm on BBC One, Radio 2, and on big screens in Hyde Park, St James's Park and The Mall.

Jubilee beacons

From 10.00 pm, thousands of Jubilee beacons will be lit - culminating in The Queen lighting the national beacon at 10.30 pm.

See the beacons website for details of events near you.

Service of thanksgiving and carriage procession

The Queen and other members of the Royal Family will attend a national service of thanksgiving at St.Paul’s Cathedral. It will include a prayer written, at The Queen’s direction, by the Chapter of St Paul’s Cathedral in  honour of the Diamond Jubilee. A ‘Diamond Choir’ of children from around the UK will sing a specially composed song.

Later in the day, the Royal Family will travel from Westminster Hall to Buckingham Palace by carriage, along a processional route. Shortly after their arrival, the Royal family will appear on the balcony and an RAF fly-past will take place.

Buckingham Palace has published full details of the processional route, and the events will be shown on big screens in Hyde Park, St James's Park and Trafalgar Square.