Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee

Credits: Simplified Pixabay License

Marking 60 years of The Queen's reign, the Diamond Jubilee celebrations will centre around an extended weekend in 2012 on June 2nd to 5th.

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.

During that weekend, communities all around the country will be celebrating over an extended bank holiday weekend, and there will be many ways to get involved in local events.

- On Saturday 2nd June, The Queen will attend the Epsom Derby.

- On Sunday 3rd June, the fourth annual Big Lunch will take place - so anyone who wants to celebrate the Jubilee can do so by holding a Big Jubilee Lunch.

- On the same day, up to a thousand boats will muster on the river as The Queen prepares to lead one of the largest flotillas ever seen on the River Thames.

- On Monday 4th June, a concert will take place at Buckingham Palace. It is organized by the BBC, and will be attended by The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh and other members of the Royal Family. It will be broadcast live on BBC One, Radio 2, and on big screens in Hyde Park, St James's Park and The Mall.

- On the same day, thousands of beacons will be lit around the world to commemorate The Queen's 60 year reign over the UK and as head of the Commonwealth.

- On Tuesday 5th, 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.

The official Diamond Jubilee website features the latest news, photographs, announcements and historical information about The Queen's 60-year reign. It also includes an interactive timeline, quizzes, puzzles and the official images of The Queen released for the Diamond Jubilee. Visitors can send a congratulatory message to The Queen.

The Jubilee emblem, which you see on the left, is 10-year-old Katherine Dewar's design and it was chosen after a hard national competition.

Source: UK Government and The Diamond Jubilee Official Website