Editor's notes:
Marking the 60th?anniversary of the accession of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom to the thrones of seven countries,?the Diamond Jubilee celebrations will centre around an extended weekend on June 2, 3, 4 and 5. Queen Victoria in 1897 is the only other monarch in the histories of the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and a few other Commonwealth realms to have celebrated a Diamond Jubilee.?
Diamond jubilee celebrations kick off |
Glamour to mark Queen Elizabeth II's Jubilee celebration |
Queen Elizabeth II barges down River Thames for Diamond Jubilee |
Eco-friendly lighting system illuminates Tower Bridge in London |
Day 2 (Sunday 3 June) | Day 3 (Monday 4 June) | Day 4 (Tuesday 5 June) | |
The Queen will attend the Epsom Derby – an avid racing fan, The Queen has been attending the Epsom Derby for eight decades. |
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The Big Jubilee Lunch and the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant – up to 1,000 boats will sail down the Thames. The Queen will lead the flotilla in the Royal Barge. |
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A BBC Concert at Buckingham Palace and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Beacons – 2,012 beacons will be lit by communities and individuals. |
A Service of Thanksgiving and Carriage Procession – the service will take place at St Paul’s Cathedral, with a formal carriage procession by The Queen. |
The Queen was born Princess Elizabeth in 1926, the elder daughter of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. |
On 6 February 1952 Princess Elizabeth acceded to the throne as Queen Elizabeth II and was crowned the following year on 2 June 1953 in Westminster Abbey. |
The Queen celebrated her Silver Jubilee in 1977. | The Queen's reign has spanned six decades of enormous social change and development. |
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??China exports porcelain to Britain to mark Queen's rule | |
??Spice Girls set for royal reunion | |
? A queen of embroidery creates a royal portrait | |
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