Queen Elizabeth II – Diamond Jubilee Celebrations

Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Celebrations 2012:

Queen's Diamond Jubilee Logo - Courtesy VisitBritain

On 6 February 2012, Queen Elizabeth II will have been on the throne for 60 years. The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee is a historical occasion as Queen Elizabeth II is only the second British monarch to achieve 60 years on the throne.  Currently only Queen Victoria beats this record, having served 63 years and 216 days on the throne.

Diamond Jubilee Celebrations

Britain’s culture, heritage and royal ceremonies are what most visitors find appealing and this year presents the greatest opportunities to see some of these royal ceremonies.

The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Celebrations will be the greatest royal event in the world. During the whole of 2012, there will be celebrations throughout Britain to mark this momentous occasion. The Queen and members of the Royal Family will also be travelling extensively throughout the U.K. and a number of Commonwealth countries to mark her 60th anniversary as Queen.

Diamond Jubilee Pageant at Windsor Castle

A major event marking the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee is the Diamond Jubilee Pageant which takes place at Windsor Castle from May 10th – 13th.  Expect to see 500 horses and some 800 international dancers and musicians in performances that pay tribute to the Queen.  This is a ticketed event and you can purchase tickets from the Diamond Jubilee Pageant website www.diamond-jubilee-pageant.com.

Other Major Diamond Jubilee Events

Diamond Jubilee celebrations will fall into three main categories:

1. The Official Celebrations will take place in June which is the month that the Queen’s coronation took place in 1953. Some of the main events include:
   • June 3rd, 2012 – A spectacular Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant involving 1,000 boats
   • June 4th, 2012 – The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Beacons with the lighting of thousands of beacons across the UK and around the world.  An example of this is Hadrian’s Wall where 60 beacons will be lit along the length of the Wall – each beacon representing a year in the life of the Queen’s reign.
   • June 4th, 2012 – A BBC Concert in front of Buckingham Palace
   • June 5th, 2012 – Thanksgiving Service at St. Paul’s and a formal Carriage Procession by the Queen.
2. Special Exhibitions and Projects will be part of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations. The Queen’s Diamonds will go on display at the State Rooms of Buckingham Palace in August and September. The National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, London is celebrating both the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and its own 75th anniversary with a major exhibition about royalty and London’s River Thames. Greenwich becomes a Royal Borough and some towns will be elevated to city status to give them more prominence on the British tourist map.
3. Community Celebrations – As occurred during the Queen’s Silver and Golden Jubilees, hundreds of towns and villages across the UK will be holding their own Diamond Jubilee celebrations. A Big Jubilee Lunch is being coordinated on the 3rd of June to coincide with the official celebrations.

If you’re travelling in the U.K. during this Diamond Jubilee year, keep a lookout for some of these special events.

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