The Queen ascended to the throne on 6 February 1952 and her coronation took place on 2 June 1953. She observed her Silver Jubilee (25 years) in 1977 and her Golden Jubilee (50 years) in 2002. 2012 is a very special year indeed; it is the year of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, an extraordinary occasion. The Diamond Jubilee marks an incredible 60 years of the Queen’s reign. Make the most of this remarkable occasion.
The very first British sovereign to commemorate 50 years on the throne in a noteworthy and momentous fashion was George III. The only other British queen to observe a Diamond Jubilee was Queen Victoria in 1897. The revels of the Diamond Jubilee will focus around an extended weekend in 2012 on 2, 3, 4 and 5 June. Why not visit the UK during the festivities and take a thrilling London tour – discover just what is being planned for the Diamond Jubilee and see how you can become involved.
Even before June, many Diamond Jubilee related activities will take place both inside and outside of London. For example, the Diamond Jubilee Pageant, taking place on the 10, 11 and 13 May, promises a range of entertainment coming from musicians and dancers, as well as military and equestrian displays from all over the globe. This will all take place in the private grounds of spectacular Windsor Castle.
Similarly, there will be a Parade and Muster at Windsor on Saturday 19 May. Almost 2,500 troops from the Army, the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force will march through Windsor Castle and the town before the Queen. They will then gather in the castle grounds in front of an audience of over 3,000 Armed Forces personnel, their families, and veterans for a distinctive and singular event.
A range of diverse exhibitions also mark the Queen’s Jubilee. The Royal Collection has exhibitions at Buckingham Palace, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Windsor Castle, and various other regal venues in the United Kingdom to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee. Take a Buckingham Palace tour for a truly majestic experience. Or perhaps visit Windsor Castle and marvel at ‘The Queen: Sixty Photographs for Sixty Years’ exhibition.
The National Maritime Museum in Greenwich is due to open an intriguing exhibition entitled ‘Royal River: Power, Pageantry and the Thames’ in April 2012. It will explore the affiliations between the Queen, the City of London and the River Thames. The illustrious National Portrait Gallery will display ‘The Queen: Art and Image’, a touring collection of images of the Queen. Additionally to this, the eminent Victoria and Albert Museum is showcasing a selection of portraits of The Queen by photographer Cecil Beaton, which will also tour around the UK.
