05/06/2012

UK And Commonwealth Celebrate Queen's Diamond Jubilee

A weekend of Diamond Jubilee celebrations has culminated with a royal balcony appearance and Red Arrows flypast at Buckingham Palace.

The Duke of Edinburgh was absent from proceedings from Sunday onwards, as he was admitted to hospital in London with a bladder infection.

But the Queen and other senior royals appeared on the balcony this afternoon after a weekend of events around the world marked the Jubilee, only the second time a British monarch has reigned for 60 years.

The first was Queen Victoria.

On a rainy Sunday, one thousand boats of all shapes and sizes made their way down the Thames, headed by the royal party in the Queen's barge.

And today a military procession and a service at St Paul’s Cathedral honoured the Queen's sixty years of service.

More than 4,000 beacons were lit across the UK and the Commonwealth yesterday, leading up to one final beacon lit at 10.30pm outside Buckingham Palace by Queen Elizabeth II, at a Diamond Jubilee concert which included Stevie Wonder, Elton John, Kylie Minogue, Jessie J and Paul McCartney.

The concert was attended by 12,000 ticket-holders and thousands more spectators lined the Mall.

But a shadow has been cast over celebrations as ministers have been urged to investigate claims that unemployed people from across England were bussed in to steward the concert unpaid and made to sleep under London Bridge.

(NE)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

26 March 2012
The Royal Mint Reveals Diamond Jubilee Commemorate Coins
The Royal Mint has unveiled five new precious metal variations of the only official UK £5 coin, struck to mark the occasion of Her Majesty the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in 2012.
12 June 2014
Martin McGuinness To Meet Queen In Belfast
Northern Ireland's Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness has confirmed that he will meet the Queen for a second time this year during her visit to Belfast with the Duke of Edinburgh between 23 and 25 June.
02 June 2011
Queen Announces Diamond Jubilee Plans
Buckingham Palace has announced plans for the main weekend to celebrate The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012. The main programme will take place from Saturday 2nd June to Tuesday 5th June with celebratory activities throughout the United Kingdom and across the Commonwealth. The Big Jubilee Lunch will take place on Sunday 3rd June.
20 August 2012
Prince Philip Released From Hospital
The Duke of Edinburgh has been discharged from hospital after a 5-night stay at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, where he received treatment for a bladder infection. It was the 91-year-old’s third hospital stay in nine months.
18 May 2012
Queen's Lunch Guestlist Attracts Criticism
A lunch being hosted by The Queen has been criticised for its guestlist. Some of those expected at Windsor Castle later include the King of Bahrain and Swaziland's King Mswati III. Critics accuse Bahrain of human rights abuses and say King Mswati lives in luxury while his people go hungry.