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Queen Elizabeth II marks Diamond Jubilee

Queen Elizabeth 11 who has renewed her pledge to serve Britain as she clocks 60 years on the throne, marked her historic Diamond Jubilee watching … Continue reading Queen Elizabeth II marks Diamond Jubilee


Queen Elizabeth

Queen Elizabeth 11 who has renewed her pledge to serve Britain as she clocks 60 years on the throne, marked her historic Diamond Jubilee watching a school play.

In the early hours of Tuesday, crowds gathered to pay their respects as Elizabeth II, who joins Queen Victoria as Britain’s second monarch to reach 60 years on the throne went out for a morning of engagements.

Queen Elizabeth

The queen started off by viewing a selection of items from the town’s archives, including, poignantly, the certificate of her father’s birth, before being presented with a bouquet by nine-year-old Rosie Muspratt. She then made the short trip to Dersingham Infant and Nursery School where 130 pupils aged three to seven were brimming over with excitement and headteacher Gayle Platt guided her on a school tour full of surprises.

The queen grinned as children danced to The Rocky Horror Show song Time Warp before presenting her with gifts including a scrapbook, flowers and a light catcher.

Ella Tuckwood, six, said: “I was a bit nervous because I didn’t know if I was going to say my lines correctly, but I did in the end. The Queen is pretty. She was smiling so I could tell she was enjoying the play.Today is also sad because her dad died and she became Queen.”

As the Queen left to cheers, gun salutes went off at noon around the country, fired at Hyde Park and the Tower of London, Edinburgh Castle and Royal Navy at Portsmouth Harbour.

The main Diamond Jubilee celebrations will take place in June with a pageant down the River Thames, a pop concert in Buckingham Palace, street parties and a “Big Jubilee Lunch” for the nation to enjoy.