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Derby date and holidays mark Queen's Diamond Jubilee
The Queen will be celebrating 60 years on the throne next year
The Queen will begin her Diamond Jubilee celebrations on 2 June next year by attending the Epsom Derby, Buckingham Palace has announced.
The 60th anniversary celebrations will be held over four days.
A flotilla of up to 1,000 boats will sail along the Thames with the Queen on the Royal Barge on 3 June.
The government has designated Tuesday, 5 June, an additional bank holiday and moved the late May holiday to 4 June to enable a four-day weekend of events.
People will also be encouraged to share Sunday lunch with neighbours and friends, and a BBC concert will be held at the palace on 4 June.
Tickets will be available by public ballot later. The concert will be televised, but the line-up of performers has yet to be announced.
Events are expected to be held throughout the UK and the Commonwealth.
A chain of 2,012 beacons will be lit across the UK on the night of 4 June and the Queen will light the national beacon.
The long weekend will conclude on 5 June with a carriage procession and a service of thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral.
More details for all Diamond Jubilee events will be released early in 2012, the palace said.
The Queen came to the throne on 6 February 1952 on the death of her father, King George VI.
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Comment number 102.
Megan2nd June 2011 - 14:55
Have they considered that June is exam season? In 1977 I sat a Physics A-level paper about 50 feet from the route of the ceremonial procession through Cardiff - 3 hours of solid sound! At least by bolting out as soon as they said "Pens down" I got to see HM The Queen go by...
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Comment number 78.
LynK262nd June 2011 - 13:54
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth has worked tirelessly over the last 60 years with grace and dignity, She is our 'figurehead' and it is wonderful to have the chance to celebrate her long reign. Long may it continue! God Save the Queen.
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Comment number 40.
Ian Sankey2nd June 2011 - 12:38
As a small business owner, still counting the cost of the last royal event... I'm gob-smacked they're hitting me again. If the royals want to celebrate, good for them - but why should small businesses always have to foot their bill?
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Comment number 32.
liverpoolaremagic2nd June 2011 - 12:29
It is also a wonderful opportunity for Her Majesty to recognise long service in the public and private sectors, by issuing a new Golden Jubilee Medal to retirees in 2012 with long service, and also for couples celebrating a Diamond Wedding Anniversary in 2012.
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Comment number 27.
Wassock2nd June 2011 - 12:24
An emigrant, I am also looking forward to the Jubilee. I saw the coronation as a schoolboy, and although I live overseas (so I can afford to live), Her Majesty is the focus of my patriotism: she has worked hard, seven days most weeks, all her life. She is an echo of her Mother, also a very great, unselfish, and sweet lady, and Britain is extremely lucky to have her as the 'head of our family'.
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