Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond (60th) Jubilee Celebrations

2012 marked the Diamond Jubilee of the reign of Queen Elizabeth II. She became Queen when her father, King George VI, died on 6th February, 1952. Princess Elizabeth was 25 years old and she and her husband Prince Philip were on safari in Kenya when news of her father's death reached her. She returned home as Queen Elizabeth II.

Her coronation took place in Westminster Abbey on 2nd June 1953.

She celebrated her Silver Jubilee (25 years) in 1977, Golden Jubilee (50 years) in 2002, and 2012 marks the Diamond 60th Jubilee of her reign.

The only other British monarch to celebrate a Diamond Jubilee was her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria who celebrated the 60th year of her reign in 1897. Kings and Queens by length of reign.

To mark this historic occasion special events took place during 2012 throughout the UK and the Commonwealth Realms (countries in which she is Head of State), and in many Commonwealth Nations.