Watch BBC's The Diamond Queen Episode 1

Andrew Marr looks at the life and reign of HM Queen Elizabeth II in this three-part series, which includes special interviews with Princes William and Harry, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, Zara Tindall and Peter Phillips, the Earl of Wessex, the Duke of York, the Princess Royal, David Cameron, Tony Blair, Sir John Major and President Obama. In this first episode, with remarkable archive footage, Marr tells the childhood story of the young girl who never expected to reign. He looks closely at the influence of her grandfather, father and mother and the impact of the abdication, and hears from the Queen's grandchildren about what it must have been like to become queen at the age of 25. Marr examines exactly what the Queen's role as head of state actually entails, and follows her to the Middle East and the USA to assess the global impact of the royal family on British trade and international relations.

Producer: Sally Norris
Presenter: Andrew Marr Director: Sally Norris
Executive Producer: Nick Vaughan-Barratt

The Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II – Part 3: A Queen is Crowned

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip

The Queen Mother, together with Princess Margaret, rode to the Abbey in a glass coach and took her place in the front row of the Royal Gallery. She was only the second Queen in British history to watch the coronation of a succeeding sovereign. Her Majesty looked very elegant, “glittering from top to toe, diamonds everywhere… the Queen Mother playing second lead as beautifully as she had played first.”

The Peers and other senior members of the State shouted out: “God save Queen Elizabeth.” Trumpets sounded a fanfare.

In her Oath, Elizabeth swore to “Govern the people of the United Kingdom and of her territories abroad, to uphold law and justice tempered with mercy, and to maintain the established Protestant Church.” With her hand on the Bible she went on: “The things which I have here before promised I will perform and keep. So help me God.”

By this time the heat of the television lights was such that some of her maids of honor were beginning to use smelling salts, concealed in their white gloves, to stop from fainting.

The oath was followed by her anointing, a sacred practice which dated back from the Old Testament account of the anointing of Saul and David by Samuel. She removed her diamond headband and crimson train. Her gwon was covered by plain white overgarment. She was escorted to King Edward’s Chair, shielded by a silken canopy held over by four knights of the Garter, the Archbishop of Canterbury said three times, “… be though anointed, blessed and consecrated, Queen over the Peoples, whom the Lord thy God hath given thee to rule and govern.”

For this ceremony he took the oil from the golden Ampulla and used the silver-gilt anointing spoon, the two oldest items in the regalia which were probably used in medieval coronations. The eagle shape of the ampulla symbolized imperial power.

The Queen and her escorts then walked slowly to the side of the train altar into St. Edward’s Chapel, where she put on a white tunic and a rich golden robe. This was in preparation for her Investiture with the outward symbols of her worldly power. Seated on King Edward’s chair, she was handled the golden spurs, which symbolized her devotion to the Code of Chivalry. If she had been a king, the spurs would have been attached to her heels. Instead, she just touched them.

Then, followed the sword of state and the jeweled sword, symbolic of the Sovereign’s quest against evil and her determination to punish those who do them. The Archbishop of Canterbury clipped the armills in the Queen’s wrists. The armills stood for sincerity and wisdom. The Golden Stole and Robe Royal were then shawled on her. She then received the orb with great cross, golden ball, encircled with metal band on top of which is a jeweled arch with a cross. It is the Queen’s emblem of independence and sovereignty.

On her finger she wore the Coronation Ring. It was studded with sapphire and ruby cross of St. George, symbolizing the wedding of the monarch to her people. Highlighting the ceremony was the Crowning. Everyone in abbey rose while the Archbishop placed St. Edward’s Crown on her head. A deafening shout
“God Save the Queen” was heard. All the prince and princess, peers and peeresses then placed their own coronets and caps. Then trumpets horned and gun salutes were made at the Tower of London.

The peers of the realm them paid homage to their new sovereign, but the first to do so was her own husband Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Afterwards, peers and peeresses lined before her, kneeling as they take their turn, promising “to become your liege man of life and limb.” The Queen then proceeded to St. Edward’s Chapel, where she removed the royal golden mantle and was arrayed in a robe of purple velvet trimmed with gold. She was now a crowned and consecrated monarch.

The heavy St. Edward’s Crown was then removed in exchange of the lighter Imperial State Crown, while holding the Scepter with the Cross in her right hand and clutching the Orb on her left. She left the chapel and processed out of the Abbey.

Culminating the long, three-hour ceremony, the new Queen, in her Crown of State, rode her Golden State Coach amidst tolling bells and loud, joyous cheers from the hundreds of thousands of subjects happy to have their new monarch crowned. The coach ride lasted for almost two hours, passing along main London streets, through excited people, hailing them and thanking them for their endless support.

In a broadcast from Buckingham Palace to the Commonwealth, Queen Elizabeth II summed her feelings and said: “As this day draws to its close I know that my abiding memory will be not only the solemnity and beauty of the ceremony but the inspiration of your loyalty and affection.”

From: Tribute to Her Majesty. Produced and Designed by Serge Lemoine; text by Don Coolican. Scott Publishing Co. Ltd., 1986.

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• Queen Elizabeth II skips Commonwealth meeting : the twilight of her reign
• Queen Elizabeth II Looks Back on her Fathers Coronation 75 Years Ago 
• Queen Elizabeth II is the Rainbow Queen 
• Queen Elizabeth II Turns 86
• Million people cheers Queen at Diamond Jubilee

The Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II – Part 1 : All This and Everest, Too

Queen Elizabeth II

Elizabeth II was crowned in Westminster Abbey on a rainy June 2, 1953. The country was just moving forward from the devastation of World War II and Her Majesty’s coronation was a sign of that recovery, being able to demonstrate for the last time her mighty imperial vigor that was steadily on its decline.

More than 10 thousand servicemen – a quarter of them “soldiers of the Queen” from the Commonwealth – marched in the coronation procession. Two thousand bandsmen, which comprised nearly fifty bands, provided music at the background. Sovereigns and rulers around the world arrived in London to honor her small figure, who now heads the greatest nations in history. More than a hundred thousand of her loyal subjects lined the streets of London, despite the dampened weather. The length of her coronation was such that it took almost an hour to pass any one spot.

The ceremony was organized under the watchful and meticulous eyes of the Bernard MarmadukeFitzalan-Howard, 16^th Duke of Norfolk, Premier Duke of England, Master of Ceremonies Extraordinary and the one and only official organizer of all state ceremonies. The duke was also the man behind the coronation of King George VI and he also oversaw the funerals of King George V, King George VI and Queen Mary. Despite the changing of times, the Duke saw to it that the tread of martial feet was carefully stopwatched, masterminded to evoke an aura of timelessness and continuity, which is after all, the essence of royalty.

Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation was the first grand celebration all throughout the Commonwealth since her own wedding in 1947. But unlike the latter, which was overshadowed by a gloomy economy, strict rationing and an empire on the brinks of teetering, the Coronation was gay, festive and pompous. In fact, the ceremony was coincided with Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tensing’s success on reaching the peak of Mount Everest, an omen that meant her reign was to filled by splendor and grandeur—truly a New Elizabethan Age. A newspaper even headlined: “All This and Everest, Too.” Nevertheless, June 1953 was one of the gloomiest days of the 20^th century. But the cold and the pouring rain did not stop the crowd from, some of them too old actually, standing all night just to catch a glimpse of their Queen. Lucky for those who were there, the blessings of television allowed them to take part of the pageantry, right at the comfort of their own home. In fact, the Coronation was hailed as the first triumph of the small screen. A lot of people purchased their very first set with the hope of watching two color films of the Coronation – A Queen is Crowned and Elizabeth is Queen, televised to over two million people around the world.

Adapted from: Tribute to Her Majesty. Produced and Designed by Serge Lemoine; text by Don Coolican. Scott Publishing Co. Ltd., 1986.

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• World celebrates Queen’s Diamond Jubilee 
• Queen Elizabeth II holds Balmoral Castle garden tea party

Queen Elizabeth II holds Balmoral Castle garden tea party

Queen Elizabeth II rounded up the Diamond Jubilee festivities with the first-ever garden party at Balmoral Castle in the Royal Deeside since the Golden Jubilee.  

Here’s a video and images of the event, which served as a finale to the glorious celebrations that marked The Queen’s 60 years on the throne.

Watch the video here http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-19169935

Photos courtesy of Getty Images

World celebrates Queen’s Diamond Jubilee

Participants in a Diamond Jubilee fun run in New York wearing cardboard
cut faces of Queen Elizabeth II

 British expats, Anglophiles, and royalists around the world are all one in celebrating Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee. 




In New York, a fun-run called “The Great British Run” was held at Central Park, with 600 runners all wearing cardboard cut faces of Royal Family members.


In California, Rose Tea Cottage in Pasadena held a British tea party, offering imported teas from England served in Royal memorabilia chinas. 


In Canada, a member of the Commonwealth, the government appropriated $7.4 million for the Diamond Jubilee celebrations. The celebrations peaked –literally—at the summit of Barbeau Peak, the highest point of northern Canada’s Ellesmere Island. 


In New Westminster, Vancover, The Queens Avenue United Church held a commemorative service where a choir sang songs at the Queen’s coronation. Church bells chimed afterwards 60 times, one for every year in the Queen’s reign. 


In New Zealand, where the Queen also reigns as sovereign, the Auckland War Memorial Museum hosted a free Jubilee exhibition featuring archive footage from the Queen’s first trip to New Zealand in 1953, a year after her coronation. 


Barbados also hosted a street party in St Lawrence Gap – the famed party strip on the island.

In Dubai, thousands of British expats also held their own celebrations akin to that in London, with street parties at Barasti beach.

British tea served in California

The race in on in New York

A tea house in Pasadena goes British

Elegant Royal memorabilia where teas are served

A million people cheers Queen at Diamond Jubilee finale

The British Royal Family at Buckingham Palace balcony

Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations reached its climax as the Queen, together with members of the British Royal Family, greeted a sea of crowd who gathered before the Buckingham Palace balcony in an unprecedented display of affection to the Queen who dedicated her life in the service of the people.

Millions of crowd flock in front of the palace to cheer the Queen

The British Royal Family waives at the crowd

The spectacular Red Arrows show

A flood of Union Jacks filled the Mall 

A spectacular Red Arrows show took place despite the rainy skies.  Spitfires flew overhead while a million Britons sang Land of Hope and Glory and the national anthem. The crowd wasted no chance in coming to the Mall, despite the frowning weather, to cheer on the monarch at the end of a memorable bank holiday.

With the Queen were Prince Charles, Camilla, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and Prince Harry. Only Prince Philip was missing as he remained sick in hospital at the height of the celebrations.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister David Cameron led salutes to Queen Elizabeth, declaring that the Diamond Jubilee “above politics.”

The spectacular outpouring of support to the Queen at the finale of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations

Red and blue were the color of the day

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince William at the balcony of Buckingham Palace

The amazing Red Arrows show

Queen Elizabeth II

Diamond Jubilee Concert gathers 12,000 people

Prince Charles gives a rousing tribute to her "Mummy"

More than 12,000-strong crowd gathered in front of Buckingham Palace to witness top-tier performers pay their homage to Queen Elizabeth II during the Diamond Jubilee Concert. 

Among the high-wattage performers who enjoyed the rousing adulation of crowds included Sir Paul McCartney, Robbie Williams, Kylie Minogue, Tome Jones, Elton John, Grace Jones, and Annie Lenox. 

Queen Elizabeth II arrived midway, around 9 pm, through the concert and was accompanied to her seat by Prince Charles. Sadly, Prince Philip missed the concert after he was hospitalized with bladder infection. 

The Queen was a stunner, wearing an Angela Kelly cocktail dress of gold lame adorned by Swarowski crystals. 

In an emotional yet witty speech, Prince Charles praised “Mummy” for ‘the life and service of a very special person. 

Prince Charles said: "A Diamond Jubilee is a unique and special event, some of us have had the joy of celebrating three jubilees with you, and I have the medals to prove it.

"And we're now celebrating the life and service of a very special person, over the last 60 years.

"I was three when my grandfather George VI died and suddenly, unexpectedly, you and my father's lives were irrevocably changed when you were only 26.

"So as a nation this is our opportunity to thank you and my father for always being there for us.

"For inspiring us with your selfless duty and service and for making us proud to be British.’

A rousing cheer from the crowd followed, while Princes William and Harry and the Duchess of Cambridge applauded. 

The concert kick-started with Robbie Williams singing Let Me Entertain You

Present-generation performers also graced the once-in-a-lifetime event, including Will.i.am Jessie J, JLS and Ed Sheeran

Veteran performers Sir Cliff Richards and Sir Tom Jones wooed the crowd for their immortal renditions

Sir Elton John was dressed in a sparkling bright pink coat
and a black suit and a pair of black trousers as he performed Your Song and dedicated it to the Queen

Cheryl Cole gave a powerful performance, made more interesting 

elegant strapless black gown. Together with Gary Barlow, 

who introduced her the crowd, she performed a moving

 rendition of Need You to Know. 

Unusual as ever, Grace Jones took the stage in black and red 

outfit all while hoola-hooping while singing

Annie Lennox meanwhile performed while wearing a 

shimmering silver gown and angel wings 

Leggy lady Kylie Minogue looked like a Pearly Queen of East London 

while belting out her biggest hits

Meanwhile, Shirley Bassey gave a belting performance as evening 

starts to take the sky

Sir Paul McCartney gave the closing performance and congratulated
the Queen for her “60 fantastic years” on the throne

Prince Philip hospitalized for bladder infection

Prince Philip rejoices with the crowd during the
Diamond Jubilee river pageant

Four hours of standing,  a damp weather, and chilly temperature all took their toll on Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, who was taken by ambulance from Windsor Castle, where he and Queen Elizabeth II were resting after the grueling four-hour Thames river pageant last Sunday. 

The prince was immediately rushed to the King Edward VII Hospital due bladder infection. He will be confined “for a few days,” and was said to very disappointed because was not able to join the Diamond Jubilee concert, as well as today’s engagements.

The duke also suffered bladder infection in February 2002 and underwent minor heart surgery last Christmas. He will celebrate his 91st birthday this Sunday. 

Thousands watch the Queen during the Jubilee river pageant

Three generations of royalty all gathered together to join Queen Elizabeth II while sailing down the Thames during the spectacular Diamond Jubilee river pageant. Thousands of crowd from all over Britain gathered along the river to get the best view of the Queen, while the whole world keeps their eye in London to mark the Queen’s 60th year on the throne.

The 1,000-strong flotilla that floated along the Thames was the country’s most spectacular for the last 350 years. To cheer up the event and match up with the dampened, the London Philharmonic Orchestra sang Singing in the Rain while traveling down the river. However, the flypast finale, which should have ended the river parade in awe-exciting high note was cancelled due to bad weather.

Nevertheless, rain or shine, the Diamond Jubilee river pageant broke records as the river parade with the most number of participating boats.