British Queen Celebrates Diamond Jubilee

Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II celebrated 60 years as a monarch on February 6th. She ascended to the throne of the United Kingdom in 1953, when she was a 25-year-old princess. The 85-year-old queen spent the day on official duties. She toured the town of King’s Lynn in the east of England. The local mayor opened the celebrations to mark her diamond jubilee. Queen Elizabeth herself launched a new website that shows how much the world has changed during her six-decade reign. Bigger celebrations are scheduled to take place in the U.K. in the summer. There will be a 1,000-ship pageant on the River Thames and a concert at Buckingham Palace.
During Her Royal Highness’ reign, there have been 12 British prime ministers, 12 American presidents and six popes. She has also owned 60 corgis (her favourite dog). The diamond jubilee website says she has answered approximately 3.5 million letters. The queen promised her citizens that she would "dedicate myself anew to your service". She also said: "I hope also that this Jubilee year will be a time to give thanks for the great advances that have been made since 1952 and to look forward to the future with clear head and warm heart." The queen is still very popular with British people, despite a downturn in her popularity after the death of Princess Diana in 1997. (Breaking News English)