* YOU BEEN SNAP BLOG * YAKULETEA MPANGO MZIMA WA QUEEN'S DIAMOND JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS: TODAY 06-02-2011"

*MKILETEWA HAPA NA MISS FB*

Normally she is serenaded by a rousing verse or two of the National Anthem.

Today it was an unorthodox, but nonetheless very enthusiastic, rendition of The Time Warp from The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Still, the Queen looked pleased as punch at the warmth of the welcome she received from the children at Dersingham Infant and Nursery School in Norfolk, close to her Sandringham estate.

It was a very special day for the 85-year-old monarch, the 60th anniversary of her accession to the throne. Normally the Queen prefers to spend the day privately for it also, of course, marks the death of her beloved papa, King George V1.

Happy anniversary: The Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations began with a visit to Kings Lynn town hall in Norfolk, this morning;

Dedicated: The 85-year-old monarch met local dignitaries and toured the town hall ahead of her visit to nearby Dersingham Infant and Nursery School this afternoon;

The Queen was famously in Kenya part-way through a gruelling commonwealth tour when she learned of her father’s sudden death and had little time to mourn the gentle man she adored.

Yesterday it is understood that she marked the anniversary of his passing at a private church service before making a break with tradition by attending a series of public events to commemorate her Diamond Jubilee.

First there was a visit to King’s Lynn town hall where she was greeted by cheering members of the public.

Dressed in a grey and while wool coat flecked with brilliant turquoise and an eye-catching matching hat by her senior dresser, Angela Kelly, the Queen also wore diamond and pearl shell brooch that belonged to her late mother, as she smiled and waved to the crowd.

Someone's been practising: A pupil at Dersingham Infant and Nursery School in Norfolk, bows to the Queen during her visit to the school this afternoon;

There's always one... A pupil at the school mimics a photographer as his teacher points out work by the class to the Queen;

Fans: Lyrics from the National Anthem featured on one fan's poster tied to railings in King's Lynn, while another simply read: 'We love you Maam' The Queen has said how she and Prince Phillip have been 'deeply moved' by the public's support;

Jubilation: Despite the cold weather, well wishers gathered to greet the Queen outside King's Lynn Town Hall this morning;

BBC'S HUW EDWARDS WILL ANCHOR JUBILEE COVERAGE

Newsreader Huw Edwards has landed the role of anchor for the BBC's live coverage of Diamond Jubilee weekend celebrations.
Edwards has increasingly become the voice of major state occasions and led the royal wedding broadcast last year.
Details of some of the live events - to be held over the first weekend in June - will be announced in the coming days.
A peak audience of 19.8 million viewers watched Edwards's coverage of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's wedding in April last year.
He said today: 'We want viewers to enjoy our coverage of the diamond jubilee as much as they did last year's royal wedding, and I feel honoured to be included in the BBC's plans.'
BBC1 controller Danny Cohen said: 'Huw is a tremendous broadcaster, loved by viewers right across the UK.'

Fittingly, for the notoriously frugal monarch, it was not specially commissioned for the landmark event but an outfit she first sported last year on a visit to the Guinness brewery in Dublin.

Inside she listened as the town’s mayor, Colin Sampson, paid a fulsome tribute to her ‘dedicated and exemplary service to the people of this country and the Commonwealth.’

She was then shown an exhibition of local artifacts including, touchingly, a certificate of her father’s birth which also took place at Sandringham House.

But there was also time for some fun, this time at the snow-covered primary school less than a mile from her home.

Although a planned walkabout had to be cancelled due to the inclement weather, a sizeable crowd of locals cheered and waved union flags as the Queen arrived.

The school’s 130 pupils, who wrote to the Queen last year and asked her to visit, had been given just a fortnight’s notice but had clearly taken the Diamond Jubilee to their hearts.

One class took a rather unusual approach to the theme and turned their room into a ‘royal laundry’, with large bloomers hanging from a line and white undergarments stuck to the ceiling – all inspired by the The Queen’s Knickers by Nicholas Allan, a sweetly irreverent book about a little girl who imagines what royal underwear the monarch might wear for a school visit.

It was a rather unorthodox display but the monarch, a seen-it-all grandmother and great-grandmother, took it all in her stride and said simply: ‘Oh, they’re doing the washing!’

After a tour of the school she was taken into an assembly room for a 15-minute song-filled play about the changes that have occurred during her six remarkable decades on the throne.

All 130 pupils took part, some wearing fancy dress appropriate to each period, such as rock and roll-style prom dresses from the 50s and glitter laden suits from the 1970s.

It wasn’t clear whether the Queen recognised some of the musical numbers such as the Time Warp, but she certainly looked to be enjoying herself.

Grand entrance: The public and workers wait with anticipation as the Queen is led through King's Lynn town hall by mayor Colin Sampson;

EXTRA 4,000 TICKETS FOR JUBILEE PAGEANT

Demand for tickets for the Queen's Pageant was so high when they went on sale back in November that the event sold out within three days.
Now extra tickets have gone on sale. An additional evening has been added to the event format for the Diamond Jubilee Pageant on Saturday, May 12, creating an extra 4,000 tickets.
The Diamond Jubilee Pageant will now take place over four consecutive evenings at Windsor Castle from May 10. Tickets went on sale today.
To get yours visit www.diamond-jubilee-pageant.com

Afterwards she was given a collection of gifts by the youngsters, including a ‘light catcher’ for her garden at Sandringham, a posy of flowers and a jubilee gown made from recycled goods.

Headteacher Mrs Gayle Platt said: ‘I am always proud of my children here but today especially. They have done brilliantly. It has been rather surreal but I think the Queen really enjoyed herself.’

Performer Gracie Milner, seven, added: ‘It was a little bit scary but exciting to see her.’

One well wisher who lined up on the pavement to catch a glimpse of the Queen was Mary Relph, who has followed the royals for 64 years and even received a piece of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's wedding cake as a thank you for her loyalty.

Mrs Relph, who lives in Norfolk, said: 'The Queen has always been very good to me and always takes the time to acknowledge us.'

Laura Skrzynski, who has been following the Queen for 21 years, travelled from London to catch a glimpse of the Monarch.

'I love that the monarchy is above politics and feel that the Queen represents that best of all,' she said.

'She stands for integrity and respect and I am inspired by her faith. She has been a constant through all our lives.'

Up in Scotland a 21-Gun Royal Salute was held at Edinburgh Castle at noon. In London a 41-gun salute was carried out in Hyde Park and a 62-gun salute at the Tower of London by The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery the Honourable Artillery Company as is tradition on accession day.

At the Tower of London 62 rounds were fired at ten second intervals on three L118 Ceremonial Light Guns, similar to those currently used in Afghanistan.

A Royal Salute normally comprises 21 guns, increased to 41 if fired from a Royal Residence, The Tower of London, 62 rounds are fired from the Tower on Royal anniversaries.

Parade: Hundreds turned out along St John's Wood High Street in London today to watch soldiers from the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery leave their nearby barracks for the last time before heading to Hyde Park for a 41-gun Royal Salute;

Big entrance: The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery trot into position in Hyde Park, London, ahead of their 41-gun Royal salute;

Bringing out the big guns: Gunners from The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery fired a 41-gun salute in a snowy Hyde Park, London, as is tradition on accession day;

3,2,1: Dressed up in coats and wooly hats members of the public watched as the traditional guns were loaded and fired;

Double time: Meanwhile the Heavy Cavalry and Cambrai Band, based in Catterick, marched through Museum Gardens, York, today during a 21-gun Royal Salute;

The Queen has already marked her milestone of 60 years on the throne by renewing her pledge to serve the nation and its people.

Echoing the famous words she delivered when a young princess in the 1940s, she vowed to 'dedicate myself anew to your service'.

In a heartfelt Diamond Jubilee message to the nation, the Queen thanked all those who had given 'wonderful support and encouragement' to her and the Duke of Edinburgh over the past six decades.

She said she and Philip had been 'deeply moved' by the many kind messages they had received about her 60-year milestone, and her statement carried a unifying message as she hoped this 'special year' would remind the nation of the 'convening strength of family, friendship and good neighbourliness'.

Boom: Soldiers from the Honourable Artillery Company fire blank rounds during the 62-gun Royal Salute at the Tower of London in front of Tower Bridge today;

Marking the occasion: At the Tower of London 62 rounds were fired at ten second intervals on three L118 Ceremonial Light Guns, similar to those currently used in Afghanistan. A Royal Salute normally comprises 21 guns, increased to 41 if fired from a Royal Residence, but 62 rounds are fired from the Tower on Royal anniversaries;

Standing on ceremony: HRH Prince Michael of Kent, Master Gunner of the Tower of London, left, walks with the new chief Yeoman of the Tower Alan Kingshott, right, ahead of the 62-gun Royal Salute at the Tower today;

Starting with a bang: Earlier in Scotland, a 21-gun Royal Salute was carried out by the 105 Regiment Royal Artillery at Edinburgh Castle

Salute: And in Portsmouth, specialist Royal Navy gunnery instructors fired a 21-gun Royal Salute from Fort Blockhouse in Gosport

The 85-year-old's statement of intent to continue to serve the nation reveals she has lost none of her desire to fulfil her role as head of state despite her advancing years.

Prime Minister David Cameron led tributes to the Queen, highlighting her 'magnificent service' and how she has guided and united the country and Commonwealth with her 'experience, dignity and quiet authority'.

He added: 'You sometimes hear people talk as if the monarchy was simply a glittering ornament, a decoration on our national life.

Celebrate: The public were treated to a lavish firework display in Greenwich, London, last night to mark the eve of Royal celebrations

Historic: Greenwich was celebrating a weekend of fireworks and celebrations to mark it becoming a royal borough

STAMPS TO MARK THE OCCASION

The Royal Mail has also marked the Diamond Jubilee by updating the design of the 1st class stamp.
Its traditional gold background has been replaced with a blue colour scheme and the words 'Diamond Jubilee' highlighted in iridescent ink.
The stamp will revert back to its original design in 2013 but is likely to become a collectors’ item with both the public and avid philatelists.
It is one of six 1st class definitive stamps - all featuring official portraits of the Queen - being issued today to mark the monarch’s milestone

'That misunderstands our constitution and it under-estimates our Queen. Always dedicated, always resolute and always respected, she is a source of wisdom and continuity.'

When the Queen acceded to the throne as a young woman following the death of her father on February 6 1952, the country was almost unrecognisable from today.

Britain was still gripped by rationing, and the country bore the scars of six years of war against the Nazis.

Five years earlier, during a visit to South Africa, on her 21st birthday - April 21 - she had vowed to serve the Commonwealth.

Princess Elizabeth, as she was then, said: 'I declare before you all that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong.'

The Queen, obviously conscious of this pledge, said in her message released today: '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 as we join together in our celebrations.'

In a BBC interview, Lady Penn, a friend of the Queen since they were both 20, summed up the monarch's qualities.

'She's got a very deep faith which is, I think, very important in her life. She's very kind. She has a lot of common sense and great wisdom, she really has.

'Somebody said to me the other day that she has been the still small voice of calm in a really social revolution in this country over the last 60 years - and she has.'

A collection of rare royal photographs by Cecil Beaton will be on display at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London for its Diamond Jubilee exhibition from this week.

The 60 photographs on show alongside the photographer's diaries and letters include behind the scenes shots of the day of the Coronation in 1953 and contact sheets of scenes such as wartime bomb damage at Buckingham Palace.

There is also rare colour footage of Coronation day and an amusingly reverential TV announcement of the birth of Prince Charles.

Beaton, who died in 1980, initially photographed the Queen Mother, who then recommended him to her daughter.

Graceful: The late photographer Cecil Beaton shot this picture entitled: the Queen in Coronation Robes, in June 1953. It is now part of a 60-print show to mark the Diamond Jubilee at the V&A Museum in London;