Queen reveals Diamond Jubilee celebrations

Buckingham Palace has confirmed details of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations in 2012.

The 60th anniversary of Elizabeth II coming to the throne will be marked with four days of events starting on June 2.

Tuesday, June 5 will be made an additional Bank Holiday in Britain and the traditional end-of-May Bank Holiday will be moved to June 4.

"Buckingham Palace will be co-ordinating a programme of events centred around the extended weekend," the government confirmed.

"This will include a Big Jubilee Lunch, a Diamond Jubilee Pageant on the Thames, a concert at Buckingham Palace and the lighting of 2012 beacons throughout the United Kingdom

"The Queen and other members of the Royal Family will also attend a Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral."

According to BBC News, the celebrations will begin on June 2 as the Queen attends the Epsom Derby. They will continue on June 3 with the Queen's Royal Barge joining a 1,000 boat flotilla on the Thames.

The jubilee concert will be televised by the broadcaster and tickets will be made available via a public ballot.

During 2012, a number of projects and exhibitions will be held to mark the jubilee, including events at Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the National Gallery and the Victoria and Albert Museum.