(8 Mar 2012) Tributes poured in to Queen Elizabeth II on February 6th 2012 as she marked 60 years on the throne with a message vowing to continue serving the British people.
Dressed in a Tiffany-blue hat and colourful overcoat against the winter cold, she was greeted by well-wishers in the snow-covered town of King's Lynn at an event planned to mark Accession Day, the anniversary of the day she became queen in 1952.
Around 150 people gathered in the chilling weather by the town hall to catch sight of the monarch.
Later in the day a few had the opportunity to speak to her and present her with flowers and homemade gifts to mark her Diamond Jubilee.
Elizabeth met local dignitaries at the event and took time to see items from the town's "The Jewels of West Norfolk" exhibit.
King's Lynn's mayor, Colin Sampson, accompanied the queen during her town hall tour and gave an address to mark her visit.
He then presented her with a framed copy of his speech before she put her name to the visitor's book.
Accession Day is usually marked quietly because it also marks the anniversary of the death of Elizabeth's father, King George VI.
But it drew extra attention on Monday because this year marks the queen's Diamond Jubilee.
Only Queen Victoria had a longer reign.
Elizabeth said in a message to mark the occasion that she and her husband, Prince Philip, have been "deeply moved" to receive so many kind messages.
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On March 8th 2012 Britain's Queen Elizabeth II visited the English city of Leicester as she started an extensive UK tour to mark her Diamond Jubilee.
The queen, accompanied by her husband Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh and Kate, her granddaughter-in-law, the Duchess of Cambridge, graced several events held in her honour, in the city.
After visiting the De Montfort University and attending a special service at Leicester Cathedral, the royal party along with 162 specially invited guests had lunch at St Martins House.
Next on the agenda was a special function at Leicester town square hosted by the mayor, Peter Soulsby, where the queen received a rousing cheer from the crowd.
She unveiled a commemorative stone and then spent some time receiving flowers and greeting her well-wishers waiting behind barricades, waving Union Jack flags.
As part of celebrations to mark her 60 years on the throne, the queen, 85, and Philip, 90, will also visit Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Philip is expected to keep that schedule despite his heart scare, which required a stent over Christmas to keep his coronary arteries open.
They will not be travelling overseas as they did in earlier jubilees, but will send their children and grandchildren on official visits to many Commonwealth countries.
The festivities reach a climax in early June with a flotilla on the River Thames, a gala concert in front of Buckingham Palace and a carriage procession through the streets of London following a service of thanksgiving.
Many of the special Diamond Jubilee events like the river pageant are being paid for by charitable foundations set up to raise money for occasion.
The cost of the Jubilee concert is being paid for by the BBC, which will also have licensing rights.
Officials said that featured musicians including former Beatle Paul McCartney and singer Elton John are performing for free.
In addition, the government in 2010 set aside one (m) million pounds (1.58 million US dollars) in additional spending for Jubilee-related events even as it reduced or froze the royal budget in other areas.
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