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5 Jan 2010 03:33 PM
National Celebrations for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee

News Release issued by the COI News Distribution Service on 05 January 2010

An extra bank holiday will be part of the celebrations to mark Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012, Lord Mandelson, President of the Privy Council, announced today.

The Government is planning celebrations to mark this historic occasion which include:

· An additional bank holiday in June 2012:

The holiday will involve moving the late May Bank Holiday to Monday 4 June and adding an extra bank holiday on Tuesday 5 June to form a long weekend of celebration.

· A Diamond Jubilee Medal:

In keeping with the Queen’s Silver and Golden Jubilees, a Diamond Jubilee medal will be issued to mark the occasion. This is currently under consideration, including the likely recipients, and further details will be announced in due course.

· A competition for civic honours:

A UK-wide competition for towns to bid for city status, launching in Spring 2010. The competition will include a Lord Mayoralty or Lord Provostship.

Lord President of the Privy Council, Lord Mandelson said:

“The Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II will be a truly historic occasion.

“I know the entire country will want to pay their tributes to Her Majesty and to look back with pride and great affection at the many things she has achieved during her reign.

“This special Diamond Jubilee weekend will also be an opportunity to reflect on the incredible changes that have taken place during that time, both at home and around the world.”

In addition, the Queen has agreed to confer Royal Borough status on the London Borough of Greenwich to mark the Jubilee. This rare honour is to be bestowed in recognition of the close links between Greenwich and Royalty, from the Middle Ages to the present day. It also acknowledges the Borough’s global significance as the home of the Prime Meridian, Greenwich Mean Time and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Notes to Editors

1. A programme of events for the Jubilee Weekend in June will be organised by Buckingham Palace. Further details will be announced nearer the time. Within Government, as for the Golden Jubilee in 2002, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) is responsible for co-ordinating the Government-led aspects of the celebrations. Lord Mandelson is the lead Government Minister.

2. The Queen celebrated her Silver Jubilee in 1977 and her Golden Jubilee in 2002. The only other British monarch to celebrate a Diamond Jubilee was Queen Victoria in 1897.

3. The Golden Jubilee Medal was given to serving members of the regular and reserve Armed Forces and Royal Fleet Auxiliary and cadet officers with a minimum of 5 years reckonable service. It was also awarded, under the same qualifying criteria, to members of the emergency services: the police, fire and ambulance services, the Coastguard, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, and the Mountain Rescue service. Additionally, members of the Royal Household; and living holders of the Victoria Cross and George Cross received the Golden Jubilee Medal. In 2005, it was decided to extend qualification to all operational members of HM Prison Service with at least five years’ service.

4. Members of the public who want to find out more can visit the Diamond Jubilee website at: www.culture.gov.uk/diamondjubilee

5. Lord Mandelson was appointed Lord President of the Privy Council on 5 June 2009. In this role he presides at Privy Council meetings, including any Emergency Privy Councils; considers for approval a number of Statutory Orders concerning Health Care, Veterinary, and Scottish Higher Education matters; as a member of the Privy Council Committee for the Affairs of Jersey and Guernsey, reviews Laws and Orders relating to the Islands, and makes recommendations to Her Majesty concerning their approval; deals with Ministerial correspondence and Parliamentary Questions relating to Privy Council Business, such as the appointment of High Sheriffs.

6. For further information please contact the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills Press Office on 0207 215 5950

Queries about Civic Honours and Greenwich please contact the Ministry of Justice Press Office on 020 3334 3536

Queries about the Diamond Jubilee Medal please contacts the Ministry of Defence Press Office on 0207 218 5903

Buckingham Palace Press Office 020 7930 4832

Greenwich Council Press Office 0208 921 6101

Department for Business, Innovation &amp; Skills

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) is building a dynamic and competitive UK economy by: creating the conditions for business success; promoting innovation, enterprise and science; and giving everyone the skills and opportunities to succeed. To achieve this it will foster world-class universities and promote an open global economy. BIS - Investing in our future.

Contacts:

BIS Press Office
NDS.BIS@coi.gsi.gov.uk

Joanna Robotham
Phone: 020 7215 5950
Joanna.Robotham@bis.gsi.gov.uk