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 & Skills
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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
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Contacts:
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