On February 6, 2012, His Royal Highness the Earl of Wessex was in Lancashire to attend the opening of the Blackburn Youth Zone.  This £8million complex provides the local youth with:

…an extensive sport and fitness facilities, with a multitude of sporting classes and opportunities (including tennis, hockey, netball, unihock, cricket, dodgeball), a state-of-the-art gym and a rooftop kick pitch.

An exciting and varied arts programme includes an expansive dance studio, arts and music workshops, visual arts apparatus and accredited options.

 An informal and relaxed atmosphere with a range of indoor activities and a chill-out zone.

Afterward, the Earl attended the Young Presidents’ Chapter Dinner held at the Blackburn Youth Zone.

Source: Blackburnyz

Beginning on February 8, 2012, the famous Victoria and Albert Museum in London will première the highly anticipated exhibition entitled, Queen Elizabeth II by Cecil Beaton: A Diamond Jubilee Celebration.

According to an official press release from the Victoria and Albert Museum:

The exhibition will present highlights of the V&A’s collection of Beaton’s royal photography, depicting The Queen over three decades in her roles as princess, monarch and mother. It will include a number of photographs never before seen, as well as excerpts from Beaton’s personal diaries and letters and broadcast footage.

Click here for more information about Queen Elizabeth II by Cecil Beaton: A Diamond Jubilee Celebration.  If you happen to visit or live in and around London why not visit this special exhibition… it ends on April 22, 2012.  An article from Reuters about the exhibition.

Also, there is a new book by well-known British journalist, Andrew Marr, entitled, The Real Elizabeth.  According to an official press release:

Queen Elizabeth II ascended the throne of the British monarchy on February 6, 1952 at the age of 25. Today, sixty years later, she is one of England’s longest-reigning monarchs and remains an enigma. In public, she confines herself to optimistic pieties and guarded smiles; in private, she is wry, funny, and an excellent mimic. Now, for the first time, one of Britain’s leading journalists and historians gets behind the mask and tells us the fascinating story of the Queen…

The Real Elizabeth is available now via Amazon, Barnes & Noble as well as other book shops.

Meanwhile, this evening on BBC One, Mr. Marr narrates the history of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in a new three-part documentary entitled, The Diamond Queen.  Click here for more information.

With many thanks to Amelia from the V&A Museum Press Office and Christine Choe from H.Holt and Co. for sending me the information and photos.   🙂

CNN’s Max Foster “…takes a look back at the 60-year reign…” and  life of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee

On February 6, 2012, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II spent Accession Day in Norfolk “…to mark the start of her diamond jubilee celebrations.”  The Queen did a small walkabout outside of King’s Lynn Town Hall then visited the Dersingham Primary School where the local pupils performed a song and dance number to the delight of Her Majesty.

Click the links below to watch videos and to view photos from today’s event.

• VIDEOS (Scroll down to see two more clips)
• VIDEO
• VIDEO
• Gallery Two
• Gallery One