Published 6 February 2012
Eighty-six-year-old Queen Elizabeth II is marking her Diamond Jubilee this year. Elizabeth, who took up the throne after her father, George VI, died on February 6, 1952, is Britain's longest-serving monarch after Queen Victoria, who reigned for more than 63 years. Special events and festivities have been planned to mark the occasion, with a special four-day weekend on June 2-5.