Low-key start as monarch marks diamond jubilee - ABC Online

ELEANOR HALL: The Queen was deliberately low key in marking the day 60 years ago when her father died and she became the British monarch.

But across the country gun salutes rang out and marching bands were out in force to celebrate her diamond jubilee.

And more celebrations are planned for later in the year.

Lisa Millar reports from London.

(Sound of gunshots)

LISA MILLAR: The gunshots rang out in Hyde Park and at the Tower of London. They're the first signs of the celebrations to come, marking an extraordinary reign - only surpassed in length by the Queen's great, great grandmother Queen Victoria.

The Queen herself was in the east of the country in King's Lynn, watching 130 school children perform a play about her six decades on the throne.

(Children sing)

She'd been greeted with cheers and applause as she arrived, the local mayor paying tribute to her dedicated and exemplary service.

And the 85-year-old has promised she'll continue serving the British people, thanking them for their support in a message released by Buckingham Palace.

She normally spends the anniversary privately. It is after all the day her father King George VI died.

She learned of his death while in Kenya, the BBC reporting every detail.

BBC NEWSREADER (archival, 1952): Efforts were made to get through on the telephone to Government House in Nairobi and to Buckingham Palace to get confirmation of the news.

At about 2:45 local time, the truth was known.

The Duke went to the Princess and broke it to her. In the words of a member of the household, she bore it like a Queen.

LISA MILLAR: While her popularity may have dipped after the death of Princess Diana, there's widespread admiration for the Queen.

The prime minister David Cameron thanked her for her magnificent service and for guiding the nation with dignity and quiet authority.

And outside the Palace on this anniversary tourists like Peter and Debbie Regan from Wales were happy to call themselves royalists.

PETER REGAN: I think she's been completely dedicated. I think she's been a tremendous person for the country as a whole.

DEBBIE REGAN: I think she's amazing person, certainly enough for the country and also for the head of the state and also around the world.

LISA MILLAR: And Canadians Len and Gail Rivers were excited to learn they were visiting Buckingham Palace on the anniversary.

LEN RIVERS: Well, we think she's wonderful. We feel she's represented the Commonwealth, which includes out country Canada, extremely well over the years with great dignity and grace.

GAIL RIVERS: It's beautiful and I wanted to see the balcony from which we've seen so many waves over the years and it's lovely. We're going to explore it a little more.

LISA MILLAR: Members of the Royal family will tour throughout the Commonwealth this year to mark the jubilee.

The Queen and Prince Philip will stay closer to home, attending ceremonies and events in the United Kingdom.

This is Lisa Millar in London for The World Today.