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Queen meets with crowds for Accession Day
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II waves to wellwishers during a visit to Kings Lynn Town Hall in eastern England on Feb. 6, 2012.
(Credit: Chris Radburn)She made a public appearance in Norfolk, England, on Monday at events planned to celebrate Accession Day, the anniversary of the day she became queen in 1952.
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According to the BBC, the queen first visited King's Lynn Town Hall and Dersingham Infant and Nursery School. After the tour, students honored her with a musical performance. To mark the occasion, gun salutes were held around the U.K., including a 21-gun salute at Edinburgh Castle.
And this is just the beginning.
Throughout 2012, the queen's Diamond Jubilee will be celebrated with a series of regional, national and international events.
Over the course of the year, members of the royal family - including Prince William and his wife, the Duchess of Cambridge - will fan out across the globe and travel to Commonwealth countries, including Canada, Jamaica and Belize.
The queen and Philip, also known as the Duke of Edinburgh, will stay closer to home, touring the U.K. from March to July. Philip, 90, was recently diagnosed with heart problems that may affect his future travel plans.
The 2012 Diamond Jubilee weekend will be held June 2-5, with the main highlight likely to be a huge pageant on the River Thames featuring a 1,000-strong flotilla. A gala concert is also planned.
In June, the queen will take part in a service of thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral. She'll also head up a formal carriage procession.
Other members of the Royal Family will visit the 15 other countries where the Queen is head of state, as well as some other Commonwealth countries.
Elizabeth recently wrote a message to her country, explaining, "In this special year, as I dedicate myself anew to your service, I hope that we will all be reminded of the power of togetherness and the convening strength of family, friendship and good neighborliness, examples of which I have been fortunate to see throughout my reign."
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