NEW ON RADIO: BBC World Service Radio Celebrates Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee

To mark 60 years of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign BBC World Service will broadcast a number of programmes to celebrate her Diamond Jubilee year. The Queen came to the throne on 6 February 1952 and her coronation took place on 2 June 1953. Queen Victoria is the only other monarch in the history of the United Kingdom to have celebrated a Diamond Jubilee. Celebrations will run over an extended weekend from Sat 2 June – Tues 5 June.

Ros Atkins, the World Service’s main presenter for the weekend said: “The enthusiasm and affection that the British people have for the Royal Family is matched by many BBC listeners around the world. It’ll be great fun to share the excitement in London while including everyone listening in the party.”

Programmes on BBC World Service will include:

Your World: The Royal Visit
Saturday & Sunday 26-27 May; 2-3 June
Episode One: People who’ve come face to face with the Queen share their experiences. Presenter, Dzifa Gbeho tours Accra with Chris Hesse, the then President’s official photographer who followed the Queen’s every move during her first visit to Ghana in 1961. Dzifa asks why the Queen visited Ghana at this time when the country had only just gained independence. Who decides where and when the Queen travels abroad and who is in charge of organising the finer details of Royal visits? KB Asante, a retired Diplomat who witnessed the Queen’s 1961 visit shares his memories of meeting the Queen and discusses its impact. This first visit is contrasted with the Queen’s second visit to Ghana in1999. Dzifa talks to the former Minister of Education, Ekow Spio Garbrah, who was present when the Queen gave an unusually politically-pointed speech to Parliament in Accra during her 1999 visit.

Newshour Special: Sixty and Counting
26 May – 1 June
Newshour profiles seven people around the world who have been doing the same job for 60 years or more. These people reflect upon the changes that they have seen over the course of their career, both in their chosen field, and in the world around them. They also explain how they’ve managed to sustain such a long working life, what drove them and what inspired them. Plus they share the secrets of a long and happy career, how they feel in the world today, and their plans for the future.
The profiles will be broadcast within all editions of Newshour from 26 May to 1 June.

WHYS from the Royal Commonwealth Society on The Strand
Friday, 1st June, 12.00-12.30; 18.00-19.00 WAT
World Have Your Say will come from the Royal Commonwealth Society on the Strand in London.
WHYS will link-up with listeners across the Commonwealth and ask does the institution still have relevance in the modern world?

Also during the Diamond Jubilee weekend BBC World Service will bring listeners coverage of the celebrations from Saturday 2 June to Tuesday 5 June which includes:

• Epsom Derby
Friday 1st June/Saturday 2nd June
Sportsworld will be at the Epsom Downs racecourse, recording at Ladies Day on Friday, 1 June and will also cover the Queen attending the Epsom Derby on Saturday 2nd June.

• Diamond Jubilee River Pageant
Sunday 3rd June, 14.00-18.00 WAT
At high water in the afternoon of Sunday 3 June, up to a thousand boats will muster on the River Thames in preparation for Her Majesty The Queen to lead the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant. Rob Broomby will be on the Thames Riverside as the Queen embarks on The Spirit of Chartwell and joins the flotilla. Ros Atkins will report from a special Routemaster bus in Battersea Park for the afternoon, hearing from locals and visitors who have gathered to watch the Diamond Jubilee River Pageant.

• Jubilee Concert at Buckingham Palace
Monday 4 June, 19.00 – 23.00 WAT
The concert will be attended by The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh and other Members of the Royal Family. Staged in the surroundings of the Queen Victoria Memorial in front of Buckingham Palace, the concert will include classic hits and one-off collaborations from artists including Shirley Bassey, Alfie Boe, Jools Holland, Jessie J, Elton John, Tom Jones, Lang Lang, Annie Lennox, Madness, Paul McCartney, and Ed Sheeran. Ros Atkins will be commentating, whilst Chloe Tilley will be with the crowds on The Mall.

• Jubilee Beacons
Monday 4th June
Thousands of beacons will be lit around the world on Monday 4 June to commemorate Her Majesty The Queen’s 60 year reign over the UK and as Head of the Commonwealth.

• Procession & Service of Thanksgiving
Tuesday 5 June, 10.00 – 12.00 WAT
The Queen and other members of the Royal Family will attend a National Service of Thanksgiving at St. Paul’s Cathedral. It will include a prayer written, at The Queen’s direction, by the Chapter of St Paul’s Cathedral in honour of the Diamond Jubilee. Dan Damon reports from the Service with Nicholas Witchell in a special two-hour edition of World Update .

Plus, at 14.00-15.30 WAT, there will be coverage of the Royal Family travelling from Westminster Hall to Buckingham Palace by carriage along a processional route, and the Royal family appearing on the balcony. Nuala McGovern will be on The Mall talking to the crowds.