BRITAIN: Queen Elizabeth of Britain is marking the 50th anniversary of her coronation today with a commemorative service at Westminster Abbey in London.
The queen will be accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh and senior members of the royal family. The service will also be attended by the Prime Minister Mr Tony Blair, cabinet ministers and Commonwealth leaders.
Queen Elizabeth II was the 39th sovereign to be crowned at Westminster Abbey in 1953 and her coronation was marked by street parties and celebrations in Britain.
On the morning of June 2nd, 1953, an estimated three million people lined the streets of central London, with another 20 million watching on television, as the state coach carrying the queen and the Duke of Edinburgh made its way from Buckingham Palace to the coronation ceremony at the abbey.
Following today's service, the queen will host a children's tea party for over 500 underprivileged children.