Looking back at the Queen's 2012 Diamond Jubilee

By Heather Cichowski

A lot has changed in the nearly 10 years since the Queen marked her Diamond Jubilee in June 2012.

When the Royal Family, United Kingdom and Commonwealth came together to celebrate Her Majesty's 60th anniversary of ascending to the throne, Prince William and Duchess Kate had been married just over a year, and Prince George wouldn't be born for another year! Prince Harry, Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice were not married.

The British royals celebrated the Diamond Jubilee anniversary throughout 2012, with many undertaking royal tours across the Commonwealth. It all culminated in spectacular celebrations on a special Bank Holiday weekend in June. The main program of the Diamond Jubilee took place from Saturday, June 2 to Tuesday June 5, 2012.

It was only the second time in history the United Kingdom had celebrated a Diamond Jubilee of a monarch.

As preparations for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee in June 2022 are already underway, we wanted to look back at the historic Diamond Jubilee events.

Scroll through the gallery (or click through if you're on desktop) to see the best moments from the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in 2012.

Photos: © Dan Kitwood/Getty Images and Kevin Coombs - WPA Pool/Getty Images

The Diamond Jubilee celebrations started with Her Majesty and other members of the Royal Family attending the Epsom Derby.

The Queen looked thrilled to be at the races and around horses, as she peered down from the Royal Box with Racing Manager John Warren (left) and her son Prince Edward.

Photo: © Samir Hussein/WireImage

Prince Philip and his granddaughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, also looked like they had a delightful time at the Epsom Derby.

Photo: © Indigo/Getty Images

On Saturday, June 3, many people came together to have a Big Jubilee Lunch, including Prince Charles and Duchess Camilla!

The event built on the Big Lunch initiative, which encourages people to have lunch with their neighbours.

The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall tucked in with members of the public at the Big Lunch Piccadilly, which saw a London street close down and a massive table set up for everyone to come together!

Photo: © Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images

Following lunch, there was the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant.

The awe-inspiring event saw 1,000 boats assembled from across the U.K., the Commonwealth and the world on the River Thames.

The rain didn't dampen anyone's spirit!

Photo: © PAUL ELLIS/AFP/GettyImages

The Queen travelled on the Royal Barge and led the flotilla. She was joined by Prince Philip, Prince Charles, Duchess Camilla and more.

Prince Harry, Duchess Kate and Prince William are seen on said Royal Barge, Spirit of Chartwell, during the pageant.

William and Harry were in military dress while the duchess wowed in a red look from Alexander McQueen.

Photo: © Matt Cardy/Getty Images

Princess Anne and her husband Commander Timothy Laurence wore military dress and waved to the crowds from their boat.

Photo: © GLYN KIRK/AFP/GettyImages

Duchess Kate's family were also seen during the pageant on the River Thames. (L-R) Charlie Gilkes, plus the duchess's father Michael Middleton, younger sister Pippa Middleton and brother James Middleton – who didn't yet have his trademark beard – were all smiles from their boat.

Photo: © Chris Jackson/Getty Images

On June 4, a star-studded concert took place at Buckingham Palace.

U.K. residents were able to enter into a ballot to attend the Diamond Jubilee Concert for free.

Paul McCartney is seen performing during the event.

Other acts included Jessie J, Robbie Williams, Take That and Elton John.

Photo: © Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

Her Majesty lit The National Beacon following the Diamond Jubilee Concert at Buckingham Palace as performers looked on.

The United Kingdom has a long tradition of celebrating royal weddings, jubilees and coronations with the lighting of beacons.

Photo: © rune hellestad/Corbis via Getty Images

The Queen was breathtaking in gold at the event and she looked elated as she waved to the crowd.

Photo: © Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

No celebration could be complete without fireworks and Buckingham Palace had a memorable display following the concert. WOW!

Photo: © Chris Jackson/Getty Images

During all the celebrations, the Queen received many letters and cards from the public sending her their best wishes in honour of her Diamond Jubilee.

Staff members at the Correspondence Office at Buckingham Palace are seen left with some of the post.

Photo: © Sean Dempsey - WPA Pool / Getty Images

The Queen and her family stepped out for a Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral in London on Tuesday, June 5.

The Duke of Edinburgh was unable to attend the remainder of Diamond Jubilee celebrations because he was admitted to hospital on the Monday for a bladder infection.

Photo: © Indigo/Getty Images

The Princesses of York were seen in beautiful shades of purple at the service.

Photo: © Indigo/Getty Images

Zara and Mike Tindall had a moment during the service.

The Diamond Jubilee took place just before the couple celebrated their one-year wedding anniversary on July 30. Like the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, they were newlyweds.

Photo: © Suzanne Plunkett - WPA Pool/Getty Images

Duchess Kate appeared to say something to brother-in-law Prince Harry while they were seated in St Paul's Cathedral.

Photo: © Suzanne Plunkett - WPA Pool/Getty Images

The Royal Family are seen leaving the cathedral following the special service.

Photo: © JEFF J MITCHELL/AFP/GettyImages

Prince Edward, the Countess of Wessex and a little Lady Louise Windsor waved as they left the Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral.

Louise was only 8 at the time!

Photo: © Matt Cardy/Getty Images

Following the Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral, the Royal Family participated in a formal carriage procession.

The Queen and Duchess Camilla looked so regal as they rode in their carriage towards Buckingham Palace.

Photo: © Sean Gallup/Getty Images

William and Kate beamed from their carriage.

The Duchess of Cambridge donned an elegant lace Alexander McQueen dress and Jane Taylor fascinator while William was in a suit and top hat.

Photo: © Kevin Coombs - WPA Pool/Getty Images

Harry grinned as he rode opposite William and Kate during the Diamond Jubilee carriage procession.

The Duke of Sussex wore a top hat, too.

Photo: © Oli Scarff/Getty Images

Thousands of well-wishers stepped out in London to participate in the celebrations.

Here, the crowd is escorted down The Mall during the Diamond Jubilee carriage procession after the Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral.

It was a staggering sight then and even more so after the coronavirus pandemic.

Photo: © Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

The grand finale of the Diamond Jubilee was seeing the Royal Family appear on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to watch the flypast.

(L-R) The Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Charles, the Queen, Prince William, Duchess Kate and Prince Harry all watched it and waved to the crowds below.

Photo: © Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

See that? Prince Harry pointed something out from the balcony to an interested Duchess Kate.

Photo: © Oli Scarff/Getty Images

This amazing aerial shot captured the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team flying in formation over Buckingham Palace as the Royal Family watched from the balcony.

Photo: © Peter Macdiarmid - WPA Pool /Getty Images

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