Queen Completes Diamond Jubilee with Historic Round of Meetings
December 9, 2012
Queen Elizabeth II attended her very first Cabinet meeting yesterday on a historic visit to Downing Street, the official place of residence of the British prime minister and the chancellor of the exchequer. The queen is believed to be the first British monarch to attend a Cabinet meeting since 1781, when George III met his ministers during the American War of Independence. Her presence as an observer marked the official end of her Diamond Jubilee, the year-long celebration of her 60 years on the throne. During those 60 years, she has had 12 prime ministers, beginning with Sir Winston Churchill.
After the queen and Prime Minister David Cameron adjoined to the Foreign Office, the queen was informed that a part of Antarctica is to be named Queen Elizabeth Land in her honor. Queen Elizabeth Land is part of the British Antarctic Territory, a sector of Antarctica claimed by the United Kingdom. (Seven nations maintain claims on eight Antarctic territories.)
Queen Elizabeth II celebrated 60 years on the throne in 2012. (AP/Wide World)
Queen Elizabeth Land, a desolate area of vast mountain peaks and massive glaciers, covers 169,000 square miles (438,000 square kilometers), more than twice the size of the United Kingdom. Its coasts are inhabited by a profusion of wildlife, including great numbers of penguins and elephant seals.
Additional World Book articles:
- American Revolution
- The Queen Mother: Creator of the Modern Monarchy
- United Kingdom 1952 (a Back in Time article)
- United Kingdom 1953 (a Back in Time aticle)
