Queen Elizabeth II kicked off her Diamond Jubilee celebrations by attending Epsom Derby with other members of the royal family.

The Queen received a rapturous welcome as the royal motorcade made its way onto the course, and she was greeted by Katherine Jenkins’ rendition of the National Anthem as she emerged from her car. In addition to her husband, she was also joined by several of her relatives, including the Duke of York, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, and Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.

The Queen is a keen horsewoman, and the Epsom Derby is one of the highlights of her year. In past years, she has had a horse in the race, and it is said that winning the Derby is one of her fondest ambitions. She has already won the 1,000 Guineas, the 2,000 Guineas, the Oaks, and the St. Leger. Last year, her horse Carleton House came in third.

“She’s incredibly knowledgeable. Her knowledge of thoroughbreds and breeding goes way back,” said Anthony Cane, chairman of Epsom Downs Racecourse.

Epsom had a carnival atmosphere this year, with a dramatic parachute fall by the British Army’s Red Devils taking place shortly before she arrived. Spectators were treated to a performance by Ashleigh Butler and her dog, the winners of Britain’s Got Talent. There were also stiltwalkers dressed as guardsmen, complete with trademark red tunics and bearskin hats.

Today’s race is traditionally called the Coronation Cup, but it has been renamed the Diamond Jubilee Coronation Cup. After the race, the Queen presented the trophy to trainer Aiden O’Brien. His horse, St. Nicholas Abbey, also won last year.

Elsewhere in Britain, the start of the Jubilee was marked by a 41-gun salute in London, and 21-gun salutes in Cardiff, Edinburgh and Belfast. On Sunday, the Queen will take part in a pageant on the Thames that will see over 1,000 boats sailing down river. On Monday, there will be a picnic for 10,000 members of the public at Buckingham Palace, followed by a pop concert featuring such luminous names as Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Tom Jones, Sir Elton John, Robbie Williams, and Stevie Wonder. Come nightfall, 2,012 beacons will be lit across the country. The Jubilee celebrations will conclude on Tuesday with a Service of Thanksgiving at St. Paul’s Cathedral, after which the Queen will attend a reception in her honor hosted by the Lord Mayor of London at Mansion House. Meanwhile, millions of her subjects will take part in street parties and other local events.

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Less than a year ago Kate Middleton, known as Catherine to the royal family, became a part of a royal fairy tale when she married her prince charming, heir to the throne of England, Prince William. Prince William and Prince Edward have been extremely protective over Kate as she adapts to life in the public eye. But it’s now apparent that Kate can hold her own, and has proven herself by living up to the royal family’s expectations.

William, who arrived home last week after spending seven weeks in the Falkland Islands serving his duties in the Air Force, was greeted by Kate at the airbase where she welcomed her husband home. It was the longest time the royal couple has been apart since their nuptials on April 29, 2011. With much concern of how Kate would fare on her own, it has been shown that Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, was meant for royalty.

While William was gone, Kate proved herself time and time again that she was born for the role she is playing. She engaged in several royal engagements, as well as charity events. And during those seven weeks, Kate even made her first solo royal speech. With grace and poise she gave a public speech at the opening of the East Anglia Children’s Hospice, located just outside of London. Before giving her speech, Kate was greeted by 600 fans.

Kate, who even wrote the speech herself, admitted she had a “pre-conceived idea as to what to expect,” and by adding that “it was far from being a clinical depressing place for sick children, it was a home. Most importantly, it was a family home, a happy place of stability, support and care. It was a place of fun.”

During her speech Kate also recognized her husband by stating, “I’m only sorry that my husband couldn’t be here today. He would love it here.” And with William gone for almost two months, it gave Kate a chance to get close to the one she is bound to impress the most, the Queen of England, Queen Elizabeth.

The queen has invited Kate to several official public engagements recently, something that she never invited Princess Diana to do in her first year of marriage to Prince Edward. Of the appearances, Kate joined the Queen and Prince Philip as they kicked off the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Tour. Kate has also recently been by the queen’s side for royal appearances in London at both Fortnum and Mason.

Prince Edward gave a statement to the press regarding his high opinion of Kate and her accomplishments. He stated, “Catherine is doing very well. She has taken to royal life like a duck to water. She’s very gracious and the family is very proud of her.”

Currently Kate and William are spending a lot of quality time together catching up and spending time with the newest addition to their family, a four-month-old cocker spaniel named Lupo.

William is only on short leave from duty right now, and he will soon resume his search and rescue duties at the Royal Air Force Valley. Looks like this time around, William will be less worried about Kate, as she gets another opportunity to charm the world with her compassion and care, by showing the public her dreams and plans for the betterment of society, and for the future England.

Image Courtesy of   Featureflash / Shutterstock.com

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