The Queen's diamonds

A collection of 10,000 gems is going on show to the public at Buckingham Palace to mark the Queen's 60 years on the throne.

Live updates

Meridian

Couple go potty for the Queen

Now what do you get when you cross a keen gardner with a Royalist?

The answer is this!

A couple from Fifield in Berkshire have installed two giant busts of the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh in their front garden for all to see.

The statues, which are made from plaster and terracotta, stand at 12 feet tall and are complete with wrinkles, blemishes and even the Duke's bald patch.

Advertisement

National

Singer Kate Bush receives CBE from the Queen

Kate Bush, one of Britain's most unique and innovative singers, was made a CBE by the Queen today and dedicated the honour to her family and musical collaborators.

From precocious teenager, whose first single Wuthering Heights was a number one, to veteran musician who released her award-winning 10th studio album in 2011, her talent has stood the test of time.

Kate Bush receives her CBE from Queen Elizabeth II during an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle in Windsor. Credit: Lewis Whyld/PA Wire

But she joked after receiving the honour that the award would now have pride of place - at the top of her Christmas tree.

She declined to speak to the waiting press after being made a CBE by the Queen during a Windsor Castle investiture ceremony but issued a short statement.

Kate Bush shakes hands with the Queen at the investiture ceremony. Credit: Lewis Whyld/PA Wire/Press Association Images

Bush, who was dressed in dark flowing robes, said: "I feel incredibly thrilled to receive this honour which I share with my family, friends and fellow musicians and everyone who has been such an important part of it all.

"Now I've got something really special to put on top of the Christmas tree."

National

The Queen and Margaret Thatcher through the years

The Queen, Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher at Buckingham Palace in 1984. Credit: PA Archive/Press Association Images
The Queen and Margaret Thatcher enter Claridge's together in 1995. Credit: Adam Butler/PA Archive/Press Association Images
The Queen and Margaret Thatcher at the National Portrait Gallery in 2000. Credit: Fiona Hanson/PA Archive/Press Association Images
The Queen and Margaret Thatcher shake hands at at the Falkland Islands Memorial Chapel at Pangbourne College in Berkshire in 2007. Credit: Jeremy Selwyn/PA Archive/Press Association Images

Advertisement

National

Ring-a-royal phonebox outside Windsor Castle

A phone box with images of Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Harry and the Duchess of Cambridge is on display outside Windsor Castle in Berkshire. Credit: PA Wire
The phonebox has been designed and painted by TV star Timmy Mallett and been named 'Ring-a-Royal-Phonebox'. Credit: PA Wire
An image of Prince Harry appears on the phone box in Windsor, Berkishire. Credit: PA Wire
Load more updates

Advertisement

Today's top stories