Elisabeth II will be celebrating her 60 years of reign in a few months. You have to tip your hat to that. The festivities for the Jubilee will take place around a long week-end, 4 days, aren’t we lucky, 2 public holidays in a row! No surprise the country will be cheerful.

The highlight? On June 03rd, the royal pageant will be on the Thames, followed by a thousand boats of all sizes. 30 000 flags, music, fireworks… A floating belfry was specially built and will call on the nearby church to ring their bells. Oh and there will be a gun salute on Tower Bridge too. Quite a show. Unique. Not a crowd fan? There will also be giant screens (At least the usual, Trafalgar and Hyde Park) and this will be on TV too.

1. In Windsor too, until Jan 2013, 60 photographies of the Queen, one per year of her reign, are on show.

2. From May 04 to August 31, Selfridges plays the royal card. Tiara pop-up shop, Morris dancers, designers, the Queen’s favourite brands…

3. May 11-13, Windsor will be festive: dancers, musicians, military and equestrian displays from around the world… three days in honour of the Queen

4. The National Portrait Gallery will present 60 remarquable portraits of the Queen by various artists – from Andy Warhol to Lucian Freud. From May 17 to October 21.

5. On June 03rd, the British are warmly encouraged to have lunch with friends, neighbours… Think street parties as for the Royal Wedding. Or picnics, apéritif, what you wish. The message is: meet up, share the cheerfulness.More info on The Big Lunch here.

6. Alternatively, on June 03rd, the Royal Albert Hall proposes a fun concert looking back on the best songs and music of the last 60 years.

7. On June 03, Piccadilly will turn into a giant party: decked out in bunting, bringing the spirit of the traditional English summer fête to the centre of London. There will be entertainments – craft stalls, fairground rides, vintage cars, brass bands, tea dances and much more – and a 500-seat table will be set up along the length of Piccadilly, where guests can enjoy a homemade picnic or buy food from the many stalls and shops that will line the street.

8. On June 04, the BBC organises a concert at Buckingham:Shirley Bassey, Alfie Boe, Jools Holland, Jessie J, JLS, Elton John, Tom Jones, Lang Lang, Annie Lennox, Madness, Paul McCartney, Cliff Richard et Ed Sheera seront au rendez-vous. More will be announced later. The guest will be able to join a picnic in the palace gardens afterwards. How to join? Per complete luck. Register on the BBC website between Feb. 07 and March 02 and your name might get drawn. Tickets cannot be transferred to anyone else and kids younger than 13 cannot join. No worries, the show will be on TV too.

9. Still on the 04th, beacons will be lit all around the country that evening. The aim is of course to reach 2012. The Queen will light the National Beacon 9if I am not mistaken on the HMS Victory). More info here.

10. Fancy enjoying the festive atmosphere in a pub? Try the Water Poet. On June the  04, there will be music, British food, barbecue, routemaster turned into a vintage shop… Almost a street party!

11. On the 05th, the Queen will join a thanksgiving ceremony at St Paul’s (with of course a carriage procession).

12. From June 30 to october 07, Buckingham will be showing the Queen’s jewels, diamonds included. A few dates are closed to the public, so do check before going.

A little history:
* Have a read. You will be unbeatable for the next pub royal quizz with the Queen Mother’s biography. Fancy a lighter style? Try The Uncommon Reader– will put a smile on your face : the Queen discovers a passion for reading and this shakes her routine world.

* Choose a rainy day to go and see The King’s Speech. This funny and moving films depicts the life of George VI, the actual Queen’s father. An interesting piece of history, sprinkled with tenderness and anecdotes. Amazing to see the young Queen Mother, Elisabeth II and Margaret as kids, Winston Churchill… together.

For the smile:
* Have a closer look at the royal carriages.
* A green itinerary of 60km is dedicated to the Jubilee.
* Cheer with a pint at the Windsor Castle, a pub in Marylebone -  a wall is dedicated to the Royal Family.
* Try a walk on royal weddings -  so full of fun anecdotes.
* You can stop at Mme Tussaud and pose with the Royal family. Kate’s there too.
* Until the end of June, The Andaz Hotel celebrates the British Queens, with a different one inspiring the treats each month. In March, it is all about Elisabeth I and her New World connections. A must try!
* Planning a Jubilee party? The perfect picnic plate and napkin set is here.