The Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II marked an extraordinary moment in British history, celebrating six decades of steadfast service, national continuity and global influence. At the heart of these celebrations was the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant, a spectacular flotilla of 1,000 boats that transformed the River Thames into a moving tribute to the Queen’s reign and Britain’s rich maritime heritage. As official publishing partner to the Thames Diamond Jubilee Foundation, St James’s House played a central role in capturing the spirit, significance and splendour of this historic national occasion.
In partnership with the Foundation, St James’s House produced both the official event programme and The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee 2012 Souvenir Album, a beautifully crafted commemorative volume celebrating Her Majesty’s 60 years on the throne. Rich in historical insight and visual storytelling, the book reflects on the defining moments of the Queen’s reign against the backdrop of profound social, political and cultural change across Britain and the wider world. Elegant in design and ambitious in scope, it stands as a lasting tribute to the major royal milestone.
The publication combines authoritative commentary with striking photography and archival material to create a vivid portrait of modern royal and national history. Readers are guided through royal jubilees, Commonwealth life and landmark world events from 1952 to 2012, alongside intimate reflections on the Queen’s personal journey as monarch. Complementing the book, the official pageant programme featured an exclusive foreword from the then Prince of Wales, a fascinating history of the Thames by historian Simon Schama, an illustrated river map by artist Peter Kent and captivating stories of the vessels that formed the magnificent flotilla at the heart of the celebrations.
