Nov 4, 2009, 11:38 GMT
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II visited some of the sites of the 2012 Olympics in London yesterday (03.11.09).
The royal inspected the main Olympic Stadium and walked a section of the 100-meter track at the Olympic Park in east London.
It was her second visit to the site since the British capital was named host of the Olympics in 2012 four years ago.
The queen also got a sneak preview of the royal box in the 80,000-capacity stadium before planting the first of 4,000 trees planned for the park.
Athlete Sebastian Coe - who has won the Olympic 1,500-metres twice, and heads the London's organising committee - accompanied the impressed royal.
He said: "We are thrilled to welcome Her Majesty back to show the progress we've made.
"The skyline in this part of London is being changed forever and the Olympic Park will become a home to world class sport in 2012 and home to a new community afterwards."
The royal favourite is expected to open the 2012 London Games when she will be celebrating her 60th anniversary as queen - but has reportedly rejected government plans to turn the two events into a joint celebration.
The 83-year-old monarch wants a more low-key bash for her Diamond Jubilee, without public money spent on it during the recession.
A source told Britain's Daily Mail newspaper: "There have been some early-stage meetings at the Palace about what the Diamond Jubilee celebrations will comprise and at the moment the plans are being kept separate from the Olympics.
"The Queen believes Britain may well still be feeling the effects of the recession and therefore she wants something modest and reserved rather than any flashy displays of wealth. She does not want to saddle the taxpayers with huge costs.
"Besides, the Olympics are just a one-off event. The Monarch and her reign are ongoing."
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