Royal Watch News

Queen Elizabeth has no plans to abdicate

Feb 6, 2012, 18:43 GMT

Queen Elizabeth

Britain's Queen Elizabeth has vowed to serve her country until the day she dies.

The 85-year-old monarch - who came to the throne 60 years ago today (06.02.12) following the death of her father King George VI - says she has no intention to abdicate wants to reign for the rest of her life.

She said in a statement: 'In this special year, as I dedicate myself anew to your service, I hope that we will all be reminded of the power of togetherness and the convening strength of family, friendship and good neighbourliness.

'I hope also that this jubilee year will be a time to give thanks for the great advances that have been made since 1952 and to look forward to the future with clear head and warm heart as we join together in our celebrations.'

In the statement, issued by Buckingham Palace, the queen says she and husband Prince Philip have been 'deeply moved to receive so many kind messages about the diamond jubilee'.

Yesterday (05.02.12), the queen and Philip attended church near their estate in Sandringham, Norfolk, as the couple prepared for the anniversary.

The royal couple were offered flowers by children following the service, with one young boy even offering a packet of Werther's Originals to Philip.

Today, the queen will spend the anniversary of her accession in public, conducting a series of engagements close to Sandringham, after a private mass at which she will remember her beloved father.