Jubilee celebrations have begun all over the country

Most of Britain is taking part in Queen Elizabeth’s diamond jubilee celebrations as people from all over the country pay tribute to the monarch.

The extended weekend will see British people celebrate rather than work. Today marks the beginning of the four-day-long party.

Thousands of street parties coinciding with the Big Lunch highlighted the festive mood, not to mention the colourful hats, mugs and accessories that have been flying off the shelves and into the hands of proud Britons.

The highlight of the day was the launch of the Diamond Jubilee flotilla on the river Thames.

The Queen led around 1,000 ships carrying more than 20,000 people along the river from Putney in the watchful eyes of millions waving the British flag and masquerading in the nation’s colours.

Meanwhile, various parts of Britain are determined to make history with the villages of Goring and Streatley staging the longest street party. Tables will stretch from the edge of Oxfordshire, across the river Thames and into Berkshire, hosting more than 3000 guests.

Perth is hosting a kilt race as they try to beat their twin Canadian town’s record of 1,089 participants back in 2010. Around 2000 Britons in kilt were expected to show up for the record-breaking event.

Portsmouth today hosted its biggest street party ever at the city’s Guildhall square. Children took part in crown-making sessions, becoming part of the royalty for the day.

Elsewhere, sausage-tossing competitions, ping-pong ball racing, and pudding-throwing contests are at the heart of the jubilee celebration.

Rajeeb Gurung