British High Commissioner Louise J Stanton OBE hosted a gala dinner at her residence in San Pawl tat-Targa on 6 February to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the accession of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to the throne.

The Prime Minister and Mrs Gonzi, the Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Tonio Borg, President Emeritus Eddie Fenech Adami, President Emeritus Ugo Mifsud Bonnici and Mrs Mifsud Bonnici, and the Australian High Commissioner Anne Quinane were among the distinguished guests attending the dinner.

The dinner was preceded by grace said by the Reverend Canon Simon Godfrey, who had composed a special grace for the occasion.

The menu was carefully designed to incorporate a Royal and Jubilee theme. Coronation chicken salad, a creation of florist Constance Spry and chef Rosemary Hume, prepared for the banquet of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953, was served as a starter. Strawberries Jubilee, a modern take on Cherries Jubilee, was served for dessert. It was designed by the famous chef, Auguste Escoffier, to celebrate one of Queen Victoria’s Jubilee celebrations, though it is unclear whether it was for the Golden Jubilee of 1887 or the Diamond Jubilee in 1897.

Following dinner, British High Commissioner Louise J Stanton proposed a loyal toast to The Queen, and praised Her Majesty for her magnificent service:

“So on this day 60 years ago, Elizabeth became our Queen. I deliberately use the word ‘our’ because of course Her Majesty is also Queen of Australia, and was also the Queen of Malta until 1974, a title which has special significance for Her Majesty, given that she considers it her second home. Throughout the past 60 years, her wisdom, compassion and dedication to duty have garnered support and affection from all over the Commonwealth and wider world. It is with pride and humility that I serve my Queen, and I am delighted that you have been able to join me on this joyful occasion. I would now like to ask you to be upstanding for the toast: The Queen!”

The Australian High Commissioner for Malta Anne Quinane proposed a toast to the President of Malta George Abela.

As a lasting tribute to HM’s lifetime of giving to others, the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust was launched on Monday 6 February as a celebration of her 60 years on the throne and as Head of the Commonwealth – a family of 54 nations with 2 billion citizens. The Trust will give citizens and governments across the Commonwealth and beyond the opportunity to create a lasting tribute to Her Majesty. Prime Minister Cameron announced that the British Government is donating £50 million to the fund, which will be used to the benefit of Commonwealth citizens, delivering iconic projects that are a fitting and enduring tribute to The Queen.

The Queen came to the throne on 6th February 1952 although her Coronation took place on 2nd June 1953. The Central Weekend to celebrate The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee takes place from Saturday 2 June to Tuesday 5 June 2012, with celebratory activities throughout the United Kingdom and across the Commonwealth.

The Diamond Jubilee Pageant will take place on 10, 11 and 13 May 2012 in Windsor. The Diamond Jubilee Pageant is a major event marking The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in the presence of Her Majesty. Dancers, musicians, military and equestrian displays from around the world will come together for three nights in a performance to pay tribute to 60 spectacular years of Her Reign.

The Queen, accompanied by The Duke of Edinburgh, will mark the Diamond Jubilee with a series of regional visits and engagements throughout the United Kingdom during 2012.

Members of the Royal Family will travel overseas representing The Queen throughout the Diamond Jubilee year, visiting every Realm as well as undertaking visits to Commonwealth countries, Crown Dependencies and British Overseas Territories.

HRH The Duke of Gloucester will be visiting Malta as part of the Diamond Jubilee Programme of Royal visits in 2012.