Alan Titchmarsh is ambassador for Diamond Jubilee spectacular

Hundreds of horses and performers from across the world will come together for a “spectacular” Diamond Jubilee Pageant to celebrate the 250 State and Commonwealth visits the Queen has made during her reign, it was revealed today.
By The Newsroom
Published 1st Nov 2011, 14:35 BST

Yorkshire celebrity gardener Alan Titchmarsh is an ambassador for “The World Comes To Windsor” which aims to take the audience on a journey around the world in 90 minutes and will include more than 500 horses and 800 performers.

The public event will take place over three evenings at Windsor Castle in May 2012 and the Queen is set to attend the final show.

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It will open with displays from the Mounted Band of the Household Cavalry Regiment and the King’s Troop, Royal Horse Artillery.

The show will then travel around the world featuring performances from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Mexican singers and dancers, Cook Island dancers, New South Wales Mounted Police and Aborigines, Dhol drummers and dancers and the Omani Mounted Activity Ride.

Ambassadors Angela Rippon and Alan Titchmarsh attended a launch event at the Royal Mews in central London this morning.

Ms Rippon said: “It has been very clear that the Queen’s private passion for horses and everything equestrian has spilled over into her public life as our Queen and that’s why, I think, that the World Comes To Windsor ticks all the boxes.

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She added: “What this event is going to demonstrate, with so many countries desperate to be part of it, is that there is enormous love and respect for Her Majesty, for the job that she has done over the last 60 glorious years.

“I think more importantly what it is going to do is demonstrate a lifetime of service and duty on behalf of the country and life long passion for horses. The two will be brought together and I think she will love every minute of it.”

Mr Titchmarsh added: “This will be an occasion not to be missed. It will be bursting with pride, not just for the British nation but for all those nations that have been invited to participate in it. I think next May we are in for the most tremendous treat.”

Simon Brooks Ward is directing and producing the event, which is expected to draw more than 12,000 visitors.

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He said it was being funded by private donations and any surplus money would be donated to charities.

He said: “To put it into context, Queen Victoria was the only other British monarch to celebrate a Diamond Jubilee in 1897, some 114 years ago, so for this to be happening within our lifetimes is a truly unique and historic occasion.”

The event will take place in May on Thursday 10, Friday 11 and Sunday 13 and will be broadcast by ITV.

Related topics:Queen