• Queen breaks with centuries-old tradition and sits in on UK Cabinet meeting

    Jeremy Selwyn / AFP - Getty Images

    Queen Elizabeth II takes a seat at the table between British Prime Minister David Cameron and Foreign Secretary William Hague at a cabinet meeting in London on December 18, 2012 to mark her 60 years on the throne.

    Jeremy Selwyn / AFP - Getty Images

    Queen Elizabeth II listens next to Prime Minister David Cameron during the cabinet meeting inside No 10 Downing Street.

    By Rachel Elbaum, NBC News — Queen Elizabeth II sat in on a U.K. Cabinet meeting for the first time in her reign Tuesday, after an invitation from ministers wanting to present her with a gift celebrating her 60 years on the throne, a Buckingham Palace spokeswoman said.

    Jeremy Selwyn / AFP - Getty Images

    Queen Elizabeth II received a gift of place mats from the cabinet to celebrate her 60 years on the throne.

    The queen met with members of the Cabinet in a side room and then took a seat between Prime Minister David Cameron and Foreign Secretary William Hague to observe the weekly meeting.

    "We think the last time the monarch attended the cabinet was in 1781 during the American War of Independence," Cameron said at the start of the meeting, according to video footage. Read the full story.

    Slideshow: Britain honors Queen Elizabeth II with Diamond Jubilee

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    Jeremy Selwyn / AFP - Getty Images

    Queen Elizabeth II sits flanked by Prime Minister David Cameron (L) and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg (R) as members of the cabinet pose for a family picture at No 10 Downing Street.

    Jeremy Selwyn / AFP - Getty Images

    Queen Elizabeth II sat in the prime minister's usual chair at the table. The 86-year-old sovereign sat in as an observer on the meeting.

  • Queen Elizabeth II begins her 20th trip to Northern Ireland

    Cathal Mcnaughton / Reuters

    Britain's Queen Elizabeth waves to members of the public as she arrives in Enniskillen on the first day of a two day tour of Northern Ireland, June 26.

    David Moir / Reuters

    People take photographs from a rooftop as Britain's Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip arrive for a service of thanksgiving at Saint Macartin's Cathedral in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland June 26.

    David Moir / Reuters

    Britain's Queen Elizabeth accepts flowers from members of the public after she attended a Service of Thanksgiving at Saint Macartin's Cathedral in Ennniskillen, Northern Ireland June 26.

    Chris Jackson / Getty Images

    Queen Elizabeth II visits Macartin's Cathederal on June 26, in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland.

    Slideshow: Life of a queen

    Carl Court / AFP - Getty Images

    After more than five decades on the throne, view images from the extraordinary life of Queen Elizabeth II.

    Launch slideshow

    AP reports: ENNISKILLEN, Northern Ireland - Queen Elizabeth II arrived in Northern Ireland on Tuesday to celebrate the British territory's hard-won peace in a town that suffered one of the IRA's worst massacres - and inspired its greatest moment of Christian forgiveness.

    Catholic and Protestant leaders from across Ireland united in Enniskillen at an ecumenical service in the monarch's honor as, outside in wind and rain, several thousand people waved Union Jack flags and banners honoring the queen amid an unrelenting din of pealing church bells.

    The monarch's long-awaited meeting with former Irish Republican Army commander Martin McGuinness comes Wednesday in Belfast. Full story

    See more photos from the Queen's life in our slideshow at right.

    The Queen is making a historic visit to Northern Ireland as part of her Diamond Jubilee tour. She arrived in Enniskillen, the scene of one of the worst atrocities of The Troubles, and meet the Stormont deputy first minister, former IRA commander Martin McGuinness, in a gesture which will herald another milestone in Anglo-Irish relations. ITN's Martha Fairlie reports.

  • Obama toasts queen, special US-Britain bond

    AP reports:

    In lavish style, President Barack Obama and Queen Elizabeth II on Tuesday affirmed a bond between the United States and the United Kingdom that has strengthened through the sacrifice of war and a history of common values. As the queen put it, the relationship is "tried, tested and, yes, special."

    Today's earlier PhotoBlog post from Buckingham Palace.

    Lewis Whyld / AP

    Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, and U.S. President Barack Obama during a state banquet in Buckingham Palace, London, on Tuesday May 24. President Barack Obama immersed himself in the grandeur of Britain's royal family Tuesday, as Queen Elizabeth II welcomed him to Buckingham Palace for the first day of a state visit.

    WPA Pool / Getty Images

    Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, U.S. President Barack Obama, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh during a State Banquet in Buckingham Palace on May 24 in London, England. The 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama, and his wife Michelle are in the UK for a two day State Visit at the invitation of HM Queen Elizabeth II. During the trip they will attend a state banquet at Buckingham Palace and the President will address both houses of parliament at Westminster Hall.

     

     

  • Obamas greeted by royal family at Buckingham Palace

    Murray Sanders / WPA Pool via Getty Images

    Queen Elizabeth II and U.S. President Barack Obama review an honor guard of the First Battalion Scots Guards at a ceremony of welcome at Buckingham Palace on May 24.

    Murray Sanders / WPA Pool via Getty Images

    U.S. President Barack Obama reviews an honor guard with Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh at Buckingham Palace on May 24.

    Charles Dharapak / AP

    U.S. President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama meet with Britain's Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge at Buckingham Palace in London on May 24.

    Dominic Lipinski / WPA Pool via Getty Images

    Prince Charles walks with U.S. President Barack Obama as they leave Winfield House, the official residence of the US Ambassador, in Regent's Park in London on May 24.

    Kevin Lamarque / Reuters

    U.S. President Barack Obama shakes hands with Queen Elizabeth II as first lady Michelle Obama and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, look on, at Buckingham Palace in London on May 24.

    msnbc.com staff and news service reports: President Obama and his wife Michelle are in the UK for a state visit at the invitation of Queen Elizabeth II, who is hosting them for two nights at Buckingham Palace.  They were welcomed to the palace this morning in an elaborate arrival ceremony, and will be toasted at an intimate banquet for about 200 royals and other dignitaries Tuesday evening.

    Royal watchers say the queen has taken a liking to the Obamas ever since meeting the couple during their 2009 visit to London.

    Read more on President Obama's visit to the UK.

  • John Rooney / AP file

    In this Oct. 21, 1957 file photo, Queen Elizabeth II addresses the General Assembly, as her husband Prince Philip, sits at left. Seated behind the Queen are, left to right, Secretary General Dag Hammarskjold; General Assembly President Sir Leslie Munro and Assistant Secretary General Andrew Cordier. The 84-year-old monarch was 31 years old when she last addressed the United Nations in 1957, four years after she was crowned queen.

    The last time Queen Elizabeth addressed the U.N.: 1957

    We'll be streaming live video of the the Queen's 3 p.m. ET address to the United Nations General Assembly at this link.

    The live stream has been over for a while, here is a link to the on-demand video of her appearance.