He has been named as special envoy of the diplomatic quartet pushing for peace in Middle East.
The Queen, 89, will take over the title from her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria who, according to Buckingham Palace, reigned for exactly 23,226 days, 16 hours and 23 minutes. To celebrate her 63-year-long reign, here are some interesting facts about her.
The German-born Pope Benedict XVI will make his first papal visit to Britain on September 16. However, hours before his arrival in London, his key aide, Cardinal Walter Kasper referred to the UK as a 'Third World' country, triggering a new row.
India's Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra will receive the Commonwealth Games baton from Queen Elizabeth II with President Pratibha Devisingh Patil in attendance at Buckingham Palace on October 29.
Queen Elizabeth II's staff at Buckingham Palace has signed up with Toyota's 'Green Tomato Cars' to cut costs, after they found out about the car from Prince Charles's London office, which switched to its cheaper carbon-efficient Toyota Prius fleet. "They were very conscious of the savings they'd be making both in financial and carbon terms. Cost was certainly a major factor, so much so in fact that Clarence House negotiated a discount," said Tom Pakenham, director, Toyota.
America's first lady Michelle Obama broke a royal protocol when she placed her arm around Queen Elizabeth II during a formal reception at the Buckingham Palace. But much to the surprise of onlookers the Queen returned the gesture by putting her arm round first lady's waist.
Slipping cups, breaking straps and dreaded 'back fat' -- are all the horrors of not wearing the right bra for you.
Some Twitter users were serious in their demand for the return of the Kohinoor diamond, while others had a humorous take on the issue.
The outlandish singer entertained the Queen at Royal Variety Performance
Images from the XIX Commonwealth Games baton handing over ceremony outside Buckingham Palace in London on Thursday.
President Pratibha Patil was on Tuesday accorded a red-carpet welcome by British Queen Elizabeth II, marked by pomp and pageantry, as she arrived at the imposing Windsor Castle in a stage carriage pulled by six white horses.
The civil list, which pays for the running of the royal household, has not increased in the last 20 years. At the moment, any request for an increase in funds would be difficult to tackle as the UK is suffering from the global economic crisis. The queen has raided the reserve fund by pound 6 million to supplement the civil list. If she continues to draw on reserve funds at the current rate, she will run out of funds by the start of 2012.
Indian-origin top-cop Dal Babu, Borough Commander for Harrow in the UK, has been honoured by Queen Elizabeth II and made to an Order of the British Empire for his services to policing and the community.
The 23-year-old prince, who is third in line to the British throne and has earned fullsome prise from many, including grandmother Queen Elizabeth II for his effort, was put on a troop transport plane with about 170 personnel. Prince Harry was posted on a front line base called 'Delhi'. Harry fought the Taliban alongside Gurkhas recruited into the British army from Nepal. Many of them had their education in Kathmandu or India.
The alpona (artwork) on the steep, winding road leading to Makaibari bears testimony to the visit of G20 delegates for the second tourism working group meeting in April last year. The lush tea bushes, the delegates joining in for the moonlight plucking of Silver Tips Imperial first flush, a favourite of late Queen Elizabeth II, cut a picture of mystical magic. But it's not the Kurseong tea garden's only shining moment - the last few years have been busy for the estate and its bungalow.
Queen Elizabeth is posting job vacancies at Buckingham Palace through her revamped Web site.
A man has been arrested after running towards the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, Lying-in-State at Westminster Hall in London as thousands of mourners file past to pay their respects.
Yannic Cariah scored a magnificent unbeaten century to guide the West Indies to a thrilling four-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the third-fourth place play-off match in the ICC Under-19 World Cup. The 17-year-old left-hander deservedly took the man-of-the-match award for his match-winning knock of 110 that came off 127 balls, as the West Indies achieved victory target of 292 runs for the loss of six wickets with nine balls to spare.
The 82-year-old monarch has a personal fortune of 320 million pounds (475 million dollars, 355 million euros), according to The Sunday Times newspaper's 2008 Rich List, but is not a spendthrift. The sovereign has ordered a festive crackdown to acknowledge the credit crunch starting with her Christmas crackers, a media report said.
The deal, which now comes into effect from April 1, means the couple will no longer be representing the Queen in an official capacity.
'We, too, smile knowing that you and grandpa are reunited now, and both together in peace'
Rushdie has been awarded for his services to Literature in the Queen's Birthday Honours List, which recognises the achievements of 19 other NRIs as well.
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II is known for her love for her dogs and on Monday it emerged just how much.
The actress delivered a speech on -- you guessed it -- racism.
The value of her private estate fell by 19 per cent in 2008-09 due to a crash in property and investment markets.
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II has suffered over one billion pound dip in the value of her properties owing to the current global recession.
Bhangra singer Malkit Singh became the first Punjabi singer to be honoured by Queen Elizabeth II at the Buckingham Palace here with the award of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.
As many as 22 non-resident Indians, including leading industralist Rami Ranger and academician Pritpal Singh, figure in Britain's Queen Elizabeth II's birthday honours list.
Bolstered by a strong economy, Blair's Labour was widely expected to win a third term despite anger over his judgement to join the Iraq war.
Lewis Hamilton was awarded an MBE by Queen Elizabeth II on Tuesday for his achievement in becoming the youngest Formula One champion in history.
In a break with tradition, Queen Elizabeth II's Christmas broadcast has featured footage of Europe's largest Hindu Temple and Muslims praying in a mosque.
The measures announced included an asylum and immigration bill with powers to fast-track asylum applications.
Ankit Kawatra will be honoured by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace on June 29.
Prince Andrew was all business on his first visit to Mumbai.
The two time World Cup winner shared the news on her Twitter account
The Life Guards troopers, members of the British Army's most senior regiment, staged the late night orgy less then two kms from Buckingham palace. They then distributed copies of the video among colleagues.
Thirteen Indians, including Bhangra artist Malkit Singh, have been awarded the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) by Britian's Queen Elizabeth-II in her New Year honours.
