Diamond Jubilee pageant goes global (From Hereford Times)

Diamond Jubilee pageant goes global

9:53pm Saturday 12th May 2012 in National News © Press Association 2013

An audience was taken on a journey around the world in 90 minutes at one of the main events marking the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

The four-night Diamond Jubilee Pageant, in the private grounds of Windsor Castle, began on Thursday and will come to an end on Sunday with a special performance in front of the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh, organisers said.

The event includes more than 500 horses and 1,000 performers including 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.

On Sunday nnight singer Susan Boyle and entertainer Rolf Harris are among the stars to feature in the show.

Simon Brooks Ward, who is directing and producing the pageant, said he was remaining optimistic about the weather, especially for the Queen's visit on Sunday.

He said that the stage, which is a giant replica of Buckingham Palace - 148ft wide and 85ft high, was chosen because the Queen's London residence is the "epicentre" of the UK.

The show will be broadcast on ITV1 next month.