1 June 2012 Last updated at 15:58

In pictures: Final preparations for the Diamond Jubilee

William Rattray puts up flags in his garden in Fallin, central Scotland, ahead of the Jubilee celebrations this weekend

Homes across the UK turned red, white and blue as they were decked out with union jacks ahead of the many street parties, outdoor concerts and fairs set to take place over the next four days.

An Ostrich plays with flags that have been put up by staff at Blair Drummond Safari Park near Stirling ahead of their Jubilee Funday being held on Sunday

Even exotic animals were getting in on the final preparations - this Ostrich, at Blair Drummond Safari Park, near Stirling, eyed a union jack with some interest.

The most famous door in Britain - that of Number 10 Downing Street - does not avoid the traditional bunting that is taking over Britain's streets and buildings.

A racegoer poses wearing a homemade Diamond Jubilee hat during Ladies Day, the first day of the Epsom Derby horse racing event

Even race-goers on the first day of the Epsom Derby got into the spirit of the royal celebrations - this Diamond Jubilee-themed hat was among the most striking headwear on show.

Royal fan Terry Hutt prepares to camp out in the Mall

Many royal fans have begun lining the Mall already, among them Terry Hutt. He plans to camp out overnight to make sure he has a front row seat for the events.

A mounted soldier yawns as a dress rehearsal of the royal carriage procession from Westminster Hall to Buckingham Palace takes place

More than 2,000 members of the armed forces were up at dawn on Friday for a full dress rehearsal of the royal carriage procession from Westminster Hall to Buckingham Palace.

Humayra Choudhury won the title of "Queen of the day" for the Jubilee celebration costume she made and wore to her school, Henllys Church in Wales, in Cwmbran.

Antique tins depicting Queen Elizabeth are for sale in a shop in Portobello Market in west London

There certainly will not be a shortage of souvenirs from the event to mark the 60th anniversary of the Queen's accession to the throne. For something a bit different, one west London market was selling antique tins depicting early images of the Queen.

Party-goers wearpaper crowns showing the union flag and the Kenyan flag to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee

For some, celebrations started early - among the early street parties was one in Brixton, south London, at which some of the people were refugees. Attendees got into the royal spirit by wearing paper crowns showing the union flag and the Kenyan flag.

Mounted soldiers take part in a full dress rehearsal of a carriage procession between Westminster Hall and Buckingham Palace

Pomp and pageantry was in full swing in central London earlier, as a run through of every step and every manoeuvre, on foot and on horseback, took place ahead of the real thing.

The Royal Mint's first UK Gold Kilo Coin created to mark The Queen's Diamond Jubilee

To give the occasion a glittering touch, the Royal Mint launched its first coin to contain a kilo of gold. However, priced at £60,000 - and with just 60 made - they will not be for everyone.

Trooper Lewis McCormick 19, from Oldham (l) and Lt Cpl Thomas Constant, 24, from Bournemouth, both of the King's Royal Hussars, enjoyed an impromptu Diamond Jubilee tea party in Helmand Province

And Jubilee patriotism even spread as far as Helmand Province in Afghanistan - nearly 3,500 miles (5,600km) from London - where Trooper Lewis McCormick 19, from Oldham (l) and L/Cpl Thomas Constant, 24, from Bournemouth, both of the King's Royal Hussars, enjoyed an impromptu tea party.

UK

In pictures: Final preparations for the Diamond Jubilee

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