Queen's coronation: Westminster Abbey anniversary service

The Queen's spectacular coronation took place at a time of post-war austerity

The 60th anniversary of the Queen's coronation will be celebrated in a service at Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace has announced.

Foreign dignitaries will be among those joining the Royal Family as guests at the 4 June service.

Other celebrations planned for the summer include a four-day festival at Buckingham Palace Gardens in July.

Queen Elizabeth was crowned on 2 June 1953 in front of more than 8,000 guests at Westminster Abbey.

The Queen, aged 25, had replaced her father, King George VI, as monarch after his death on 6 February 1952.

Her spectacular coronation - at a time of post-war austerity - was the culmination of months of planning.

The St Edward's Crown was placed on her head by then-Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Geoffrey Fisher.

An estimated 3 million people lined the streets to catch a glimpse of the new monarch as she made her way to and from Buckingham Palace in the golden state coach.

In a radio broadcast, the Queen said: "Throughout all my life and with all my heart I shall strive to be worthy of your trust."

A 50th anniversary service was held in 2003 at the abbey with guests including members of the public born on 2 June 1953.

Last year's Diamond Jubilee celebrations, marking 60 years of the Queen's reign, included a river pageant on the Thames and a concert outside Buckingham Palace.