Britain's Queen Elizabeth celebrated her Diamond Jubilee by hosting a star-studded reception.
The 86-year-old monarch - who has been on the throne for 60 years this year - met hundreds of leading cultural figures at the glittering event at London's Royal Academy of Arts where the 850 luminaries paid tribute to her dedicated service.
Among the guests were Dame Judi Dench, Sir Paul McCartney, Dame Vivienne Westwood, Emma Thompson and U2 frontman Bono.
Fashion designer Vivienne - who rose to fame in the punk era - said she had changed her view about the monarchy since the 1970s.
She said: "At one time I thought the queen represented all the political hypocrisy of England. I realised they're above politics. I think they are a social cement and the job she does is incredible."
Other guests at the party included Kenneth Branagh, Maureen Lipman, Joanna Lumley, Tom Courtenay, Richard Briers and Martin Clunes.
The queen - whose official Diamond Jubilee celebrations start next Saturday (02.06.12) - also met Dame Shirley Bassey and actress Joan Collins.
Joan said: "I'm such a great admirer of her. I always want to know what she keeps in the handbag."
