Queen clocks up big honour

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip arrive for the Epsom Derby at Epsom race course, southern England at the start of four-day Diamond Jubilee celebrations to mark the 60th anniversary of the Queen's accession to the throne Saturday, June 2, 2012. (AP Photo/Sang Tan)

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip arrive for the Epsom Derby at Epsom race course, southern England at the start of four-day Diamond Jubilee celebrations to mark the 60th anniversary of the Queen's accession to the throne Saturday, June 2, 2012. (AP Photo/Sang Tan)

Published Jun 3, 2012

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LONDON: Britain’s famed parliament clock tower housing Big Ben is set to be renamed the Elizabeth Tower in honour of the queen’s diamond jubilee.

Prime Minister David Cameron is among 331 lawmakers who have signed up to a campaign to bestow the tribute on Queen Elizabeth to mark her 60th year on the throne, the Daily Mail reported.

It mirrors an honour bestowed on Queen Victoria – the first British monarch to celebrate a diamond jubilee, back in 1897 – after whom the square tower at the other end of the Houses of Parliament was renamed.

“It is great news that so many MPs from across the House are backing what would be a fitting tribute to the queen. I hope it will now move ahead,” the Mail quoted Cameron as saying.

The 96m tower is formally known as the clock tower but is commonly known as Big Ben.

The House of Commons Commission, the governing body of the British parliament, will meet by the end of June and is expected to agree on the renaming. – Sapa-AFP

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