David McAlmont

Singer, Essayist, Art Historian

Adamski and I are at the supermarket on Wednesday evening. We're about to have tagliatelle at his gaff, so we're here for fresh Parmesan and napkins. He's flummoxed and indecisive at the remarkable range of serviettes on offer, including the special edition, Diamond Jubilee Union Jack jobs.

Mark Borkowski

Publicist, author and agency head

In the run-up to the Jubilee juggernaut, the western media has become obsessed with the newfound brand success of the British Royal Family aka Brand GB.

Simon Atkinson

Assistant Chief Executive at Ipsos MORI

If we're measuring success in terms of opinion poll findings, there can be little doubt that The Palace goes into this weekend's Jubilee celebrations in rude health.

Dan Sumners

Senior Policy and Communications Officer, Volunteering England

Every year, over 20 million people across England and the UK volunteer, donating more than 100 million hours to their communities every week. It has been estimated that the economic value of this activity is worth in excess of £40 billion to our economy.

William Hanson

Etiquette expert and social commentator

The Diamond Jubilee weekend is here; people up and down the land will be celebrating and gathering with friends and family. You may be opting to take part in the 'Big Lunch' on the Sunday, or throw a tea party or picnic on the Bank Holiday Monday. But another option would be to throw your own garden party.

Mat Morrisroe

Award winning Music Strategist & Consultant, a Musician & a DJ

"We all have fond memories of 60 years of our Queen," Dermot Murnaghan smarms through my TV screen inaccurately. After retrieving whichever inanimate object now lies below the screen having found itself being hurled along with a range of colourful language towards the inane news man's grinning bonce, I reflect on what has been an annoying few months for me and millions of other Britons.

Alison E. Wise

American in London, feminist, fashion/costume designer, DJ, founder of the 'Rock n Roll Camden Walking Tours' - basically, a renaissance woman

We know that the London Underground can be intimidating and confusing, what with all those people rushing around, so here are some helpful tips for you to try and follow.

Kaye Stearman

Media Co-ordinator for Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT)

As the UK gears up to celebrates the Diamond Jubilee, amid street parties, parades and flotillas, it is timely to take a closer look at one of the less edifying aspects of the royal family - the links between royalty, the military and the arms industry.

Nick Revell

I am so excited my brain can literally not think in a straight line why because we're all buzzed up counting down the days left to the Queen's Diamond Geezer weekend which is now literally only a few days away and I literally cannot wait...

Anna Berrill

Food and interiors writer, cake lover, and recipe hoarder

The 1950s, the decade of the Queen's coronation, was a time of austerity, rationing, and simplicity in the baking stakes. From malted date cakes and cherry bakewells to pillow soft finger rolls, shortages meant that food was on everyone's minds.

Siraj Datoo

Political, technology & media journalist.

The government have done something right. Hoorah. On the Andrew Marr show, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said that any individual that has abused human rights would not be able to enter the country.

Ben Fogle

TV presenter and environmentalist

The Diamond Jubilee will see London transformed into a four day carnival and I am lucky enough to be in the midst of it. As a reporter for the US network NBC News I will be working alongside the Today show anchor Matt Lauer at the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palace - but the highlight will be the river pageant on Sunday 3 June.

Russell Watson

UK's best selling classical artist

I've always had a sense of patriotism since being a young boy. My first sense of this was when, in 1977, at the Queen's Silver Jubilee (which only really seems like a blink away) we had a huge street party.

The Reverend Jennie Hogan

Chaplain and Faith Advisor at Goodenough College

For those who love them, pens are friends, adding a touch of class and reassurance every time.

H. Edward Mann

Advisor to the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia and co-author of The Queen and the USA

On 8 May, Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell and Lord Watson of Richmond on the Thames were joined by Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates William Howell in planting a London Plane tree (Platanus acerifolia) behind the historic Virginia State Capitol.

Greg Jenner

Historical Consultant to CBBC’s multi-award winning sketch show Horrible Histories

I have been, for as long as I can remember, a staunch republican. I skipped the Royal Wedding and went on holiday to Florence, home of the Renaissance Republic, as it seemed the most delightfully pleasant form of protest. I think monarchy is an outdated and inherently absurd form of political power that contradicts every philosophical tenet in my heart - the idea that you can only be born into true royalty is at total odds with modern Britain's democratic principles and emphasis on meritocratic social mobility. Yet, there is a whopping great problem with my frothy-mouthed rhetoric... I bloody love the Queen!