Queen Elizabeth attends UK Cabinet meeting, scripts history

Queen Elizabeth II, celebrating the diamond jubilee of her reign, today scripted history when she attended a cabinet meeting in 10 Downing Street, becoming the first British monarch since 1781 to do so.

Prime Minister David Cameron greeted the 86-year-old Queen at the door of Number 10, posing for photos before going inside. She met ministers, who presented her with a gift to mark her Diamond Jubilee after 60 years on the throne.

Dressed in a royal blue coat, the Queen sat in the Prime Minister's usual seat - with Cameron and Foreign Secretary William Hague sat either side. It is believed to be the first time a monarch has attended peace-time cabinet since George III in 1781. George I ceased to chair cabinet in 1717. The Queen's father, King George VI, attended war cabinet during the Second World War, the BBC reported.

However, claims that this was the first time a monarch has attended a cabinet meeting since Queen Victoria were disputed by historian Jane Ridley, who said King George III was the last to have done so. Once inside, the Queen was introduced to each of the government's senior ministers in turn, as they bowed. She shared jokes with Chancellor George Osborne, Defence Secretary Philip Hammond and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg.

After the Queen and the cabinet had taken their seats, Cameron formally welcomed her to the meeting and outlined the items of business on the agenda. It began with Chief Whip Sir George Young talking about the change to royal accession rules, to allow a first born girl to become head of state even if she has a younger brother. There were also updates on the forthcoming parliamentary business and Ken Clarke spoke about prospective justice measures, the BBC reported.

Ridley, biographer of Edward VII, told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme: "I don't think there is any evidence that Queen Victoria sat in on cabinet or went near cabinet. She did occasionally get rather cross with her politicians and when that happened she would very occasionally write a furious letter to be read out in cabinet." George III went only very occasionally.