A Right Royal Menagerie

© AP PA

Playing with penguins, enjoying elephant rides and welcoming new animals to the Zoo – these are just some of the photos of Queen Elizabeth that will be on display at the Zoological Society of London’s (ZSL) Diamond Jubilee exhibition at ZSL London Zoo.

Celebrating Queen Elizabeth’s 60 years on the throne, the exhibition features a selection of images of the monarch at the Zoo, including nostalgic pictures of the young Princess enjoying a behind-the-scenes tour of the penguin pool in 1938 to meet its flippered residents – who appear quite fascinated by the young royal.

Issued the Royal Charter in 1829 by King George IV, ZSL has had a Royal Patron since 1831, when King William IV declared it was an ‘Intimation of his Majesty’s Pleasure to become a Patron of the Society’.

Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret riding an elephant at ZSL London Zoo, 1939. Copyright AP PA Commemorating ZSL’s current Royal Patron, Queen Elizabeth, and its long relationship with the British Royal Family, the Diamond Jubilee exhibition features previously unseen relics and photographs from ZSL’s archives.

Zoo visitors will be able to see ZSL’s royal memorabilia from its 186-year history, including a ticket to Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee celebrations at ZSL London Zoo in 1887, and the Society’s Royal Charter.

Communications Director Rich Storton said: “We’re extremely proud of our royal heritage here at the Zoological Society of London and wanted to celebrate Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee by showcasing some of the remarkable memorabilia we have in our archives.

“From photographs of Queen Elizabeth meeting the penguins as a young girl, to a souvenir menu from the Coronation celebrations at the Zoo in 1953, there’s a great variety of fascinating artefacts on show.”

The exhibition will be on display at ZSL London Zoo from Saturday 2 June until Friday 31 August 2012.

The exhibition is free when entry to ZSL London Zoo is purchased during this period.

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