Blue Peter viewers get chance to sparkle in competition for Queen’s Diamond Jubilee

Blue Peter, the world’s longest-running children’s television show, is teaming up with the Royal Household for a unique competition asking viewers to design the emblem for The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012.

As a prize, the top 30 children will be invited to a special reception at Buckingham Palace. The overall winning design will become the official emblem used by all agencies and the Royal Household to celebrate the historic anniversary across the United Kingdom, adorning everything from tea cups to television screens.

Launching on Monday 1 November, the competition will call upon viewers to submit a 2-D design for the Diamond Jubilee emblem on A4 paper. The design cannot include Her Majesty The Queen or any likeness of The Queen, but must feature a crown and can include anything else which depicts The Queen’s 60 years on the throne.

Inspiring children to use their imagination in design and drawing, the competition will also give viewers a chance to learn about emblems, the Diamond Jubilee, the monarchy and The Queen.

“We are honoured to offer this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our viewers to become part of this important historical event,” says Blue Peter editor, Tim Levell.

“This is another exciting chapter in Blue Peter’s long history and a very special relationship with the Royal Household. We cannot wait to receive our viewers’ designs, as their efforts always surpass our high expectations.”

For Monday’s competition launch show, the Blue Peter team went behind the famous black and gold gates to film inside Buckingham Palace, taking in the Throne Room, the Grand Staircase and the enormous State Ballroom.

They even filmed up on the roof – an area to which the general public would not normally be allowed access.

This is not the first time that Blue Peter has joined forces with the monarchy. In 2001, The Queen earned a coveted Gold Blue Peter badge when she visited the studio. On 1 February 2006, The Queen returned Blue Peter’s hospitality when the programme was broadcast live from Buckingham Palace – where it was announced that there would be a special garden party to mark her 80th birthday.

In 2008, The Queen then joined in the celebrations for Blue Peter’s 50th birthday by holding a special reception at Buckingham Palace, which was attended by a selection of former presenters, the current presenting team and some Gold Blue Peter badge-winning children.

Blue Peter is currently transmitted on BBC One every Monday and Tuesday and repeated on the CBBC channel on Saturday and Sunday.

The current presenters are Andy Akinwolere, Joel Defries and Helen Skelton. The world’s longest-running children’s TV programme is now in its 52nd year.