Big Ben renamed 'Elizabeth Tower'
19:53, 13 September 2012
LONDON. September 13. KAZINFORM The historic clock tower that houses Big Ben was yesterday renamed the 'Elizabeth Tower' in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
Commons Speaker John Bercow presided over a formal ceremony after the majority of MPs backed a Daily Mail campaign for the name change, Dailymail.co.uk informed.
The move, which is understood to have delighted the Queen, means one of Britain's best-known landmarks will forever carry her name.
It mirrors a tribute bestowed on Queen Victoria, the only other monarch to remain on the throne for 60 years. The tower at the other end of the Palace of Westminster was renamed the Victoria Tower to mark her long reign.
The tower is known across the world by the name of the bell it houses - Big Ben - and MPs accept it will continue to be referred to by that name by most. Previously, the tower was officially known as the Clock Tower,
Read more