The Queen planted a tree on the Sandringham Estate for the Jubilee Wood Project. Picture: Ian Burt

Diamond Jubilee year marked in Norfolk at the Royal Estate

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The Queen braved near-zero temperatures to plant a tree on the Royal Estate at Sandringham today to mark a woodland project for her Jubilee year.

Joined by the Princess Royal and watched by children from two West Norfolk schools, she planted a young oak which was the first tree of a newly created 20-acre Jubilee Wood on the estate.

Wrapped-up in full-length bottle-green cape coat, long boots and a cream and green headscarf, the Queen was met by children from nearby Sandringham and West Newton and Flitcham schools.

“It is terribly bleak here - there is nothing between here and Siberia,” she commented.

The Princess Royal spoke of the special tree planted by the Duke of Edinburgh to mark the coronation 60 years ago, and of Coronation Avenue on the Sandringham Estate which was planted to mark the crowning of King George VI.

“I literally grew-up with those trees and there is something very special about growing up with them.

“This is a rather special moment,” she said.

The Princess Royal is patron of the Woodland Trust project which is aiming to plant six million trees as part of the Jubilee Wood project.

“2012 is a very special year,” said Dr Nicola Nicholls, chairman of the trust.

“We are so lucky to have such a wonderful, hard working monarch,” she added. A sentiment which was applauded by .

“You have worked tirelessly for the last 60 years,” she added.

Pupils from the estate schools of Sandringham and West Newton and Flitcham were also taking part in the event which will see a new 20-acre wood created.

The Woodland Trust is also aiming to create 60 new 60-acre woods across the country and so far has 45 land owners signed-up to the project - but still needs a Norfolk site.

Sainsbury’s has pledged £1.5m to plant a million trees as part of the initiative.