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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has recalled Queen Elizabeth II's famous visits to Australia in a moving tribute as Commonwealth leaders began to honour monarch's Platinum Jubilee.
Albanese lit a beacon to the Queen in Canberra on Thursday night shortly before, on the other side of the world, the Queen emerged onto the balcony at Buckingham Palace for the climax to her birthday parade.
The prime minister hailed a "life of service, fidelity, integrity and humanity" and wished her majesty the nation's "very warmest congratulations".
READ MORE: Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations begin across the UK
"Sydney was a young city, and a young queen stood here, full of promise and full of purpose," he said.
"As we mark this Jubilee, we can say that she fulfilled that purpose. Her Majesty has amply kept her promises."
"Hers continues to be a life of unswerving loyalty unfailing dignity, grace under pressure, a warm welcome for every person she met."
Australia and New Zealand were among 54 Commonwealth countries marking the jubilee on Thursday night, but Canberra was one of the first capitals to participate in the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Beacon event.
Each city will light a beacon in royal purple to honour her majesty.
Australia
Landmarks across Australia were bathed in purple light to celebrate the Queen's reign.
Sydney Harbour basked in purple light from 9pm during a "seven minutes for seven decades" celebration of the Queen's reign.
The government will on Saturday rename Canberra's Aspen Island, where the Queen opened the National Carrilon in 1970
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"I look forward to officially renaming Aspen Island to Queen Elizabeth II Island later this week as a mark of Australia's appreciation and respect for Her Majesty," Albanese said, earlier in the day.
Other key parts of Australia's involvement in the celebration include a Sydney mum who composed the official anthem for the jubilee which will be sung as beacons are lit across the world.
Lucy Kiely from Haberfield beat hundreds of entries in the international competition, Song for the Commonwealth, for her lyrics to be sung by choirs around the world during the official event.
New Zealand
New Zealand will have a beacon shining in Wellington.
Other celebrations include the Royal Regiment of New Zealand Artillery using four 25-pounder guns to react during their 21-gun salute at Point Jerningham.
Source: 9News
