London - Britain's Queen Elizabeth II is about to scale new heights.
Royal officials say the queen will whizz to the top of London's Orbit tower during a visit to the Olympic Park on Saturday.
The queen and her husband, Prince Philip, will take in the panoramic views from atop the 115m landmark.
The tower - a ruby red mass of twisting steel that some have likened to a crushed rollercoaster - has divided opinion: some say bold, others eyesore.
The queen will be accompanied by her daughter, Princess Anne, but not by her oldest son, Prince Charles, a vocal opponent of edgy modern architecture.
The royals also are due to meet competitors and catering staff at the athletes’ village.
The games start on Friday and run to 12 August.
Royal officials say the queen will whizz to the top of London's Orbit tower during a visit to the Olympic Park on Saturday.
The queen and her husband, Prince Philip, will take in the panoramic views from atop the 115m landmark.
The tower - a ruby red mass of twisting steel that some have likened to a crushed rollercoaster - has divided opinion: some say bold, others eyesore.
The queen will be accompanied by her daughter, Princess Anne, but not by her oldest son, Prince Charles, a vocal opponent of edgy modern architecture.
The royals also are due to meet competitors and catering staff at the athletes’ village.
The games start on Friday and run to 12 August.