Tracey Emin flag unveiled on South Bank

"It is a flag which is personal to me" declared the artist and former Waterloo resident who was present to see the flag hauled up above the crowd. There were cheers as the wind revealed the words ONE SECRET TO SAVE EVERYTHING.

"Everything in life is worth something even the most painful experiences" said Tracey Emin. "From every mistake I make I try to save something good out of it."

She revealed that she was under huge pressure preparing for the Venice Biennale and coming to Jubilee Gardens was a big day out for her. Looking at the large lawn she said: "What I would like is in the summer everyone on this grass making love. That would make me really happy."

Emin's design replaces White Flag at Half Mast by Yinka Shonibare which was the first in a new series of commissions for the Jubilee Flagpole.

The Forest Industry of British Columbia originally erected the Jubilee Flagpole for the 1951 Festival of Britain. It was re-erected by the provincial government of British Columbia in 1977 to mark the Queen's Jubilee in the newly created Jubilee Gardens.