Jamestown, Va. ? Just like in 1957, Queen Elizabeth II will take part in anniversary events at Jamestown, the New World’s first permanent English settlement.

She will visit Jamestown in May, Buckingham Palace officials said Wednesday. In a speech Wednesday marking Parliament’s opening, the queen said she will travel to Virginia with her husband, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

“The Duke of Edinburgh and I look forward to our state visit to the United States of America in May 2007 to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the Jamestown settlement,” said the queen, who is 80 years old.

But the queen’s announcement came with few details about her exact role in Jamestown 2007. The commemoration’s main event is expected to be “America’s Anniversary Weekend” on May 11-13.

“We don’t know anything about the specifics at this point,” said Ross Richardson, a spokesman for Jamestown 2007. “Just the fact that she’s made the commitment to come over here in May is a huge development for the commemoration.”