Number 6: London Times

Nearly every Briton will remember the last 12 months as the year that the red, white and blue bunting never came down.

The past year has seen an unprecedented string of celebrations, from the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, to the 2012 Summer Olympics, to the news this month that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are expecting their first child — an heir to the throne.

It was a year to remember British icons — and not just the Queen: The Rolling Stones and James Bond each marked 50 years in business. And the British Fashion Council celebrated the country’s stylish males with the unveiling in June of London Collections: Men, a twice-yearly fashion showcase.

It was Stella McCartney, the first fashion designer ever to create uniforms for Team GB and Paralympics GB, who kicked off Britain’s celebratory year when she unveiled her designs at the Tower of London in March.