A SUSSEX zoo is marking the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee by naming two newborn critically endangered monkeys with fittingly royal names.

Queenie and Duke are two baby cotton-top tamarins born on May 6 at Drusillas Park, near Alfriston, with keepers confirming that the infant twins are presenting as happy, healthy and a little bit cheeky.

Recent visitors to the park have enjoyed spotting the tiny babies clinging to mum Florencia’s back, as she proudly shows off her new arrivals.

Keepers have been preparing some special decorations in their enclosure for the jubilee bank holiday.

Head keeper Gemma Romanis said: “We are over the moon to confirm that both mum and babies are making excellent progress, and Florencia is proving to be a very caring and sweet mama.

“We usually ask the public to name our zoo borns, but with the celebration of the Platinum Jubilee coming up - another very rare occurrence - we just couldn’t miss the opportunity to give them names to remember the historic moment.

“As well as being totally adorable, the cause for celebration is that much more when we successfully breed a critically-endangered species at Drusillas.

“The healthy arrival of this pair provides a crucial boost for the population, and we’re all really proud to play our part in the future survival of this beautiful primate.”

The Argus: Queenie and Duke, with mother FlorenciaQueenie and Duke, with mother Florencia

15-year-old Florencia came to Drusillas in 2016 from Beale Park near Reading and has given birth seven times with her mate, 12-year-old Pasto - who originally came to the park from Basel Zoo in Switzerland.

The twins are now settling in with Florencia and Pasto’s seven other offspring.

One of the most threatened species of primates in the world, it is estimated there are less than 6,000 cotton-tops remaining in the wild.

Native to the Colombian rainforests, cotton-tops are known for their spectacular crest of white hair, often likened to ‘mad professor’ characters.

Drusillas Park is hosting jubilee-inspired fun over the bank holiday weekend with a special ‘Royal Express’ train ride, ‘Cluckingham Palace’ - housing the Park’s chickens, and quintessential British treats, including scones, shortbread and Union Jack biscuits.