Queen Victoria and Britain's first Diamond Jubilee - BBC News BBC News Queen Victoria and Britain's first Diamond Jubilee By Andy Sully BBC News 22 May 2012 Close share panel Image caption The Queen's Jubilee procession was accompanied by a considerable display of imperial might As the nation prepares to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the accession to the throne of Queen Elizabeth II, we look at the last time we had a Diamond Jubilee - Queen Victoria's in 1897. While Victoria - like the present Queen - enjoyed her special year at a time when the monarchy was widely held in high esteem, there were profound differences in the way things were done then. In 1887, Victoria had been feted on her Golden Jubilee with huge nationwide festivities, which included several modern-style royal walkabouts. The Diamond Jubilee (the first time the term had been used in the context of a 60th anniversary) saw an older, less robust Queen take something of a backseat in the lavish "Festival of the British Empire" proposed by Colonial Secretary Joseph Chamberlain. Historian Prof Walter Arnstein said the whole idea of staging large public celebrations was still a novel concept to the British public of the day.

"Britons hadn't seen themselves as very good at such things. It was the sort of thing that people in Napoleonic France or Russia had been associated with. "Queen Victoria herself didn't much care for the idea. She thought it was not altogether appropriate and had to be talked into it. "She enjoyed it in retrospect, but beforehand had made things quite difficult for [prime minister] Lord Salisbury at the planning stage." In 1897, it could be argued, the British Empire was at a high watermark. Victoria sat at the head of a realm of 450 million souls, stretched across every continent. Since 1870, Britain had added Zanzibar, Fiji, Cyprus, Bechuanaland, Somaliland, Kenya, the New Hebrides, Rhodesia and Uganda to its fast-expanding colonies. The crowds were quite indescribable and their enthusiasm truly marvellous and deeply touching Queen Victoria talking about her Jubilee parade General Kitchener was well advanced in his successful campaign to re-establish what in effect amounted to British control of Sudan, and the embarrassing military defeats of the Boer War (1899-1902) had not yet deflated imperial prestige.

However, Britain's economic rivals were biting at her economic heels. The United States had already overtaken Britain in terms of industrial output and Germany was not far behind. As an industrialist, Joseph Chamberlain promoted the importance of "opening up" the world to British goods. At a time when trade barriers were being put up all over Europe, a peaceful, growing empire seemed the best guarantor of that. So it was that Tuesday, 22 June - Jubilee Day - came to be celebrated not just throughout Britain but across the globe. 'Deeply touching' The day was declared a bank holiday in India as well as in Britain and Ireland. Among the many civic works erected, there were memorial fountains in the Seychelles as well as Manchester and municipal clock-towers in Penang, Malaysia, and Christchurch, New Zealand, as well as in Maidenhead and Chester. Image caption Victoria was at the head of an empire that ruled a quarter of the world's population The highlight of the day itself - a generally bright day in an appalling year for British weather - was a procession along six miles of London streets of the extended Royal Family and the leaders of the self-governing dominions and Indian states.

The British Army and Royal Navy had their best and brightest on show - and the parade was accompanied by colonial forces from Canada, India, Africa and the Antipodes, all in their best dress uniforms. The diminutive Queen, dressed in her habitual mourning black (as well as Albert, she had lost two children and six grandchildren by 1897) was confined to her state coach by painful arthritis. Her parade from Buckingham Palace, via Mansion House, past Parliament and then across Westminster Bridge before recrossing the Thames for a service at St Paul's Cathedral, was watched by hundreds of thousands of spectators, huddled beneath bunting and banners - one of which declared Victoria "Queen of earthly Queens". The 78-year-old monarch recorded: "No-one ever, I believe, has met with such an ovation as was given to me, passing through those six miles of streets... The crowds were quite indescribable and their enthusiasm truly marvellous and deeply touching.

"The cheering was quite deafening and every face seemed to be filled with joy." Free ale and tobacco The celebrations had been the subject of tense negotiations between the officials of the Royal Household who said they were anxious to avoid "the expenses incurred to the Privy Purse" of the Golden Jubilee. In the end, the costs were split. Image caption Colonial Secretary Joseph Chamberlain was an enthusiastic imperialist Prof Arnstein says: "In 1897, Queen Victoria said, in effect: 'If you want a big affair, then get the government to foot the bill.'" But it wasn't just the high and mighty who celebrated. The spirit of Victorian philanthropy was kept alive and well with street feasts laid on for 400,000 of London's poorest residents and 100,000 of Manchester's. Tea magnate Sir Thomas Lipton sponsored the London event, which included free bottles of ale and pipe tobacco. The parties went on into the evening, with a chain of beacons lit across Britain; a series of civic festivities in the newly-created Jubilee cities of Nottingham, Bradford and Hull; fireworks displays; and the son et lumiere illumination of St Paul's for the first time.

By order of the government, and to much disgust from the Temperance Movement, pubs remained open until 02:30. It is not recorded whether Victoria - who was known as Drina within royal circles - enjoyed the following day as much, which included a meeting with 10,000 schoolchildren on a rainy Constitution Hill followed by a civic reception in Slough. All the celebrations were very much focused on the empire, its success, its expansiveness and its seeming invincibility. Historian and writer Juliet Gardiner says: "The year could be seen as the apogee of British power... once the Boer War started it was clear that we were a bit friendless in Europe." There were of course dissenters. James Connolly, the Edinburgh-born Irish nationalist, called the Jubilee a "feast of flunkeyism" and wrote: "Join your voice with ours in protesting against the base assumption that we owe to this empire any other debt than that of hatred of all its plundering institutions." But in mainland Great Britain - and in many of the colonies, such opinions were rare. Ms Gardiner adds: "Queen Victoria was held in great reverence by the nation.

People simply couldn't imagine life without her on the throne. "Before her reign, the monarchy had been pretty unpopular overall. She could be said to have re-established the people's support for the monarchy." Queen's Diamond Jubilee: The first since Queen Victoria - Telegraph The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Queen's Diamond Jubilee: The first since Queen Victoria The only other Diamond Jubilee celebrated by a British monarch was in 1897 in the reign of Queen Victoria. The only other Diamond Jubilee celebrated by a British monarch was in 1897 in the reign of Queen Victoria Photo: CAMERA PRESS/John Swannell 1:00PM GMT 06 Feb 2012 Comments Initially Victoria had hoped for a quiet commemoration following her popular Golden Jubilee 10 years earlier, but realised the people were intent on marking the occasion in style. Secretary of State for the Colonies Joseph Chamberlain suggested that the anniversary should be used to celebrate the British Empire and the Queen approved. It became a glittering celebration, with troops from across the Empire processing through the streets in her honour.

The accession anniversary of June 20 1897 fell on a Sunday and was marked with special services around the country, with the Queen attending St George's Chapel, Windsor. Victoria, also Empress of India, entered the thanksgiving service on the arm of an Indian servant. Related Articles A thoroughly modern monarch 06 Feb 2012 The following day, she returned to London to receive foreign envoys. There was also a Torchlight Military Tattoo in the grounds of Buckingham Palace. The official celebration of the Diamond Jubilee took place on Tuesday June 22 1897. In the morning, the Queen transmitted a telegram across the world with the personal message: "From my heart I thank my beloved people. May God bless them." Before the age of television, the only way to watch the festivities was to head to London and thousands of people flocked to the streets to catch a glimpse of Victoria's grand procession. Sailors in boaters pulled gun carriages on ropes while guards in bearskin hats and tunics lined the roads.

Among many others, the Indian Lancers in their turbans, the Jamaican Artillery and New Zealand Mounted Troops had travelled to take part in the parade, joined by the traditional Sovereign's Escort of the 2nd Life Guards. Victoria, dressed in black silk with a black bonnet decorated with white ostrich feathers and diamonds, processed through London in a carriage to St Paul's Cathedral for a service, across London Bridge, through south London and back past Parliament to Buckingham Palace. She was moved by the experience, writing in her journal that night: "No-one ever, I believe, has met with such an ovation as was given to me, passing through those six miles of streets... The crowds were quite indescribable and their enthusiasm truly marvellous and deeply touching. "The cheering was quite deafening and every face seemed to be filled with (real) joy." There was one mishap during the procession when the elderly Gold Stick, Lord Howe - tasked with protecting the sovereign - fainted, although he did remount to be greeted by cheers from the crowd, according to Debrett's look back at the commemoration.

The thanksgiving service was held not inside, but outside St Paul's as the 78-year-old Queen, whose health was beginning to fail, could not manage the steps due to her rheumatism. Representatives from the then British Empire were in attendance and two choirs lined the steps of the cathedral for the short service. The Archbishop of Canterbury embarked on a spontaneous three cheers for the Queen. Vanity Fair, published on June 24 1897, declared that the Jubilee Day had strengthened the bonds of the British Empire thanks to the welcome visiting premiers and troops were given. It added: "For in Her Majesty, as she sat in her magnificent carriage, amid all the splendour of her court, the glistening of gold, the shining of sabres and the pomp of cavalry, in her quiet simple dress, all of us recognised a grand example of humility, of patience, of long suffering - in a word, womanliness." London went all out with the decorations. One banner in the capital declared: "Queen of earthly Queens". Manchester put aside large sums of money to hold a breakfast party for 100,000 children, while in Newcastle enough was raised for a new hospital.

In the evening on the official Jubilee Day, there was a grand dinner party at Buckingham Palace where the Queen's table was decorated with a 9ft high display of 60,000 orchids from every part of the then Empire, crafted into the shape of a crown. There were also royal engagements all week long including a State Ball at the Palace and a mass Naval review at Spithead in Hampshire attended by the then Prince of Wales and involving 165 ships. Jubilee hymns were commissioned and society garden parties hosted by various Countesses, while a reception and ball was held by the Corporation of the City of London at the Guildhall. As part of the festivities, Alexandra, Princess of Wales, initiated a project to hold the biggest banquet in the world and feed some 400,000 of London's poor. She staged a series of vast Diamond Jubilee Feasts where everyone was welcome no matter what their background or what state their clothes were in. More than 700 tons of food was needed and 10,000 waiters with the meals backed by millionaire Sir Thomas Lipton.

Diners ate roast ribs of beef and veal and ham pies, followed by dates, oranges and a drink of English ale or ginger beer and then pipes and tobacco. Victoria's reign is the longest in British history, with the current Queen's the second longest. Queen Victoria died just three and a half years after her Diamond Jubilee in January 1901 at the age of 81. Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee - History in the Headlines Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee June 5, 2012 By Christopher Klein Queen Victoria arrives at St Paul's Cathedral for her Diamond Jubilee celebrations. (Credit: Hulton Archive/Getty Images) Share this: Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee Author Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee URL Google Today in London, a royal procession through the streets of the British capital and a Thanksgiving service at St. Paul’s Cathedral culminated the celebration of the 60-year reign of Queen Elizabeth II. The pageantry closely mirrored the country’s last, and only other, Diamond Jubilee—Queen Victoria’s in 1897. In the waning days of the 19th century, the United Kingdom was the most powerful country on earth. The British Empire was at its imperial zenith.

More than a quarter of the world’s population—and a portion of every continent—was under its dominion, and ruling over it all was Queen Victoria, the woman who had worn the crown longer than any sovereign in British history. On September 23, 1896, the queen surpassed King George III as Britain’s longest-reigning monarch, but she requested that celebrations of the milestone be delayed until June 1897, the 60th anniversary of her accession to the throne. Colonial Secretary Joseph Chamberlain proposed that the Diamond Jubilee double as a “Festival of the British Empire” to celebrate Britain’s true crown jewels—its colonies. When Chamberlain suggested restricting the jubilee’s foreign guest list to the heads and representatives of the countries in the British Empire, a thankful queen—eager to avoid the headaches of taking in unwelcome royal relations at Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle—quickly pounced on the idea. Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee began solemnly with a family Thanksgiving service at Windsor Castle on Sunday, June 20, 1897, the 60th anniversary of her inheritance of the throne.

The following day, the queen returned to London to find a sea of color had washed over the city’s soot-coated streets. Union Jacks draped from house balconies. Festoons of flowers and rainbows of bunting soared overhead. The explosion of hues reflected a country bursting with patriotic pride. “The streets, the windows, the roofs of the houses, were one mass of beaming faces, and the cheers never ceased,” the queen wrote in her journal. That night at Buckingham Palace, Victoria sat next to Archduke Franz Ferdinand, whose 1914 assassination would spark the start of World War I, at a state banquet. As a tired queen turned in for the night, thousands of Britons, eager to watch the grand royal procession to St. Paul’s Cathedral the next morning, slept in the parks outside the palace walls. As dawn broke on the overcast morning of Tuesday, June 22, 1897, which had been declared a public holiday, hundreds of thousands of people crowded the London sidewalks in anticipation of the royal parade. Vendors hawked souvenir jubilee flags, mugs and programs.

A human fence of soldiers, their bayonets protruding like pickets, walled off the route of the six-mile procession. Before the 17-carriage convoy carrying the royal family and leaders of Britain’s dominions departed Buckingham Palace, Queen Victoria, with a touch of a button, sent an electronic message to her vast Empire. Her telegraph message would have been tailor-made for today’s Twittersphere: “From my heart I thank my beloved people. May God bless them. V.R. & I.” At 11:15 a.m., a cannon fired in Hyde Park to announce the monarch’s departure from the palace. The roar of the cannon must have forced the clouds into retreat as the sun suddenly began to splash the streets of London. Eight cream horses pulled the queen in an open carriage. Despite the festive occasion, Victoria—in perpetual mourning for her beloved husband, Albert, and two of her children—was dressed in black. The colorful dress uniforms of the colonial forces, however, more than compensated for the monochrome monarch. The procession, which included representatives of all Empire nations, swept by many of London’s world-famous landmarks, such as Trafalgar Square, the National Gallery, London Bridge and Big Ben.

The queen’s subjects, many of whom had never known another monarch, cheered her along the entire route and broke into spontaneous verses of “God Save the Queen.” Deeply touched by the outpouring of affection, Victoria occasionally wiped tears from her eyes before arriving at St. Paul’s Cathedral for a Thanksgiving service. Since painful arthritis impeded the 78-year-old queen’s ability to climb the cathedral steps, the decision had been made in advance to hold the service outside at the foot of St. Paul’s west steps. Crowds packed specially erected bleachers on surrounding rooftops. The steps of St. Paul’s were so crowded that choir members were forced to stand on the massive pedestals flanking the cathedral’s entrance. The queen, shading herself with a parasol, remained in her coach for the 20-minute ceremony. Following the brisk service, the procession drove off as the Archbishop of Canterbury shouted out, “Three cheers for the Queen!” The queen continued her circuit through London and returned to Buckingham Palace for a quiet luncheon followed by a dinner banquet. When darkness fell, a series of bonfires were set simultaneously on hills throughout Victoria’s kingdom to light up the British night.

The cheering and singing continued well into the night, no doubt aided by pubs remaining open until the special time of 2:30 a.m. In her journal, Queen Victoria called it “a never to be forgotten day.” “No one ever I believe, has met with such an ovation as was given to me, passing through those six miles of streets,” she wrote. “The crowds were quite indescribable and their enthusiasm truly marvelous and deeply touching. The cheering was quite deafening, and every face seemed to be filled with real joy. I was much moved and gratified.” To Victoria and everyone in London celebrating the Diamond Jubilee, it must have seemed as if the sun would indeed never set on the British Empire.

Tags Victoria and Elizabeth: A tale of 2 Diamond Jubilees - World - CBC News Victoria and Elizabeth: A tale of 2 Diamond Jubilees By Claire Penhorwood, CBC News Posted: May 25, 2012 3:30 PM ET Last Updated: May 30, 2012 11:23 AM ET Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee celebrations include members of her family visiting throughout the Commonwealth, while the commemoration of Queen Victoria's 60 years on the throne in 1897 was concentrated in London. (Getty Images) Related Stories The Diamond Jubilee (Note: CBC does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of external links.) Queen Elizabeth joins her great-great-grandmother, Queen Victoria, as the only other British monarch to celebrate a Diamond Jubilee. Victoria celebrated her 60 years on the throne in 1897, while the current queen marks her jubilee throughout 2012. The British Commonwealth and Britain itself have changed a great deal since Queen Victoria reigned. Here's a look at the two reigns, and the celebrations held more than a century apart to mark a monarch's six decades on the throne.

Queen Victoria The reign of Queen Victoria, shown in her Diamond Jubilee year of 1897, corresponded to a period of great change in Britain and its empire. (Associated Press) Queen Victoria ascended to the throne shortly after her 18th birthday, after her uncle died in June 1837. King William IV had no children, and Victoria was first in line for the throne. In the early years of her reign, Victoria was highly influenced by two important men in her life: her husband Prince Albert, whom she married in 1840, and her first prime minister, Lord Melbourne. Queen Victoria's reign corresponded to a period of great change in Britain and its empire. The Industrial Revolution was in full swing, there was great economic progress and Britain's empire was the largest and strongest in the world. Estelle Bouthillier, an information and documentation analyst at Concordia University in Montreal who has studied the history of the Royal Family, says Britain at the height of Queen Victoria’s reign was untouchable. "England was an isolationist; they had no treaties with any other country and they felt secure in their position," she says.

Victoria's Diamond Jubilee was also a rare opportunity for the British public to get a glimpse of their queen because she had been in relative seclusion since the death of her beloved husband in 1861. Heads of the Commonwealth countries came to London to mark Victoria's 60 years on the throne. The celebration began on June 20, with the official commemoration coming two days later. Sir Wilfrid Laurier, the prime minister of Canada at the time, went to London and was knighted. "Victoria became this very symbolic figure of England’s prosperity and the broader British Empire," says Carolyn Harris, a royal expert at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ont. Tens of thousands of well-wishers filled London streets that were decked out in decorations that cost 300,000 pounds. The 1897 celebrations of Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee included a huge procession to St. Paul's Cathedral in London. (National Archives of Canada/Canadian Press) The 1897 celebrations included a huge procession to St. Paul's Cathedral. Victoria wore a long black silk dress and, rather than a crown, had a bonnet decorated with white ostrich feathers and diamonds.

A thanksgiving service was held outside St. Paul's on the plaza so the increasingly frail Victoria would not have to climb the church steps. Victoria was moved by the experience, the Daily Telegraph has reported, noting that the Queen wrote in her journal that night: "No one ever, I believe, has met with such an ovation as was given to me, passing through those six miles of streets... The crowds were quite indescribable and their enthusiasm truly marvellous and deeply touching." In Victoria's frailty lies one of the major differences between the diamond jubilees of Victoria and Elizabeth. "The current Queen is extremely healthy and active for someone who is [86] years old and considering how long the Queen Mother lived, she may reign for another 10 or 15 years," says Harris, "but with Victoria there [was] very much a sense that her Diamond Jubilee was her final major appearance." Victoria died in 1901. A royal naval review featuring 165 ships and more than 40,000 participants was a finale to the 1897 jubilee celebration. "Queen Victoria was overwhelmed by the success of the Diamond Jubilee,"says Bouthillier.

"She recognized that the republicanism that was rampant before 1897 was finished forever." Queen Elizabeth Queen Elizabeth became queen in 1952, after the death of her father, King George VI. However, unlike the ailing Victoria who had her celebration close to home, Queen Elizabeth is celebrating her Diamond Jubilee with extensive travelling in the U.K., royal tours by her family members and numerous events. The current Queen is not only in better physical condition than Queen Victoria was, but also remains deeply devoted to her duty and the Commonwealth. Queen Elizabeth watches as servicemen and women parade in front of her as part of the Royal Muster held at Windsor Castle on May 19, 2012, to help mark her Diamond Jubilee. (Paul Vicente/Associated Press) "The current Queen takes her role as head of the Commonwealth very seriously," says Harris. "She is very interested in maintaining good international relationships and the current jubilee celebrations reflect that." All members of the Royal Family will be making visits to Commonwealth countries as part of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

"It’s interesting that in 2012, the various members of the Royal Family are travelling to all the Commonwealth states to celebrate the jubilee, whereas for Victoria, the dominion heads of state all travelled to London for the celebrations," says Harris. "This both reflects how difficult travel would have been for all the members of the Royal Family but it also really demonstrates the attitude of the time towards the hierarchy in the British empire." Throughout her reign, Queen Elizabeth has remained very active. She has opened the British Parliament 58 out of her 60 years, only missing two years because she was expecting Prince Andrew and then Prince Edward. The current Queen has also had to be more concerned about keeping the monarchy interesting and popular with the British public at a time when it has faced scandals and public skepticism. "The magic surrounding the monarch is different in our days, but it permits a better comprehension of the role of the monarch," said Bouthillier. Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee has evoked varied responses among the British public. Many critics look at her jubilee as a time to assess the future of the monarchy. "One effect of a very long-reigning monarchy is it is very difficult to imagine what the monarchy will be like afterwards," says Harris.

A similar situation ensued around the time of Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee. The British public was skeptical of the ability of Prince Edward to reign given his playboy reputation. "In 2012, there is the same feeling of concern; what will the monarchy look like once Queen Elizabeth passes and what sort of monarch will Prince Charles or Prince William make," says Harris. The Queen's Diamond Jubilee in United Kingdom Home Calendar Holidays United Kingdom The Queen's Diamond Jubilee The Queen's Diamond Jubilee in United Kingdom Tuesday, June 5, 2012, was a bank holiday to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee in the United Kingdom. Queen Elizabeth II surrounded by members of her family on a Buckingham Palace balcony in June 2015. Queen Elizabeth II surrounded by members of her family on a Buckingham Palace balcony in June 2015. ©iStockphoto.com/cheekylorns What Do People Do? Moreover, the late May bank holiday was moved to Monday, June 4, 2012, giving people across the UK a four-day long weekend. Many people had a day off work or school to celebrate the bank holiday on June 5, 2012.

The celebrations of the Queen’s 60-year reign included: A Diamond Jubilee Medal was commissioned. A UK-wide competition for towns to bid for city status. Royal Borough status was granted to Greenwich, which has a long-standing association with the Windsor family. Buckingham Palace organized many events centered on the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, while the UK’s Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) coordinated government-led activities in celebrating this special occasion. Public Life Government offices, schools, post offices and most businesses are closed on UK bank holidays. Background Queen Elizabeth II is the head of state of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK) and 15 other Commonwealth realms. She is the daughter of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. Born in 1926 in London, Elizabeth Alexandra Mary was named after her mother, while her two middle names are those of her paternal great-grandmother, Queen Alexandra, and her paternal grandmother, Queen Mary. She is the great-great-granddaughter of Queen Victoria (1819–1901). Queen Victoria, who reigned from 1837, is the only other British monarch to celebrate a Diamond Jubilee, in 1897.

Wartime Wedding Elizabeth married Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten–now Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh–at Westminster Abbey on November 20, 1947. The event was simple, as Britain was still recovering from World War II. The Queen came to the throne on February 6, 1952, and her coronation took place on June 2, 1953. She celebrated her Silver Jubilee in 1977 (25 years on the throne) and her Golden Jubilee in 2002 (50 years on the throne). In 2002, she visited 70 cities and towns in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland over 38 days from May to August. People all over the world held street parties, garden parties, and other events to celebrate the Golden Jubilee. The Queen and Prince Philip have four children, with Prince Charles–now the Prince of Wales–as heir apparent to the throne. Symbols British flags, stamps, and coins all represent the Crown in different ways.

The most notable symbols of the monarchy in the UK are the Crown Jewels and Regalia, the Honours of Scotland (the Scottish Crown Jewels) and the Principality of Wales. Other symbols include the Great Seal and the monarch’s personal emblems such as the Royal Standard and Coats of Arms. Buildings such as Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse are also seen to represent the monarchy in the UK. The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Observances The Queen's Diamond Jubilee was only observed in the year 2012. Weekday Queens Jubilee | Britroyals The Queen's Diamond Jubilee June 2013 - The 60th anniversary of the Queen's coronation Queen Elizabeth II was crowned at Westminster Abbey on 2 June 1953, nearly eighteen months after she succeeded her father, King George VI. The 60th anniversary of The Queen’s Coronation was marked with a service of celebration at Westminster Abbey on Tuesday 4th June 2013 at 11am. The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Duke & Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry and other Members of the Royal Family attended the service.

Foreign dignitaries from the Commonwealth and other nations were among those joining the Royal Family as guests In addition to the main service, Westminster Abbey hosted a series of special events to celebrate the anniversary. Westminster Abbey is the nation’s coronation church. 38 coronations have been held in the Abbey since the coronation of William the Conqueror in 1066. Edward I (1272-1307) ordered the construction of the Coronation Chair. Since the fourteenth century almost every monarch has been crowned in this chair. The exceptions are Edward V and Edward VIII, who were not crowned, and Mary II who was crowned as joint monarch alongside her husband William III in a replica chair (now in the Abbey’s museum) made for the occasion. Other celebrations included a four-day festival at Buckingham Palace Gardens in July. Coronation Festival The Coronation Festival, which took place over four days 11 -14 July 2013 in the Gardens of Buckingham Palace, celebrated the 60th anniversary of The Queen's Coronation. This unique event, hosted by the Royal Warrant Holders Association, brought together over 200 companies who hold Royal Warrants of Appointment.

Promoting the very best of UK plc, the Festival will celebrate innovation, excellence and industry through trade and craft. The Festival was open to members of the public who purchased a ticket for the daytime event; giving visitors the opportunity to explore the Gardens and buy, sample and experience the wide range of products and services from the exhibitors. There was also a Gala evening of entertainment - a celebration of music and dance over the past 60 years Coronation Exhibition - Buckingham Palace Saturday, 27 July 2013 to Sunday, 29 September 2013 The summer marked the 60th anniversary of one of the most momentous occasions in 20th-century British history – the Coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. To mark the anniversary of the event, a major exhibition for the Summer Opening of Buckingham Palace brought together for the first time since Coronation Day, a spectacular array of dress, uniform and robes worn by the principal royal party. Works of art, paintings and objects used on the day were also on display to recreate the atmosphere of that extraordinary occasion.

Portraits of a Monarch - Windsor Castle Friday, 23 November 2012 to Sunday, 09 June 2013 Queen Elizabeth II is one of the most depicted women in the world. She has sat to numerous artists, from Cecil Beaton and Pietro Annigoni to Lucian Freud. Her portrait likeness, so widely circulated, has also inspired artists such as Andy Warhol, whose screenprint portraits of Her Majesty have been recently acquired for the Royal Collection and are displayed for the first time at Windsor Castle. Portraits of The Queen are made for a number of official purposes, ranging from photographs distributed at the time of a State Visit, to those that mark a particular anniversary. Portraits bearing a clear and recognisable image of the sovereign are required for use on coins, banknotes and stamps. Many of the works on display were created with one of these purposes in mind. This exhibition presented a selection of official, commissioned and formal portraits of The Queen, gathered here from the different Royal residences. Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond (60th) Jubilee Celebrations 2012 marked the Diamond Jubilee of the reign of Queen Elizabeth II.

She became Queen when her father, King George VI , died on 6th February, 1952. Princess Elizabeth was 25 years old and she and her husband Prince Philip were on safari in Kenya when news of her father's death reached her. She returned home as Queen Elizabeth II. Her coronation took place in Westminster Abbey on 2nd June 1953. She celebrated her Silver Jubilee (25 years) in 1977, Golden Jubilee (50 years) in 2002, and 2012 marked the Diamond 60th Jubilee of her reign. The only other British monarch to celebrate a Diamond Jubilee was her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria who celebrated the 60th year of her reign in 1897. Kings and Queens by length of reign . To mark this historic occasion special events took place during 2012 throughout the UK and the Commonwealth Realms (countries in which she is Head of State), and in many Commonwealth Nations.

Visits around the UK The Queen, accompanied by her husband The Duke of Edinburgh, marked the Diamond Jubilee with visits and engagements throughout the United Kingdom.The programme included: 29th March 2012: North London 26th - 27th April Wales 1st - 2nd May: South West England 15th May: South London 16th - 17th May: North West England 2nd - 5th June: Central Weekend 13th - 14th June: East Midlands and East Anglia 25th June and 25th July: South East England 2nd - 6th July: Scotland (Holyrood Week) 11th - 12th July: West Midlands 18th - 19th July: North East England On 27th July The Queen opened the London 2012 Olympic Games. Even James Bond was invited.

Diamond Jubilee Week - 2nd to 5th June 2012 Official celebrations for The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee took place in a special Diamond Jubilee week between Saturday 2nd June and Tuesday 5th June 2012. Saturday 2nd June: The Queen attended the Epsom Derby. She is a keen horse racing fan and has been attending the Epsom Derby for eight decades. Sunday 3rd June: The Big Jubilee Lunch. People shared lunch with neighbours and friends as part of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations. Monday 4th June: A televised Diamond Jubilee Concert held at Buckingham Palace, with tickets available to UK residents by public ballot. Monday 4th June: 2,012 beacons were lit by communities and individuals throughout the United Kingdom, as well as the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man and the Commonwealth. Tuesday 5th June: A Service of Thanksgiving and Carriage Procession. The service took place at St Paul’s Cathedral, with a formal carriage procession by The Queen. Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant The Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant took place on Sunday 3rd June 2012.

The Pageant was one of the main celebrations being held to mark the 60-year reign of Queen Elizabeth II. 1,000 boats, from across the UK, the Commonwealth and around the world, sailed down the River Thames. The Queen led the flotilla in the Royal Barge reviving a tradition that dates back over 400 years. Despite pouring rain the organisers created a piece of theatre on the water, incorporating music, fireworks and special effects. The Royal Barge decorated in red and gold and featuring The Queen’s cipher and a crown carried The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh, along with other members of the Royal Family. The Prince of Wales was Patron of the Pageant. Commonwealth Day 12th March 2012 Her Majesty The Queen attended Commonwealth Day Observance in Westminster Abbey to celebrate Her Diamond Jubilee and 60 years as Head of the Commonwealth. It was attended by the Prime Minister, High Commissioners and over 1,000 UK school children. Visits to the Realms and Commonwealth countries Members of the Royal Family traveled overseas representing the Queen throughout the Diamond Jubilee year, visited every Realm as well as visits to Commonwealth countries, Crown Dependencies and British Overseas Territories.

These visits included: The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall (Prince Charles and Camilla) visited: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea The Prince of Wales: Channel Islands, Isle of Man The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (Prince William and Catherine): Malaysia, Singapore, Solomon Islands, and Tuvalu. The tiny Pacific nation of Tuvalu last had a royal visit in 1982 when the Queen and her husband Prince Philip were carried shoulder high by islanders into the capital Funafuti. Prince Harry: Belize, Jamaica, and The Bahamas The Duke of York (Prince Andrew): India The Earl and Countess of Wessex (Prince Edward and Sophie) : Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Gibraltar, Grenada, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago The Princess Royal (Princess Anne): Mozambique, Zambia The Duke of Gloucester (The Queen's cousin): British Virgin Islands, Malta The Duke of Kent: (The Queen's cousin): Falkland Islands, Uganda.

Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Emblem A national competition to design an “official emblem” for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee 2012 attracted over 35,000 entries from school children aged between 6 and 14. The overall winner of the competition, which was supported by Buckingham Palace and promoted through the BBC’s Blue Peter Programme, was 10 year old Katherine Dewar from Chester. Katherine, along with the winners and runners up from each age category, was invited to meet the Queen at a special reception at Buckingham Palace. Blue Peter, commenting on the The BBC Blue Peter website said: “We’ve never had a competition like this! This is only the second ever Diamond Jubilee, and a child has never designed an official Jubilee emblem before". Commemorative coins and stamps, as well as teaching materials linked the 60th anniversary, will be available. Time Capsule The Royal Commonwealth Society organised a special Jubilee Time Capsule, a digital archive of The Queen’s reign. Contributors were invited to use photos, words or videos and talk about anything they wanted.

Exhibitions There were special Royal Collection exhibitions at Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse and a touring exhibition to five UK venues marking Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee To mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012, the National Portrait Gallery staged a touring exhibition bringing together sixty of the most remarkable and resonant images of Elizabeth II. This was the first National Portrait Gallery exhibition to tour to British venues before being shown in London, opening in Edinburgh in June, Belfast in October and Cardiff and London in February 2012. The National Maritime Museum held a Royal River, Power, Pageantry and & The Thames exhibition.

Question: In which year did British monarch Queen Victoria celebrate her Diamond Jubilee?
Answer: 1897