Silver Jubilee

1977
25 YEARS

The Queen chose to meet as many people as possible while celebrating her Silver Jubilee.

Her Majesty visited more places in Britain than any monarch before her.

The royal couple also embarked on a world tour, reaching 36 counties in total.

Her Majesty and Prince Philip arrived in Canada on October 14 and were welcomed by Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, Governor General Jules Léger and other officials.

The Queen opened Parliament in Ottawa with the Speech from the Throne on October 18, 1977. 

Ruby Jubilee

1992
40 YEARS

At Her Majesty’s request the Ruby Jubilee was a relatively quiet affair. In the U.K. tributes included the poem The Unicorn by Ted Hughes and a set of commemorative stamps issued by the Crown Agents Stamp Bureau.

The Queen unveiled two commemorative stained-glass windows at Rideau Hall during her visit to Canada from June 30 to July 3.

The royal window marked the 40 years since Her Majesty’s accession to the throne and Canada’s 125th anniversary of Confederation.

The viceregal window recognized the 40th year of the appointment of Canadian Governors General and the 25th year of the Canadian Honours System.

The Queen celebrated Canada Day in Ottawa on Parliament Hill, where she unveiled a bronze monument in her likeness astride Centenial [sic], a horse gifted to Her Majesty by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

Golden Jubilee

2002
50 YEARS

The passing of Princess Margaret, the Queen’s sister, and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother marked the early months of 2002 with great personal sadness for Her Majesty.

Golden Jubilee celebrations began in the summer with Party at the Palace, the first-ever public concert on the grounds of Buckingham Palace. Brian May, guitarist for the band Queen, played a guitar solo of God Save the Queen from the palace rooftop. Annie Lennox, Paul McCartney and dozens more performed for the Her Majesty and a crowd of more than 12,000 on the palace grounds. An estimated 1 million watched the show in the Mall and around the Queen Victoria Memorial.

A 12-day stop in Canada concluded the royal couple’s Golden Jubilee tour. A tea party was held for the public on the Legislature Grounds.

Six themes united the Golden Jubilee events: celebration, community, service, past and future, giving thanks and the Commonwealth.

Diamond Jubilee

2012
60 YEARS

The grandeur of Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee program mirrored that of Her Majesty’s great-great-grandmother, Queen Victoria. Events featured a pageant of about 1,000 boats on the River Thames, a service of thanksgiving at St. Paul’s Cathedral and a carriage procession to Buckingham Palace.

People of all walks of life throughout the Commonwealth marked the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee with small street or garden parties, larger Jubilee lunches and big, flashy concerts highlighting international performers.

In Canada Diamond Jubilee medals were awarded to Canadians who made important contributions in their communities, and a new portrait of Her Majesty was commissioned for Rideau Hall.

Sapphire Jubilee

2017
65 YEARS

The Sapphire Jubilee marked the first of its kind for the British Monarchy.

Much like the Ruby Jubilee, the Queen primarily celebrated privately. Her Majesty spent the day at her Sandringham estate in eastern England while the public celebrated with a few small tributes.

Ceremonial gun salutes fired at locations like the Tower of London and the bells rung at Westminster Abbey. The Royal Mail issued a Sapphire Jubilee stamp worth £5, and the Royal Mint pressed jubilee coins, including one worth about £50,000.