Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria

Background. Victoria surpassed her grandfather King George III as the longest-reigning British monarch on 23 September 1896, an event she marked privately at Balmoral Castle. She requested that public demonstrations be delayed until 1897 to coincide with her Diamond Jubilee, which was made a festival of the British Empire at the suggestion of Colonial Secretary Joseph Chamberlain. The Jubilee celebrated both her status as the longest-reigning monarch and the 60th anniversary of her accession.

Celebrations. The sixtieth anniversary of Victoria's accession was celebrated on 20 June 1897 with a thanksgiving service at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. On 22 June 1897, the Queen took part in a parade from Buckingham Palace to St Paul's Cathedral in London, where a thanksgiving service took place. The procession followed a six-mile route through London and included troops from all over the empire.

International. The Diamond Jubilee was made a festival of the British Empire. People across Canada staged their own jubilee celebrations in honour of the Queen. Prime Minister Wilfrid Laurier led the Canadian delegation to the festivities in London. Roberta Geddes-Harvey, one of Canada's first female composers, composed words and music for Victoria the Rose of England.