Jubilee Celebrations in London

Canadians from across the country, including the Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada, participated in special events in London, United Kingdom, to celebrate Her Majesty The Queen’s 60-year reign. Here is a snapshot of some of the events that took place in London as Canadians honoured 60 years of Her Majesty as Queen of Canada.

The Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant

On June 3, the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant saw a flotilla of approximately 1,000 boats sail down the River Thames in a tribute to Her Majesty. Canadians were well represented, with members of the Royal Canadian Navy escorting the royal barge, the MV Spirit of Chartwell.

The W. Garfield Weston Foundation joined the Canadian Canoe Museum in celebrating the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant by sending Canada One, a replica of a voyageur canoe, to participate in the flotilla, honouring the voyageur men and women who were instrumental in opening up our great country. Crews of breast cancer survivors, Abreast From the West and Internationally Abreast, were also paddling dragon boats for the event.

The Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant comprised up to 1 000 boats from across the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth and around the world.

Canada House

On June 3, 2012, Canada House, home to Canada’s High Commission in the United Kingdom, welcomed 400 Canadians for a Big Jubilee Lunch and the opening of a special exhibition of photographs of The Queen’s visits to Canada over the past 60 years.  Her Majesty has visited Canada 22 times since her Coronation, more than any other country.

Canadian participants in the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant were honoured at a reception at Canada House, as two beacons were lit to join hundreds of others around the world before Her Majesty The Queen lit one of her own at Buckingham Palace on June 4, 2012.

At Canada House, two beacons were lit to join hundreds of others around the world before Her Majesty The Queen lit one of her own at Buckingham Palace on June 4, 2012.

Unveiling of the Painting of Her Majesty

This original painting of Queen Elizabeth II by Canadian artist Phil Richards was created to mark the historic occasion of Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee. The painting was unveiled by The Queen, with the Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada and His Excellency David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, at a special ceremony at Buckingham Palace during the Diamond Jubilee week. It is the third portrait of The Queen commissioned by the Government of Canada during Her Majesty’s reign.

Following the official unveiling on June 6, the Diamond Jubilee painting was on display at the Canadian High Commission in London from June 7-14, 2012. The painting was installed in Rideau Hall on June 28, 2012.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, with the Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada, and His Excellency David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, unveils the original painting of The Queen by Canadian artist Phil Richards (left).

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Celebrations in the United Kingdom began in May 2012 with the Diamond Jubilee pageant at the Royal Windsor Horse Show, featuring the Royal Canadian Mounted Police musical ride, The Tenors and Inuit performers Artcirq.

On May 23-24, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police participated in The Mounting of The Queen’s Life Guard at Horse Guards, the first foreign non-military force to be given this honour.

The RCMP officer in the centre carries The Queen's Colour, a battle honour that signifies that they are The Queen's official Life Guard for the day (Photo Credit: © Crown Copyright/Picture by: Tpr. Mark Larner RY).