Sapphire Jubilee of Elizabeth II facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sapphire Jubilee of Elizabeth II |
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A crown-shaped topiary created to commemorate the Sapphire Jubilee at Havering Town Hall, Romford
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| Genre | Jubilee of British monarch |
| Date(s) | 6 February 2017 |
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| Previous event | Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II |
| Next event | Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II |
The Sapphire Jubilee of Elizabeth II happened on 6 February 2017. It marked 65 years since Queen Elizabeth II became queen. She is the longest-reigning ruler in British history. Queen Elizabeth II was also the first British monarch to celebrate a Sapphire Jubilee.
Unlike her Silver, Golden, and Diamond Jubilees, there were no big public parties for the Sapphire Jubilee. Instead, like her Ruby Jubilee in February 1992, the Queen did not have any official events. She spent the day quietly, remembering her father, George VI, who had passed away on that date. She also did official work at Sandringham House. The day before, on Sunday 5 February, she went to a church service and was greeted by many people. Bigger celebrations had already happened in June 2016 for her 90th birthday. Any large parties were being saved for a possible Platinum Jubilee in 2022. Even though some people suggested bigger celebrations for the 65th anniversary in June 2017, like a public holiday, none were held.
Celebrating the Jubilee
The leader of the Commonwealth, Baroness Scotland, congratulated the Queen. She said the Queen had been an inspiring ruler and that she clearly cared a lot about the Commonwealth. She also mentioned how much the people in the 52 member countries loved the Queen.
Australia
On 8 February, in the Australian Parliament, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull congratulated the Queen. He said she was so highly respected that almost everyone in Australia felt connected to her reign. The Leader of the Opposition, Bill Shorten, added that even people who don't want a queen still admire her dedication to public service.
In the Senate, a proposal was made by Senator Dean Smith. It thanked the Queen for how well she continued to perform her duties as Queen of Australia.
Canada
On the day she became Queen, Justin Trudeau, the Prime Minister of Canada, congratulated her on Twitter:
"Today marks the Queen's 65th anniversary on the throne – her #SapphireJubilee. Warmest congratulations & best wishes on behalf of Canadians."
The Governor General of Canada, David Johnston, also congratulated the Queen. He said this important milestone, the first for any ruler in Canadian history, was a chance to thank her deeply for all she had done for Canada.
In the Canadian House of Commons, Randy Boissonnault said, "As we look back at our history during Canada's 150th birthday, we also remember and honor the story of our amazing monarch. God save the Queen".
During 2017, 65 maple trees were planted in Rockcliffe Park in Ottawa. This was done to mark the Queen's Sapphire Jubilee.
On Canada Day, The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall opened new doors at Rideau Hall. They were named "The Queen's Entrance" to celebrate the Sapphire Jubilee.
Local representatives of the Queen, called Lieutenant Governors, hosted events across the provinces during the Jubilee year.
The Sapphire Jubilee Snowflake Brooch
At a celebration for Canada's 150th anniversary on 19 July 2017, the Governor General of Canada David Johnston gave the Sapphire Jubilee Snowflake Brooch to the Queen. It was a gift from the Canadian government to celebrate her Sapphire Jubilee and Canada's 150th birthday. David Johnston gave the Queen the brooch just before she and the Duke of Edinburgh unveiled a new panel outside Canada House. The brooch was designed to go with the Diamond Maple Leaf brooch. It was made by Hillberg and Berk of Saskatchewan. The sapphires in the brooch were found in 2002 on Baffin Island by two brothers, Seemeega and Nowdluk Aqpik.
New Zealand
A proposal was made in the Parliament of New Zealand by Winston Peters. It was about the Queen's Sapphire Jubilee and was approved by the House. The proposal congratulated the Queen of New Zealand for being the first monarch of New Zealand to reach a sapphire jubilee, marking 65 years on the throne.
United Kingdom
The Sapphire Jubilee was marked with blue stamps from the Royal Mail. The Royal Mint also made special coins, including one worth £50,000. An official portrait of Queen Elizabeth II from 2014 by David Bailey was re-released. In this picture, the Queen wears sapphire jewelry that her father gave her as a wedding present.
The Jubilee also included the ringing of bells at Westminster Abbey. There was a 41-gun salute by the King's Troop, Royal Horse Artillery in Green Park. The Honourable Artillery Company fired a 62-gun salute at the Tower of London. Gun salutes also took place in several other parts of the United Kingdom.
Theresa May, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, congratulated the Queen. She said the occasion was "another remarkable milestone for our remarkable Queen." She added that the nation would join her in celebrating and thanking the Queen for her lifetime of service to the country and the Commonwealth. She called the Queen an inspiration and offered humble thanks for the Sapphire Jubilee.
Other tributes
In September 2017, a new community centre in Collier Row, Romford, was named the Sapphire Jubilee Community Centre in the Queen's honor.
To mark the Queen's Sapphire Jubilee, Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council started "The Queen's Sapphire Jubilee Awards." These awards are given to young people aged 7 to 20. They help young people get started, improve, and do well in sports, art, dance, or drama. The awards are given out at the Annual Council meeting.
Penhaligon's released a special version of their Lily of the Valley perfume. It was made to celebrate the Queen's Sapphire Jubilee. Only 65 crystal bottles were produced, one for each year since the Queen became queen in 1952. The bows on each bottle had a number embroidered on them. A part of the money made from this product went to the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust.
The British Pobjoy Mint released special Titanium coins. They featured the Royal coat of arms to mark the Queen's Sapphire Jubilee. One side of the coins showed a picture of Queen Elizabeth II. Titanium reacts differently each time it's made, so every coin was unique in color. The coins also had a lined effect because of what they were made of.
The Sapphire Ice & Leisure Centre in Romford, England, opened on 3 February 2018. It was named to honor the Sapphire Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. The building is five stories tall and has an eight-lane swimming pool for competitions and a 56-meter by 26-meter ice rink. It is home to the ice hockey team, the London Raiders. From the outside, the building's rectangular shape and light outer walls were designed to look like an ice cube.
In 2018, the House of Garrard showed off a large, royal blue Burmese sapphire that weighed 118.88 carats. It was set in a brooch with a special way of arranging the jewels. The jewel was named to honor the 65th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II's coronation. This date is traditionally marked by a gift of a sapphire. The jewel also honored Garrard's role in changing the design of the Imperial State Crown for the coronation.
Guernsey
In Guernsey, special coins were made to celebrate the Queen's Sapphire Jubilee.
See also
In Spanish: Jubileo de Zafiro de Isabel II para niños
