| Sapphire Jubilee of Elizabeth II | |
|---|---|
 A crown-shaped topiary created to commemorate the Sapphire Jubilee atHavering Town Hall, Romford | |
| Genre | Jubilee of the monarch of the United Kingdom and the otherCommonwealth realms |
| Date | 6 February 2017; 8 years ago (2017-02-06) |
| Country | |
| Previous event | Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II |
| Next event | Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II |
TheSapphire Jubilee of Elizabeth II on 6 February 2017, marked 65 years of QueenElizabeth II's reign. Thelongest-reigning monarch in British history, Elizabeth II was the first British monarch to have asapphire jubilee.[1]
Unlike herSilver,Golden, andDiamond Jubilees, there were no widespread public celebrations of the Queen's Sapphire Jubilee. Instead, like theFebruary 1992 Ruby Jubilee, the Queen did not undertake any official engagements.[1][2] As then, she spent the day in "quiet reflection" on the anniversary of the death of her father,George VI, and undertaking official work atSandringham House.[1][2] She attended a service at St Peter and St Paul Church inWest Newton, Norfolk, on Sunday 5 February, where she was greeted by crowds of well-wishers.[2] Larger-scale celebrations took place in June 2016, to mark the Queen's 90th birthday, and any extensive celebrations were reserved for a possiblePlatinum Jubilee in 2022.[2][3] Despite proposals for larger celebrations to mark the 65th anniversary of the Queen's accession in June 2017, including a mootedbank holiday, no such celebrations were held.[4]
TheCommonwealth Secretary-General, BaronessPatricia Scotland, congratulated the Queen for reaching the Sapphire Jubilee asHead of the Commonwealth and said that she has "been an inspirational monarch. It's clear how much she values the Commonwealth, how dear the Commonwealth family is to her heart, and in return how much the people of our 52 member states value and love her. ... Her wisdom, advice and wonderful support have been invaluable to me since I was elected to office in April 2016".[5]
On 8 February, in theHouse of Representatives, Prime MinisterMalcolm Turnbull delivered a statement in which he congratulated the Queen on her Sapphire Jubilee, and said "She is so revered and respected here that few of us can say that we are not Elizabethans". The Leader of the Opposition,Bill Shorten, said "Even staunch republicans cannot help but admire the dedication to public duty that the Queen has shown, the life of service that she has led".[6]
In theSenate, a motion was introduced by the Senator for Western Australia,Dean Smith, in which the Senate extended to the Queen "its continuing appreciation for the gracious manner in which she continues to fulfil her duties as Queen of Australia".[7]
On Accession Day,Justin Trudeau, theprime minister of Canada, congratulated the queen in a tweet:[8][9]
"Today marks the Queen's 65th anniversary on the throne – her #SapphireJubilee. Warmest congratulations & best wishes on behalf of Canadians."
Thegovernor general of Canada,David Johnston, congratulated the queen on her Sapphire Jubilee, and said "This impressive milestone, the first for any sovereign in our history, provides us with an opportunity to express our deepest gratitude for everything Her Majesty has done for the Canadian Crown".[10]
In theHouse of Commons of Canada,Randy Boissonnault, the member forEdmonton Centre, said, "As we reflect on our history throughout Canada's 150th birthday, we also mark and honour the story of our amazing monarch. God save the Queen".[11]
During the year, a grove of 65 maple trees was planted inRockcliffe Park in Ottawa, to mark the Queen's Sapphire Jubilee.[12] Other activities were hosted by lieutenant governors across the provinces, during the Jubilee year.[12]
OnCanada Day, thePrince of Wales and theDuchess of Cornwall inauguratedRideau Hall's new doors, as "The Queen's Entrance", in celebration of the Queen's Sapphire Jubilee.[13][14]
A statue of Elizabeth II was commissioned in 2017 to mark the Sapphire Jubilee and the150th anniversary of Canadian Confederation. However, its installation atQueen's Park was delayed until 2023 due to financing issues.[15]
At a celebration of Canada'ssesquicentennial atCanada House on 19 July 2017, theGovernor General of CanadaDavid Johnston presented the Sapphire Jubilee Snowflake Brooch to the Queen as a gift from the Government of Canada to celebrate the Queen's Sapphire Jubilee and to commemorateCanada 150.[16][17] David Johnston presented the Queen with the brooch moments before she and theDuke of Edinburgh unveiled a new Jubilee Walkway panel outside Canada House. The brooch was designed as a companion to the Diamond Maple Leaf brooch. The piece was made by Hillberg & Berk of Saskatchewan and consists ofsapphires from a cache found in 2002 onBaffin Island by brothers Seemeega and Nowdluk Aqpik.[12]
A motion was introduced in theNew Zealand Parliament, byWinston Peters, Leader ofNew Zealand First, in respect of the Sapphire Jubilee of the Queen and was passed by the House. In the motion, the House congratulated the Queen of New Zealand on becoming the first monarch of New Zealand to reach a sapphire jubilee, marking 65 years on the throne.[18]
The Sapphire Jubilee featured blue stamps from theRoyal Mail, commemorative coins from theRoyal Mint, including one worth £50,000,[19] and a reissue of an official 2014 portrait of Queen Elizabeth II byDavid Bailey.[20] In this official portrait, the Queen wears sapphire jewellery which she received as a wedding present from her father.[21]
The Jubilee also involved the ringing of the bells inWestminster Abbey, a 41-gun salute by theKing's Troop, Royal Horse Artillery inGreen Park, a 62-gun salute by theHonourable Artillery Company at theTower of London and gun salutes in several other places around the United Kingdom.[2][22]
Theresa May, theprime minister of the United Kingdom, congratulated the queen, saying in part that the occasion was "another remarkable milestone for our remarkable Queen. ... I know the nation will join with me today in celebrating and giving thanks for the lifetime of service Her Majesty the Queen has given to our country and to theCommonwealth. ... She has truly been an inspiration to all of us and I am proud, on behalf of the nation, to offer our humble thanks and congratulations on celebrating this Sapphire Jubilee".[2][23]
In September 2017, a newcommunity centre inCollier Row,Romford, was named the Sapphire Jubilee Community Centre in the Queen's honour.[24]
To mark the Queen's Sapphire Jubilee,Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council instituted "The Queen's Sapphire Jubilee Awards",[25] which are awarded to young people aged between 7 and 20 years, to support them to get started, improve and excel in sport, art, dance or drama. The awards are presented to successful candidates at the Annual Council.[26]
Penhaligon's released a limited edition version of their Lily of the Valley perfume, to commemorate the Queen's Sapphire Jubilee. Only 65 crystal bottles were produced – one to mark each year since the Queen's accession to the throne in 1952 and the bows on every single bottle were embroidered with a number. It was announced that a percentage of the profits from this product would go towards theQueen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust.[27][28]
The BritishPobjoy Mint released special Titanium coins featuring theRoyal coat of arms to mark the Queen's Sapphire Jubilee. The obverse features a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. Titanium reacts differently with every strike, making each coin unique in terms of colour. The coins also feature a lined effect due to its composition.[29]
The Sapphire Ice & Leisure Centre atRomford, England, named to honour the Sapphire Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, opened to the public on 3 February 2018. The building is five storeys high and includes an eight-lane pool for competitions and a 56m by 26m ice rink, and is home for the ice hockey team, theLondon Raiders. From an external viewpoint, the combination of the building's rectangular shape and its lightweight facade were used to mimic the appearance of an ice cube.[30][31]
In 2018,Garrard & Co unveiled a 118.88ct royal blue Burmese sapphire presented in a brooch that features a signature cluster setting. The jewel was named in honour of the 65th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II's coronation, a date traditionally marked by the gift of a sapphire, and pays tribute to the House's role in remodelling theImperial State Crown for the occasion.[32]
In Guernsey, commemorative coins were issued to mark the Queen's Sapphire Jubilee.[33]
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