The Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria was officially celebrated on 22 June 1897 to mark the occasion of the 60th anniversary of Queen Victoria's accession on 20 June 1837. Queen Victoria was the first British monarch ever to celebrate a Diamond Jubilee.
Background
Queen Victoria surpassed her grandfather King George III as the longest-reigning British monarch on 23 September 1896, an event that she marked privately at Balmoral Castle. She wrote in her journal, "People wished to make all sorts of demonstrations, which I asked them not to do until I had completed the sixty years next June." The Diamond Jubilee was therefore an opportunity to celebrate Victoria's status as longest-reigning monarch, in addition to marking 60 years on the throne.[1] On 20 June 1897, the sixtieth anniversary of her accession, Victoria wrote in her journal:[2]
This eventful day, 1897 has opened, and I pray God to help and protect me as He has hitherto done these sixty long eventful years! I feel sad at the new losses I have sustained, especially the last one of our beloved Liko! God will surely help me on! How well I remember this day sixty years ago when I was called from my bed by dear Mama to receive the news of my accession!
Indian Cavalry passing the Houses of Parliament, 22 June 1897
The occasion was marked publicly two days later by the Festival of the British Empire proposed by Joseph Chamberlain, who promoted the idea of a global celebration fit for a monarch ruling over 450 million people.[3] The day was declared a bank holiday in Britain, Ireland and India. The British Army and Royal Navy as well as troops from Canada, India, Africa and the South Pacific took part in the procession in London.[3] The Queen telegraphed a message to all nations in the British Empire: "From my heart I thank my beloved people. May God bless them."[2]
At 11:15 am, the Queen, along with Princess Helena and the Princess of Wales, took part in the parade in an open carriage from Buckingham Palace to St Paul's Cathedral, where thanksgiving service took place.[4] Seventeen other carriages carrying members of the royal family followed her.[4] Eleven colonial prime ministers were in attendance:[5][6]
Suffering from severe arthritis and unable to climb the steps, the Queen remained in her coach, so the short service of thanksgiving was held outside the building.[3][5] She was joined by the clergy and dignitaries.[4] Victoria returned to Buckingham Palace after touring a large area of London. Later, when reflecting on the occasion Victoria said:
No-one ever, I believe, has met with such an ovation as was given to me, passing through those six miles of streets... The crowds were quite indescribable and their enthusiasm truly marvellous and deeply touching. The cheering was quite deafening and every face seemed to be filled with joy.[3]
Thousands of residents in London and Manchester took part in street feasts, where Thomas Lipton distributed free ale and tobacco.[3] A chain of beacons were lit across the United Kingdom and Nottingham, Bradford and Hull were granted their city charter as part of the celebrations.[3] The following day the Queen visited Constitution Hill in the City of London where 10,000 schoolchildren had gathered, and attended a reception in Slough.[3]
The celebrations lasted a fortnight and a garden party at Buckingham Palace and a state banquet were held to mark the occasion.[4] Memorial fountains and towers were erected to mark the occasion, including the Jubilee Tower on the moors above Darwen in Lancashire and the Cunningham Clock Tower in Peshawar on the North West Frontier of British India. Alfred Austin and Rudyard Kipling also wrote special poems in honour of the Queen.[4]
Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee Service, 22 June 1897 by Andrew Carrick Gow
Clock Tower in Exmouth erected in 1897, to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria
'In Honour of our Queen': Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee Review at Spithead, 26 June 1897
Victoria in her official Diamond Jubilee photograph by W. & D. Downey
Victoria Avenue Jubilee Crown erected in Jersey for Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria, 1897
Front cover of a programme for a musical event held at Exhibition Park on June 22, 1897, Toronto, Ontario, Canada in honour of Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee
The Victoria Jubilee Fountain at Halifax, Canada, built in 1897 to mark the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria
The Clock Tower at Shanklin Esplanade, Isle of Wight, erected to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1897
