Calgary celebrates Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee

The City of Calgary is planning events to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee and is inviting places of worship and buildings with bells or carillons to sound their chimes together in celebration.

The clock tower bell in Historic City Hall will lead the ringing at noon on Thursday.

“On her 70th anniversary of accession to the throne, Calgary congratulates Her Majesty The Queen and celebrates her achievements over seven decades,” said Mayor Jyoti Gondek.

Elizabeth II is the longest reigning British monarch of all time, surpassing the previous record holder, her great-great-grandmother Victoria in 2015.

The City is joining the British Commonwealth in celebrations which begin June 2  and run till June 5. Calgary is marking the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in several ways:

• Tree and flower bed planting and a commemorative plaque have been installed at Confederation Park – part of the Queen’s Green Canopy Initiative – Plant a Tree for the Jubilee.
• City Archives will display Queen Elizabeth II and Calgary’s Royal Connection at the Municipal Building Atrium through June (and online) featuring memorabilia from the last 70 years.
• Calgary buildings and landmarks, including Arts Commons, Olympic Plaza, Calgary Tower, Stephen Avenue Galleria Trees, and Telus Spark building, will be lit in the regal colour of purple on June 2.
• There will be an acknowledgement in Council Chambers on June 7 at 9:30 a.m. (watch online).

READ MORE:

• Jubilee: Balcony moment tells UK monarchy’s story over years

• A look at Queen Elizabeth II’s style through the decades

• Prince Harry, Prince Andrew not invited to Queen Elizabeth celebration

  ---

History of Queen Elizabeth II

Elizabeth II was 25 years old in February 1952 when her father King George VI died.

She was crowned Queen at her coronation on June 2, 1953, at Westminster Abbey, the setting for every coronation since 1066. The Queen’s coronation was the first ever to be broadcast live on television.

Three million people lined the processional route from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace, waiting to see The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh as they went by in the Gold State Coach.

To learn about the Platinum Jubilee, visit royal.uk/platinumjubilee.