The Governor General of Canada has shared a new heraldic emblem for The Queen’s Canadian Platinum Jubilee.
Shared on social media on Monday, 7 February, the new design is described as: “Created and painted by Cathy Bursey-Sabourin, Fraser Herald, the emblem’s seven-sided shape, seven pearls and seven maple leaves all celebrate the 70 years of Her Majesty’s reign.”
While celebration plans for a bank holiday weekend have already been announced in the UK, much of the Commonwealth is only starting to release their plans now. In Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Platinum Jubilee statement, he said:
“To mark this very special occasion and celebrate Canadian achievements over the last 70 years, the Government of Canada will host a range of activities throughout the year and support community projects and initiatives across the country. I invite all Canadians to take part in these celebrations – while continuing to follow public health guidelines – and to reflect on our unique bond with the monarchy and the many special moments we have shared with Her Majesty.”
Forthcoming Jubilee plans for Canadian celebrations will be following in the weeks to come.
Queen Elizabeth II is also separately Queen of Canada; with the 1931 Statute of Westminster, Canada and the other Dominions were granted constitutional independence from Britain, and the monarch served as a monarch of each Dominion.
In Canada, the sovereign is represented by the Governor General. The current Governor General of Canada is Mary Simon, who took office in July 2021. She is the first Indigenous Canadian in the role and is already proving to be popular.
Simon’s Jubilee message on 6 February also highlights the new emblem:
“We should be proud of what we have accomplished together. In communities from coast to coast to coast, people are marking the jubilee by paying tribute to the only monarch many of us have ever known. All across the country, you will see the unique emblem created by the Canadian Heraldic Authority for this important occasion. Just one of the many commemorations during this important year. I would like to congratulate Her Majesty on the Platinum Jubilee.”
