A history of Jubilees

Royal Jubilees are an occasion to celebrate the life and reign of a Monarch, and are significant events which are celebrated around the world. Though the concept of the jubilee began in biblical times, today the term is most closely associated with the Royal Family, and the ceremony and spectacle which the term symbolises

In the New Testament, Jesus presents himself as the One who brings the old Jubilee to completion, because he has come to "preach the year of the Lord's favour" (Isaiah 61: 1-2). In the Roman Catholic Church, jubilees began to be celebrated formally in 1300 AD and are years of forgiveness of sins and reconciliation. They are celebrated every 25 years. The most recent year of jubilee was 2000.

Royal Jubilees celebrate significant periods in monarchs' reigns and the national life. Few British monarchs have achieved reigns of 50 years, and Golden Jubilees are very rare. There are few records of how - if at all - Henry III, Edward III and James VI and I celebrated their 50-year milestones.

The first British monarch to mark 50 years on the throne in a significant way was George III, followed by Queen Victoria. The Queen has had significant jubilee celebrations in 1977 (for her Silver Jubilee), 2002 (for her Golden Jubilee) and 2012 (for her Diamond Jubilee).

George III

The celebration of the Sovereign's jubilee years really began in the long reign of King George III. The beginning of the fiftieth year of his reign, on 25 October 1809, was marked both in Britain and the Colonies. The King and other members of the Royal Family attended a private service in Windsor and a grand fete and firework display at Frogmore. In London the Lord Mayor and Corporation processed to St Paul's Cathedral for a service of thanksgiving before holding a dinner at the Mansion House. 

Queen Victoria

The longest-reigning British monarch, Queen Victoria celebrated Golden and Diamond Jubilees marking 50 and 60 years of her reign.



Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee was celebrated on 20 and 21 June 1887. On 20 June the day began quietly with breakfast under the trees at Frogmore, the resting place of her beloved late husband, Prince Albert.

She then travelled by train from Windsor to Paddington and across the parks to Buckingham Palace for a royal banquet in the evening. Fifty foreign kings and princes, along with the governing heads of Britain's overseas colonies and dominions, attended the feast.

She wrote in her diary of the event: "Had a large family dinner. All the Royalties assembled in the Bow Room, and we dined in the Supper-room, which looked splendid with the buffet covered with the gold plate. The table was a large horseshoe one, with many lights on it.

"The King of Denmark took me in, and Willy of Greece sat on my other side. The Princes were all in uniform, and the Princesses were all beautifully dressed. Afterwards we went into the Ballroom, where my band played."

On the following day, Queen Victoria travelled in an open landau to Westminster Abbey, escorted by Indian cavalry. The procession through London, according to Mark Twain, "stretched to the limit of sight in both directions".

Bodies of soldiers in one colour, then another, marched past the spectators, who were accommodated on terraced benches along 10 miles of scaffolding erected for the purpose. Queen Victoria rode in the procession in her gilded State landau, drawn by six cream-coloured horses She refused to wear a crown, wearing instead a bonnet and a long dress.

The Queen took a keen interest in her Empire, and many representatives of the colonies attended the celebrations. The number of Indian princes - "men of stately build and princely carriage", noted Mark Twain - in splendid ceremonial dress, who attended to pay their respects, and the Indian cavalry which escorted the Queen to Westminster Abbey, attracted much attention.

On return to the Palace, she appeared on the balcony, where she was cheered by huge crowds. In the Ballroom she distributed Jubilee brooches to her family. In the evening, she put on a splendid gown embroidered with silver roses, thistles and shamrocks for a banquet. Afterwards she received a long procession of diplomats and Indian princes. She was then wheeled in her chair to sit and watch the fireworks in the garden.

Ten years later, Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee was marked by many celebrations, including, on 22 June 1897, a progress to St Paul's Cathedral, where a short service of thanksgiving was held outside the building, as the Queen was too lame to manage the steps.

Eleven colonial Prime Ministers were in attendance. The Queen's progress continued via the Mansion House across London Bridge and through South London, before returning over Westminster Bridge, past the Houses of Parliament to Buckingham Palace.

In her journal the Queen wrote: "No one ever, I believe, has met with such an ovation as was given to me, passing through those 6 miles of streets . . . The cheering was quite deafening & every face seemed to be filled with real joy. I was much moved and gratified." 

History of jubilee souvenirs

Commemorative souvenirs have been a popular way of marking Royal events such as Jubilees for the last three centuries. The earliest known English commemorative items date from the Restoration of Charles II as king in 1660, followed by his Coronation in 1661 and wedding in 1662. The arrival of new manufacturing methods in the last 250 years made such items more affordable by the general public.

Popular items which have been used to commemorate Jubilees past and present include coins, stamps and ceramics.

Special issue coins were first used to mark a Royal Jubilee with the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1887. The majority of jubilee coins have been issued in crown size (the crown was equal in value to 5 shillings), because the size of the coin allows more detail. Commemorative coins are not intended for general use and are almost always collected in uncirculated mint condition. For The Queen's Silver Jubilee a special 25-pence coin was issued, designed by Andrew Machin. On the obverse it shows The Queen on horseback, and on the reverse, the coronation ampulla and anointing spoon with a floral decoration around. A total of 473,000 of these coins were issued in sterling silver; a further 37,453,000 were issued in copper-nickel.

The first stamps associated with a Royal event were those issued in 1887, the year of Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee, although they were not intended as commemorative issues. Specific Jubilee sets of stamps were first issued in 1935 for George V's Jubilee, including issues in the dominions, including Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand and South Africa. Stamps were also issued for The Queen's Silver Jubilee in 1977, amounting to over 200 stamps in the UK, Crown dependencies and Commonwealth countries.

Ceramics have also proved popular for Jubilee souvenirs. Commemorative items survive in significant numbers from the reign of George III onwards, taking advantage of industrialized production methods such as transfer prints to produce affordable items including mugs, bowls , plaques, jugs and urns.

As well as these traditional items, many imaginative Jubilee pieces have been produced over the years. Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee, for example, was celebrated with souvenir items including teapots, butter dishes, mirrors, handkerchiefs, woven silk pictures and even wallpaper and pipes. For The Queen's Silver Jubilee items ranged from plates, money boxes, jugs and vases to socks, shopping bags, jigsaw puzzles and t-shirts.

Of course, not all Jubilee souvenirs have high commercial value, especially those produced in large numbers - it is the meaning and memories associated with the souvenirs which gives them their value.

Related content

Feature

The Queen's Jubilees and other milestones

Find out more about how Her Majesty's reign has been celebrated at key moments.
Feature

A history of Jubilees

Royal Jubilees are an occasion to celebrate the life and reign of a Monarch.
Encyclopedia

The Hanoverians

Press release 25 September 2012

60 Facts about The Diamond Jubilee celebrations in the UK

Read more
Press release 13 September 2012

The 2012 Diamond Jubilee Honours List

Read more
Press release 05 June 2012

The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Message

Read more
Press release 05 June 2012

Text of The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Message

Read more
Press release June 2012

The Queen's Golden Jubilee message

Read more

A speech by Prince Harry at the Victoria Jubilee Hospital

It is one hundred and twenty years since this hospital was founded in honour of a Queen's Jubilee.

06 March 2012

A speech by Prince Harry to open the Diamond Jubilee exhibition in the Bahamas

The Bahamas holds a special place in Her Majesty’s heart.

04 March 2012

A speech by Prince Harry at a Diamond Jubilee street naming ceremony in Belize

Let the party begin! "Mek wih go paaty" (in Kriol)

03 March 2012
Press release 14 February 2012

The Earl and The Countess of Wessex tour the West Indies

Read more
Press release 08 February 2012

Diamond Jubilee visits around the UK

Read more
Press release 07 February 2012

Diamond Jubilee Concert Launch

Read more
Press release 06 February 2012

Official Diamond Jubilee photographs released

Read more
Press release 06 February 2012

The Queen's Diamond Jubilee message

Read more
Press release 14 December 2011

Regional and overseas visits to mark the Diamond Jubilee

Read more
Press release 21 February 2011

Diamond Jubilee emblem unveiled

Read more
Press release 31 October 2010

Launch of Diamond Jubilee emblem competition

Read more
Press release 05 January 2010

The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee 2012

Read more

A speech by The Queen at the opening of CHOGM, 2009

Our shared pledge to “the pursuit of peace, liberty and progress” that my father helped to enshrine in the London Declaration in 1949 means as much today as it did then.

27 November 2009

A speech by The Queen at the '1914-1918 Vigil' at Canada House

Among the millions who lost their lives in the Great War were many Canadians who came to Europe to fight for peace.

04 November 2008

A speech by The Queen at Imperial College

By discharging this academic mission, you play a vital role in supporting this country's position on the world stage.

09 July 2007

A speech by The Queen at the 90th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge

The Canadian Corps transformed Vimy Ridge from a symbol of despair into a source of inspiration.

09 April 2007

A speech by The Queen at Mansion House for Her Majesty's 80th Birthday

As Groucho Marx once said "Anyone can get old - all you have to do is to live long enough". And there are in my view many other anniversaries this year which are more...

15 June 2006

A speech by The Queen at the Royal Hospital Chelsea's Founder's Day Parade, 2006

You are a shining illustration of the history of the British Army and of this great institution.

08 June 2006

Dinner in HMS Victory, 200th anniversary of Trafalgar, 21 October 2005

Success at Trafalgar was by no means a foregone conclusion.

21 October 2005

World War II commemorative event, Horse Guards Parade, 10 July 2005

An act of remembrance is an act of honour.

10 July 2005

Centenary of Alberta joining Confederation, Alberta Legislature, Canada, 24 May 2005

While all Albertans — and all Canadians — value this history as a colourful account of the past, we also view it as a foundation for our present and future.

24 May 2005

Federal lunch in Regina, Saskatchewan, 20 May 2005

I retain a deep affection for this great country and for the people who take such pride in saying "I am Canadian".

20 May 2005

Marking 60th anniversary of the end of World War II in Guernsey, 9 May 2005

Prince Philip and I are happy to be in Guernsey on this sixtieth anniversary of liberation and to have joined in the Service of Thanksgiving

09 May 2005

Visit to Jersey to mark the 60th anniversary of Liberation, 9 May 2005

I am pleased that so many people are present today for whom the 9th of May has such a personal significance.

09 May 2005