From the archives: Canada marks the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II
Sixty years ago, Canada celebrated its new queen with everything from parades to postal stamps. After acceding to the throne on Feb. 6, 1952, Queen Elizabeth II was crowned June 2, 1953, with images of her televised ceremony beamed into households across the Commonwealth.
The cover design of the approved souvenir program of the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. The Canadian edition issued by King George's Jubilee Trust May 12, 1952 was sold for $1 dollar each.The Associated Press
Four Canadians were selected as gold staff officers for the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II on June 2, 1953. They acted as royal ushers at Westminster Abbey, carrying short gold staffs bearing the Queen's cipher and directing guests to their seats in the Abbey. In all, they were on their feet for nine hours. From left to right: G.G. Crean of Toronto, counsellor; Lt-Col. H.E. Price of Quebec City, secretary of the Canadian Joint Staff in London; Louis Couillard of Ottawa, first secretary at Canada House; and Robert Campbell Smith of Vancouver, Commerical Secretary.The Canadian Press
German-born sculptor Emanuel Hahn (1881-1957), poses in his studio on Adelaide Street in Toronto on Jan. 28, 1953. Mr. Hahn is seen working on a profile of Queen Elizabeth II. His designs were used on Canada’s Coronation stamps.The Globe and Mail
Artists prepare a large-scale Canadian emblem for coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, which adorned the coronation stands in Parliament Square along with the emblems of other Commonwealth countries, at London's Victoria and Albert Museum. Each emblem measured 16 square feet (about 1.5 square metres).The Associated Press
Workmen install decorations on May 22, 1953 over the Yonge Street door of Eaton's department store in downtown Toronto to celebrate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.The Globe and Mail
Fine needlework went into every article of full dress regalia, which included uniforms worn by Canadian troops during Coronation services for Queen Elizabeth II. A girl is seen completing a trumpet banner on the London premises of Messrs. Hobsons and Sons in May, 1953.The Globe and Mail
42 members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, in Britain for the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, ride past London's Royal Exchange after disembarking from their liner. The Mounties were heading for billets in Knightsbridge.The Associated Press
The 100-strong coronation contingent from Canada arrived at Liverpool aboard the liner Franconia on May 9, 1953. At the landing stage to greet the contingent were the Lord Mayor of Liverpool (Alderman A.E. Morrow) and Lt-Gen. Sir Charles Loewen, General Officer commanding the Western Command. This photo shows the pipe and drum band of the Liverpool Irish lead the contingent along the quay at Liverpool after they disembarked.The Associated Press
Karsh’s photograph of Elizabeth was incorporated into a design used on envelopes marking her coronation. The envelopes, produced by the British Philatelic Association and the Philatelic Traders' Society, sold for three pence each. The portrait was in sepia, with a gold frame in purple surround. Elizabeth’s crown was also coloured purple and gold.The Associated Press
Spectators standing 20 deep around Parliament Hill form a square for the 7,000 Queen's troops paying homage to Her Majesty in an Ottawa ceremony, the climax of Coronation observances in the capital on June 2, 1953. Governor-General Vincent Massey took the salute on behalf of the Queen. Crowds broke through police lines to sweep over an area reserved for the viceregal and officers had to tussle with citizens to recover chairs.
A canopy of cloth of gold is placed over Elizabeth by the four Garter Knights prior to her anointing by the Archbishop of Canterbury at coronation ceremonies in London's Westminster Abbey, June 2, 1953. For anointing, the Queen was disrobed of her crimson Parliament robes and took off her diadem and jewels herself.The Associated Press
Queen Elizabeth II, wearing her crown, center foreground, leads the procession through Westminster Abbey's nave after her coronation in London, England, June 2, 1953. The Queen was flanked by the Bishop of Durham Rev. Arthur Michael Ramsay, left, and the Bishop of Bath and Wells High Rev. Harold William Bradfield. Maids of honour followed behind, carrying the cape.The Associated Press
Queen Elizabeth II, wearing the Imperial Crown, smiles and waves to crowd from balcony of Buckingham Palace on June 3, 1953 in London, on returning from Westminster Abbey following her coronation.The Associated Press
Queen Elizabeth II poses in the Throne Room of Buckingham Palace after her June 2, 1953 coronation for this photo by Cecil Beaton. She is attired in her coronation dress and her purple velvet robe. On her head is the Imperial Crown, worn on state occasions. In her left hand she holds the Orb, emblem of sovereign power and in her right the scepter with cross, ensign of kingly power and justice. On her wrists she wears the armills, or bracelets, of sinceity.Cecil Beaton/The Associated Press
On the day of Queen Elizabeth II's coronation, the men of the Queen's Own Rifles march on University Avenue in Toronto, trailing arms, in the huge Coronation parade following services on the University of Toronto campus.The Globe and Mail
A huge Union Jack flag hanging from one of the upper windows of [Old] City Hall underlines the loyalty theme of Toronto's noon-hour Coronation service on June 2, 1953.The Globe and Mail