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A crowd of Edmontonians, some wearing their best pearls and fascinators, gathered on the Government House grounds Saturday to mark 70 years on the throne for Queen Elizabeth II.
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The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, an unheard-of milestone for a British monarch, officially passed on Feb. 6 — the day, seven decades ago, that Queen Elizabeth officially succeeded her father when he died.
She was just 25 at the time, and now 96, she’s the longest-serving female head of state.
In the United Kingdom, four days of Platinum Jubilee celebrations started Thursday with a parade, and on Saturday, Buckingham Palace hosted tens of thousands in London for a concert.
In Edmonton, Lt.-Gov. Salma Lakhani marked the occasion in front of more than 100 people on the steps of the historic official residence for the monarch’s representative in Alberta.
“I feel very privileged to serve in this capacity during such a significant milestone year in the reign of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II,” Lakhani said.
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She called Queen Elizabeth “an enduring part of the fabric of our society” for the past seven decades, quoting a radio broadcast the Queen made before she ascended the throne in 1947.
At the time, the young Elizabeth promised that “my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service.”
Lakhani said that long history of service to Canada and the Commonwealth is worth celebrating.
“Her Majesty has held fast to that vow through the decades,” she said.
“Our world has transformed in countless, extraordinary and unforeseeable ways in the 70 years since her reign began.”
Singers and dancers from Maskwacis performed at Saturday’s event, showcasing some of the Indigenous culture that’s alive among Treaty 6 First Nations.
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Lakhani pointed to treaty relationships as an essential part of the Crown in Canada.
“I am truly proud to honor them in my role as the Queen’s representative.”
Saturday’s event also featured a performance by the Royal Canadian Artillery Band, and a tent was on site where people could write notes to members of the Canadian Forces currently serving overseas.
Queen Elizabeth has visited Canada more than 20 times during her reign. She last came to Edmonton in 2005 for Alberta’s centennial, where she addressed the legislature in a speech from the throne. To mark the occasion, former premier Ralph Klein also declared the stretch of Highway 2 between Edmonton and Calgary would be renamed the Queen Elizabeth II Highway.
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Previously, the Queen also came to the city in 1978 to open the Commonwealth Games.
Lakhani said Saturday that since her appointment as Alberta’s lieutenant governor, she has yet to meet the Queen herself.
“When you take on this position, you are required to go have an audience with Her Majesty, but because of COVID, that has not been possible,” she said.
“I have been diligently practicing my curtsies, because that’s what you do, and my husband has been practicing his bows. We’re really hopeful that in the near future, we will be able to go and have an audience with Her Majesty the Queen.”
