It was another historic landmark for The Queen on the 6th February 2017, as she made history by reaching her Sapphire Jubilee, and reigning for 65 years. (The first ever British Monarch to do so.)
To commemorate the Sapphire Jubilee, a stunning portrait of The Queen (taken by David Bailey) has been reissued, in which the Monarch wears a necklace made of 16 exquisite oblong sapphires surrounded by diamonds, with matching drop earrings, which were given to her by her father, King George VI, as a wedding gift in 1947. The Queen loved the jewels so much, that in 1963, she commissioned a tiara and bracelet to match, which she has since worn to sparkling diplomatic receptions.
In the photograph, The Queen also wears a delicately bejewelled, blue silk dress, which, along with the jewels, work in synergy with her blue eyes, rendering the overall image totally mesmerising.
It is tradition for the Queen to spend ‘Accession Day’ – which is the official term for the anniversary of the day in which The Queen became Monarch – in private at her Sandringham Estate in “Quiet Reflection” of her father’s death, and this is exactly what she did.
On Sunday, The Queen was given flowers after attending a Church service at St Peter and St Paul in West Newton,
where the Monarch, who was accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, wore an aquamarine blue and black dress and coat.
Today, Royal Gun Salutes took place in Green Park London, at 12.00 p.m. by the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery,
and the Band of the Royal Artillery played a selection of celebratory music close to the firing position as 89 horses pulled six First World War-era 13-pounder field guns into position in the park.
A 62-gun salute was also fired at the Tower of London at 13.00 p.m., a 21-gun salute was fired by the 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery at Edinburgh Castle, another spectacular 21-gun salute was fired in York, in Museum Gardens, and a 21-gun salute was fired in the grounds of Cardiff Castle (below).
The Royal Mint is also marking the 65th Anniversary with a range of specially designed Sapphire Jubilee commemorative coins,
as the Royal Mail issues a Sapphire Blue £5 stamp.
Prime Minister Theresa May said “I know the Nation will join with me in celebrating and giving thanks for the lifetime of service Her Majesty the Queen has given to our Country and to the Commonwealth. Today’s Sapphire Jubilee marks yet another remarkable milestone for our remarkable queen.”
And the Prime Minster went on to offer her congratulations to The Queen saying that she was “truly an inspiration to all of us”.
