FREDERICTON (CNB) – A special flag standard was raised this morning in front of the legislative assembly to mark the 60th anniversary of the accession of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth to the throne on Feb. 6, 1952.

The Queen's Canadian Standard was raised by Lt.-Gov. Graydon Nicholas and Dale Graham, speaker of the legislative assembly. Warrant Officer 1st Class Christopher Davis, 333 Lord Beaverbrook, Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron, was the senior cadet who raised the flag with Nicholas and Graham.

"With great pride, we join with Canadians from coast to coast to coast to mark the day that Princess Elizabeth became our queen," Nicholas said. "Her Majesty has served the people of Canada with great dedication and affection these six decades, and that feeling is more than reciprocated by us, New Brunswickers and Canadians, who are proud to be her subjects."

The Queen's Standard was also raised on Parliament Hill in Ottawa and at legislatures across Canada to mark the anniversary and the start of celebrations for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee year. The standard will fly for today only, with the official Diamond Jubilee flag to be flown in public places throughout Canada during the jubilee year.

"The Crown plays such a vital role in our parliamentary democracy, and the Queen has for 60 years performed her role as Queen of Canada with great dignity, humility and dedication," Graham said. "Most of us have never known another head of state. On behalf of all parliamentarians, we wish her many more years of service and good health."

A Book of Celebration is in place at Government House, 51 Woodstock Rd., Fredericton, for New Brunswickers to leave their thoughts and wishes for the Queen and her Diamond Jubilee. The Book of Celebration will be available throughout the year during normal business hours.
        
The centrepiece of the celebration will be the visit of The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall to Canada in May. They will visit New Brunswick, Ontario and Saskatchewan as part of their tour of Canada.

The tour is intended to highlight service as the life-long royal duty of The Queen and the Royal Family and how serving others plays a critical role in Canadian society. More details, including the formal agenda for each segment of the royal tour, will be released in the coming weeks.

The celebration will also encompass the Diamond Jubilee Medal program; community celebrations; and public awareness and education.

LINKS:

●    Department of Intergovernmental Affairs (Diamond Jubilee page)
●    Office of the Lieutenant-Governor: www.gnb.ca/lg

06-02-12