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Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal

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Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal
Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medals, Canada on left and United Kingdom right
TypeMedal
EligibilityA Commonwealth citizen who was alive on 6 February 2012
Ribbon of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal
Precedence
Next (higher)Dependent on state
Next (lower)Dependent on state

The Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (Template:Lang-fr) is a commemorative medal created in 2011 to mark the 60th anniversary of the accession to the throne of Queen Elizabeth II. There are two versions of the medal: one issued by Canada and the other by the United Kingdom. Both versions of the medal are worn suspended from a broad red ribbon with blue outer stripes and, at the centre, double white stripes with a red stripe between.[1]

Design

In the United Kingdom, the medal, more properly known as The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal,[2] was designed by Timothy Noad, a calligrapher and illuminator. It depicts on the obverse the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of the Queen crowned with a tiara and is circumscribed by the inscription ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA FID DEF (Latin: Elizabeth II by the Grace of God, Queen, Defender of the Faith"). The reverse shows a faceted hexagon with a crowned royal cipher, inscribed with the years 1952 and 2012.[3]

Named by Order in Council Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee Medal,[4] the Canadian medal was designed by Cathy Bursey-Sabourin, Fraser Herald of the Canadian Heraldic Authority and manufactured by the Royal Canadian Mint.[5] It takes the form of a disc with, on the obverse, a crowned effigy of the Queen circumscribed by the words ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA • CANADA (Latin: Elizabeth II, by the Grace of God, Queen • Canada").[1] The reverse features Elizabeth's royal cypher crowned and superimposed upon a diamond shield, behind which is a bed of four maple leaves and a ribbon with the dates 1952 and 2012 to the left and right of the shield and VIVAT REGINA ("long live the Queen") below, all on a field of diamonds.

Both versions of the medal are worn suspended from a broad red ribbon with blue outer stripes and, at the centre, double white stripes with a red stripe between.[1]

Eligibility and allocation

The Canadian medal, which is to "honour significant contributions and achievements by Canadians,"[1] is administered by the Chancellery of Honours at Rideau Hall and will be awarded to 60,000 citizens and permanent residents of Canada who made a significant contribution to their fellow countrymen, their community, or to Canada over the previous sixty years.[6] The medal can be awarded posthumously if the recipient was alive on 6 February 2012.[6]

The 60,000 Canadian medals were allocated either automatically to individuals within certain prescribed categories—such as those in the Canadian order of precedence, the Order of Canada, or recipients of the Cross of Valour—or by selection by specific officials—such as the Governor General, senators, the Chief of the Defence Staff, or presidents of various non-governmental organizations.[n 1] The Governor General was also permitted to make "exceptional awards" of the medal.[4]

In the United Kingdom and its overseas territories,[7] 450,000 medals were awarded to all members of HM Armed Forces (regular and reserves), operational members of HM Prison Service, and emergency services personnel (including Police Community Support Officers) who have been in paid service, retained or in a voluntary capacity, and who had completed five full calendar years of service on 6 February 2012. Living holders of the Victoria Cross and George Cross and members of the Royal Household were also eligible.[8]

On 30 May 2012, Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, presented jubilee medals to 28 members of the Victoria Cross and George Cross Association, including individuals from the United Kingdom, Australia, Nepal, and Indonesia, as well as representatives from Malta and the Royal Ulster Constabulary, which had each been collectively awarded the George Cross in 1942 and 1999, respectively.[9]

Precedence in each realm

Some orders of precedence are as follows:

Country Preceding Following
Canada Canada
Order of precedence[10]		 Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal Royal Canadian Mounted Police Long Service Medal
United Kingdom United Kingdom
Order of precedence[11]		 Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal King George V's Long and Faithful Service Medal

History

In keeping with previous jubilees, plans for a commemorative medal were first announced by the Lord President of the Council, Lord Mandelson, in early 2010.[12] The design and eligibility criteria were subsequently announced by the Secretary of State for Culture, Jeremy Hunt, in the summer of 2011,[13] stating:

"It is right that we reward those people who, like The Queen, also dedicate their lives to public good and who represent the very best of the British spirit. I hope the official medal will serve as a mark of thanks to all those who give so much in the name of society and public service and I extend my congratulations to all the recipients."[14]

It was reported in April 2012 that some recipients of the medal had been criticised for offering their awards – costing the Department for Culture, Media and Sport £8m – for sale on eBay,[15] while ex servicemen and women, the Merchant Navy, and St. John Ambulance were angered at being overlooked due to the "economic climate."[16] Recognising that "some people and organisations might be disappointed," a government spokesman said: "It is also important to maintain the integrity and exclusivity of the medal, and it is simply not possible to include all these groups."[17] The contract to produce the medal and ribbons was awarded to a consortium of small businesses holding royal warrants, led by Worcestershire Medal Service.[18]

The Governor General of Canada, David Johnston, announced on 3 February 2011 that the Queen had approved the creation of the Canadian Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal and he and Prime Minister Stephen Harper unveiled the medal's design at Rideau Hall.[19][20] The first medal was struck by the Governor General on 6 December of the same year.[21][22]

On Accession Day 2012, the first Canadian medals were presented to 60 recipients by the Governor General at a ceremony at Rideau Hall and to others at other locations across the country;[23][24] the Lieutenant Governor of Prince Edward Island, Frank Lewis, awarded the medal to six persons at a ceremony at Government House.[25] It was at the same time announced that each member of the federal parliament (MP) and senator would receive a jubilee medal. At least six Quebec MPs (four belonging to the Bloc Québécois party and two to the New Democratic Party) declined the honour.[26] Bloc MP Maria Mourani did so because she felt the medal was a "symbol of colonisation" and accepting it was offensive to her belief in Quebec sovereignty,[27] while NDP MP Pierre Nantel stated his then four months in the House of Commons did not warrant such recognition and it should go to a more deserving constituent in his riding.[28]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Allocation of the 60,000 Canadian medals will be as follows:

References

  1. ^ a b c d Office of the Governor General of Canada. "Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal" (PDF). Queen's Printer for Canada. Retrieved 3 February 2011.
  2. ^ "This commemorative medal is designated and styled ‘The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal’." Defence Instructions and Notices, Ref. 2011DIN09-012, Ministry of Defence, November 2011.
  3. ^ Ministry of Defence (28 June 2011). "Members of the Armed Forces to receive new medal". Defence News. Queen's Printer. Retrieved 15 July 2011.
  4. ^ a b c Government of Canada (4 February 2012), "Letters patent creating the Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee Medal", Canada Gazette, 146 (5), Queen's Printer for Canada, retrieved 14 June 2012
  5. ^ Office of the Governor General of Canada. "Fact Sheet: Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal" (PDF). Queen's Printer for Canada. Retrieved 14 June 2012.
  6. ^ a b Office of the Governor General of Canada (22 May 2011). "Diamond Jubilee Medal Eligibility Criteria". Queen's Printer for Canada. Retrieved 24 May 2011.
  7. ^ Government of St. Helena (29 May 2012). "Fifty four Diamond Jubilee Medals to be awarded on St Helena". Queen's Printer. Retrieved 14 June 2012.
  8. ^ Home Office (15 September 2011). "The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal 2012". Queen's Printer. Retrieved 7 June 2012.
  9. ^ Hardman, Robert (31 May 2012). "Charles and Camilla meet 28 living VCs and GCs ahead of Diamond Jubilee". Daily Mail. Associated Newspapers Ltd. Retrieved 7 June 2012.
  10. ^ "Canadian Honours Chart". http://www.cmp-cpm.forces.gc.ca. The Department of National Defence and the Canadian Forces. Retrieved 7 June 2012. {{cite web}}: External link in |work= (help)
  11. ^ Directgov, Orders of Wear, Queen's Printer {{citation}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  12. ^ Queen's Diamond Jubilee Statement Lords Hansard, col. 11, 5 January 2010
  13. ^ Department of Culture, Media and Sport (28 June 2011). "Queen's Diamond Jubilee medal announced". Queen's Printer. Retrieved 7 June 2012.
  14. ^ Directgov (28 June 2011). "Official medal to mark Diamond Jubilee". Queen's Printer. Retrieved 7 June 2012.
  15. ^ Wardrop, Murray (27 April 2012), "Recipients of Queen's Diamond Jubilee medals criticised for selling awards on eBay", The Daily Telegraph, retrieved 16 June 2012
  16. ^ "Jubilee medal snub is a slap in the face, says Lincolnshire veteran", Sleaford Target, 4 April 2012, retrieved 16 June 2012
  17. ^ Birchley, Emma (21 January 2012). "Veterans Angered Over Jubilee Medal Snub". Sky News. Retrieved 16 June 2012.
  18. ^ Department of Culture, Media and Sport. "Diamond Jubilee Medal to be produced in the West Midlands". Queen's Printer. Retrieved 7 June 2012. {{cite web}}: Text "1 December 2011" ignored (help)
  19. ^ Office of the Governor General of Canada (3 February 2011). "Commemorative Medal Created for the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II". Queen's Printer for Canada. {{cite web}}: Text "accessdate-18 June 2012" ignored (help)
  20. ^ "Canada kicks off festivities for Queen's jubilee". CTV. 6 February 2012. Retrieved 6 February 2012.
  21. ^ Government of Canada Unveils Plans for Her Majesty's Diamond Jubilee Celebrations, Canada Newswire, 6 December 2011, retrieved 8 December 2011
  22. ^ Office of the Governor General of Canada (5 December 2011). "Governor General to Strike Diamond Jubilee Medal at the Royal Canadian Mint". Queen's Printer for Canada. Retrieved 18 June 2012.
  23. ^ Office of the Governor General of Canada (6 February 2012). "Sixty Canadians are Honoured During the Inaugural Presentation Ceremony of the Diamond Jubilee Medal at Rideau Hall". Queen's Printer for Canada. Retrieved 6 February 2012.
  24. ^ McQuigge, Michelle (7 February 2012), "Canada kicks off four months of celebrations for Queen's Diamond Jubilee", Winnipeg Free Press, retrieved 9 February 2012
  25. ^ Office of the Lieutenant Governor of Prince Edward Island (3 February 2012). "Diamond Jubilee Celebrations Begin". Queen's Printer for Prince Edward Island. Retrieved 29 February 2012.
  26. ^ Rakobowchuk, Peter (6 February 2012), "Jubilee hoopla a royal pain for some anti-monarchists who question cost", Winnipeg Free Press, retrieved 6 February 2012
  27. ^ Bourgault-Côté, Guillaume (8 February 2012), "Jubilé de la reine - Pas de médailles pour Ahuntsic", Le Devoir, retrieved 9 February 2012
  28. ^ "MP who refused jubilee medal says he's not worthy". CTV. 7 February 2012. Retrieved 9 February 2012.
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