Title/Description: Governor General's Foot Guards rehearsal for the Coronation of H.M. Queen Elizabeth II. Foot Guards practicing manoeuvres.
Photographer: Unknown.
Date: May 24,1953.
Credit: Andrews-Newton Photographers Fonds / City of Ottawa Archives / MG393-AN-SC-027131-007
Copyright: City of Ottawa Archives.
King George VI was diagnosed with lung cancer in September 1951. He had been recovering from a surgery that saw one of his lungs removed when he suffered a fatal heart attack on February 6, 1952. A young Princess Elizabeth, who was on a Royal Visit to Kenya at the time, was among the last to learn of her father’s death.
During a time of unbelievable sorrow, the young princess was faced with taking on the most important role of her life. On June 2, 1953, the world watched as Princess Elizabeth took the throne as Queen Elizabeth II.
An estimated 100,000 people attended a celebration on Parliament Hill. The Governor General’s Foot Guards trooped the Queen’s colour, with Governor General Vincent Massey watching from a stand in front of the Peace Tower. 145 planes flew over the Peace Tower and spelled out “E II” in giant letters. Celebratory silver spoons were sent to all the Canadian children who were born that day.
Title/Description: Governor General's Foot Guards rehearsal for the Coronation of H.M. Queen Elizabeth II. Child standing in front of guards with camera.
Photographer: Unknown
Date: May 24, 1953.
Credit: Andrews-Newton Photographers Fonds / City of Ottawa Archives / MG393-AN-SC-027131-001.
Copyright: City of Ottawa Archives.