Queen Victoria’s Legacy

Queen Victoria reigned for 23 226 days, 16 hours and 23 minutes, totalling 63 years and 7 months. Victoria surpassed her grandfather King George III's record-holding reign on September 23, 1896. Victoria sought no grand display or celebrations to mark the occasion. Instead, she preferred any festivities wait until the following year, 1897, which would be during her Diamond Jubilee—her 60th year on the Throne.

Canadian Prime Minister Sir Wilfred Laurier attended the Diamond Jubilee celebrations in London with the other prime ministers of the Commonwealth's self-governing dominions. Participating in the official parade were regiments from all around the Commonwealth, including the Toronto Grenadiers and the Royal Canadian Highlanders. The Canadian section’s rear guard featured a contingent of the North-West Mounted Police (later named the Royal Canadian Mounted Police); this was the first time the NWMP had made an overseas appearance. Across the nation, Canadians marked the milestone at home as well.

Did you know?

• Queen Victoria played an important role in bringing Canada toward Confederation in 1867. Believing that the creation of a dominion would improve British North America's relations with the United States, Victoria supported the efforts of figures like Sir John A. Macdonald. On the occasion of the British North America Act's (later named the Constitution Act, 1867) approval in the British Parliament (Westminster), Victoria told Macdonald, "I am very glad to see you on this mission…" Many referred to Victoria as the "Mother of Confederation"; this perception is represented in the poster above, produced by the Toronto Lithographing Company, that depicts a young Canada commemorating Victoria's Diamond Jubilee in 1897. Note the crown of maple leaves atop Canada's head.
• Many Canadians across the country continue to celebrate Queen Victoria today. Victoria Day, a federal public holiday observed each year on the last Monday before May 25, was established in 1845, in honour of Queen Victoria's birthday (May 24). Following Victoria’s death in 1901, legislation was passed to officially name May 24 "Victoria Day". Since 1957, this occasion has also been used to celebrate the official birthday of the current Canadian monarch (even though Queen Elizabeth II's actual birthday is April 21). The holiday continues to be a uniquely Canadian celebration.
• In 1857, Queen Victoria decided that Ottawa, formerly the gritty lumber community of Bytown, would serve as the capital of the Province of Canada. With Confederation in 1867, Victoria designated Ottawa as the Dominion's national capital. A Canadian myth claims that Victoria made her 1857 decision after being shown beautiful watercolours and sketches of the small city drawn by Lady Head, the wife of then-Governor General Sir Edmund Head.
• No matter where you are in Canada today, there is a good chance that the memory of Queen Victoria lives on around you. Towns, cities, parks, lakes, buildings, and many other public places across the country bear ‘Victoria’ (and other variations of her titles) as their namesake.