The Prime Minister and the Governor General unveil the Diamond Jubilee Medal and Insignia of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

The design of the medal, created by the Canadian Heraldic Authority, was also unveiled by the Governor General and the Prime Minister, at Rideau Hall. February 3, 2011. MCpl Dany Veillette, Rideau Hall. Ref# GG2011-0027-005.

Mr. David M. Cvet, FRHSC (Hon), President of the Royal Heraldry Society of Canada was invited to join His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, accompanied by the Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada for a special announcement and unveiling of the special emblem and commemorative medal to mark the 60th anniversary of Her Majesty's accession to the throne in 1952, which will be celebrated next year in 2012 in Canada at Rideau Hall, Thursday afternoon, February 3, 2011. The medal will serve to honour significant contributions and achievements by Canadians.

The Chancellery of Honours, as part of the Office of the Secretary to the Governor General, will administer the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee program. The inaugural presentation ceremony of the Diamond Jubilee Medal will take place in 2012. Further details of the program will be announced in due course. At this time, the number of medals to be struck is still being determined.

Mr. David M. Cvet, FRHSC (Hon) depicted next to the unveiled depiction of the Diamond Jubilee Medal (taken with an iPhone!) at Rideau Hall at the conclusion of the announcement and unveiling.

The central component of the Official Canadian Diamond Jubilee Medal is the Royal Cypher - The Queen's monogram (EIIR - Elizabeth II Regina) below St. Edward's Crown. Beneath the Royal Cipher, a red maple leaf is positioned on one stem and placed on a diamond. The numeral "60" is to denote the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty's reign as Queen of Canada. Rising up on either side in a wreath formation are a series of maple leaves in graduated tones - from crimson red to a brilliant gold to forest green - representing our provinces and territories, as well as the seasonal beauty of Canada. Personally approved by Her Majesty, this design - which will function as the visual identifier for the celebration of Her Majesty's Jubilee year - was inspired by the 2002 Golden Jubilee emblem. It is a symbolic statement of the enduring relationship between Canada and The Crown, as personified by Her Majesty The Queen, Canada's Head of State.

The medal's obverse depicts a crowned image of the Sovereign, in whose name the medal is bestowed. The reverse marks the sixtieth, or diamond, anniversary of the accession to the Throne of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The anniversary is expressed by the central diamond shape, by the background composed of a pattern of diamonds, and by the two dates. The Royal Cypher consists of the Royal Crown above the letters EIIR (i.e., Elizabeth II Regina, the latter word meaning Queen in Latin). The maple leaves refer to Canada, while the motto VIVAT REGINA means “Long live The Queen!” More details can be found on the Governor General's website under "Creation of the Diamond Jubilee Medal".

The ribbon uses a new arrangement of the blue, red and white colours found in the 1953 Coronation Medal, the 1977 Silver Jubilee Medal, and the 2002 Golden Jubilee Medal.

The design of the Diamond Jubilee Medal was created by the Canadian Heraldic Authority, as part of the Chancellery of Honours.