A jubilee is a birthday celebration with Judeo-Christian origins that was adapted to mark the milestones of a British monarch.
The Bible book of Leviticus commands that people “shall sanctify the fiftieth year … because it is the year of the jubilee.”
14th century records show that King Edward III celebrated his 50th birthday on the throne, his Golden Jubilee, with a week-long fair and a procession from the Tower of London.
Many of today’s jubilee traditions date back to the reign of George III, the king known for losing his American colonies and his struggle with mental health. The beginning of his 50th year on the throne was marked by church services, festivals, fireworks and memorabilia.
When Queen Victoria reached her diamond jubilee (age 60) in 1897, there was a large procession in London and a Thanksgiving service in the church at St Paul’s Cathedral. According to Britain’s Royal Collection, Victoria wrote in her diary: “I think no one has ever received as much applause as they did me, going through these 6 miles of streets.” He added: “The applause was quite deafening and all the faces looked full of real joy. I was very excited and gratified.”
Queen Elizabeth II, the longest reigning monarch in Britain, is the first to celebrate a platinum jubilee, commemorating 70 years on the throne.