Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Coronation portrait

Description: Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Coronation portrait, June 1953, London, England. Credit: Library and Archives Canada / K-0000047. Date: June 1953.

Author: Unknown photographer, National Film Board of Canada: Still Photography Division.

This Canadian work is in the public domain in Canada because its copyright has expired due to the following: it was subject to Crown copyright and was first published more than 50 years ago.

Terms of use, Credit: Library and Archives Canada / K-0000047. Restrictions on use: Nil. Copyright: Expired.

Additional information: Colour transparency available / Transparent couleur disponible. Source: Government. Other system control no.: DAPDCAP82719. MIKAN no.: 3242153.

The Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II the ascended monarch, was crowned Queen of the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Ceylon, Pakistan and Head of the Commonwealth.

Elizabeth ascended the thrones upon the death of her father, King George VI on February 6, 1952, and was proclaimed queen by her privy and executive councils shortly afterward. The coronation was held more than a year after the accession, on June 2, 1953. This followed the long-standing tradition that a festival such as a coronation was inappropriate during the period of mourning that followed the death of the preceding sovereign. In the ceremony, Elizabeth swore an oath to uphold the laws of her nations and to govern the Church of England.