Introduction

Abstract

With these words, telegraphed around the world on 22 June 1897, Queen Victoria thanked the peoples of her empire on the occasion of her Diamond Jubilee. The subjects she addressed constituted a quarter of the world’s population, nearly four hundred million people who occupied more than eleven million square miles, almost a quarter of the earth’s surface. At the end of a day of imperial pageantry the tired but grateful Queen-Empress wrote in her private journal:

A never-to-be-forgotten day. No one ever, I believe, has met with such an ovation as was given to me, passing through those six miles of streets. The crowds were quite indescribable and their enthusiasm truly marvellous and deeply touching [….] Every face seemed to be filled with joy. I was much moved and gratified.

From my heart, I thank my beloved people. May God bless them.