The District of Sooke marked the Queen becoming the longest-reigning monarch in British history Wednesday with a special ceremony at Municipal Hall.
Queen Elizabeth II passed Queen Victoria, her great-great-grandmother who was on the throne for 63 years and seven months. Born Elizabeth Alexandra Mary on April 21, 1926, Elizabeth II became head of the Commonwealth on Feb. 6, 1952.
The Sooke event was one of only a few ceremonies marking the milestone. Other events were held in Victoria, Oak Bay, Royal B.C. Museum and Government House.
“[Today] we honour a monarch who embodies the Canadian state and a woman of faith in principle of whom we all deeply admire,” Mayor Maja Tait told a full city council chamber of invited guests.
[The Queen] has been with us in Canada from sea to sea, in large cities and rural hamlets, meeting us, encouraging us, spreading happiness and a sense of common values in shared purpose for wherever she journeys.
“She has been and forever remains a central part of every significant occasion in our national life.”
Among the dignitaries at the Sooke ceremony were MP Randall Garrison, T’Sou-ke First Nation cultural advisors Linda Bristol and Shirley Alphonse, Coun. Brenda Parkinson, Janice McTavish and Jacqueline Davenport.