Queen Elizabeth II ventured out in the cold to attend church Sunday on the eve of her Diamond Jubilee, just as Canada gears up for a major week-long celebration marking her 60 years on the throne.
After all, it was Canada that was first in the world to recognize her as monarch following the death of her father, King George VI, on Feb. 6, 1952.
"Normally she spends these days a little quieter, out of the public eye because of course for her it is a sad moment thinking back on the death of her own father," Royal watcher Richard Berthelsen told CTV News Channel, noting the Queen was on a Commonwealth tour when her father died.
Her endurance, perseverance and unique way of staying with the times endeared her to Canadians throughout her reign, the Monarchist League of Canada‘s Eugene Berezovsky told CTV News Channel.
"She's so remarked for her warmth and compassionate character in meeting people and that's what people remember most about her," Berezovsky said in an interview Sunday.
It's a "unique balancing act" to keep the monarchy relevant, Berezovsky said, suggesting the Queen's success gives people cause to reflect on how the monarchy binds our history and nation together throughout the ages.
"I think we're very much in what is the glorious sunset of what has been an extremely long and successful reign," Berthelsen said. "The Queen, I think, is signalling by her more restrained calendar this year, not travelling outside the UK…there's going to be a moving back, a dialling back somewhat of the schedule."
Prince William and his new wife, the Duchess of Cambridge, are ushering in a new Royal era, he said.
The Canadian celebration kicks off Monday, when Parliament hoists the Queen's official Diamond Jubilee flag featuring a crescent of maple leaves enveloping a diamond and topped by a crown.
Other festivities include an ice-carving of the jubilee emblem at Ottawa's Winterlude, the release of a commemorative Canada Post stamp and a ceremony dedicating new stained-glass at the Parliament buildings.
Also on Monday, the governor general will launch the Jubilee Medals in a ceremony at Rideau Hall. The first batch will be given to 60 "outstanding citizens" -- one medal for each year of the Queen's reign.
Gov. Gen. David Johnston said he plans to award more to Canadians from every province and territory throughout the year.
"The Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal is a tangible way for Canada to honour Her Majesty for her service to this country," states the Governor General's website. "At the same time, it serves to honour significant contributions and achievements by Canadians."
There's a renewed interest in the monarchy in Canada, especially in the afterglow of the visit of newlyweds the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge last summer.
Worldwide celebrations of the jubilee will last about four months, culminating in a lavish ceremony in London on the anniversary of her coronation on June 2, 1953.
Members of the royal family, with the exception of the Queen, will travel throughout the Commonwealth in celebration of the jubilee. Canadians will have their chance to give the royals their due when Prince Charles and his wife Camilla visit Canada in May.
Their trip is expected to be a low-key affair, rather than the whirlwind tour of Prince William and Kate that drew thousands of well-wishers to their events.
Ottawa has pledged $7.5 million to help fund four months worth of commemorative activities, including the total of 60,000 jubilee medals that will ultimately be given to Canadians for outstanding community service.
In a statement posted on the government's dedicated Jubilee website, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said the occasion gives Canadians "good reason for celebration," reiterating some of the monarch's past statements on her affection for Canada.
"For only the second time in our history, we will honour the 60-year reign of a Sovereign," he said. "The Queen has dedicated her entire life to the service of others and has always held this country and all Canadians in the deepest of pride and affection."
The Queen, who is 85, is the symbolic head of Britain, Canada and other Commonwealth countries. She is the longest-serving monarch after Queen Victoria.
Grandiose ceremonies planned for the Queen's home country aren't taking place until later this year.
From June 2-5, London will host a carriage parade, a boat pageant and a Jubilee concert at Buckingham Palace featuring musicians from across the Commonwealth. A lottery will be held to hand out tickets to lucky United Kingdom citizens.
