The British demonstrate patriotism through symbols: such as the lion, the crown and the rose for England, the unicorn and the thistle for Scotland, the dragon for Wales. The crown is visual shorthand for the state and often appears in commemorative posters and illustrations.
Petitions illustrated with crowns, flowers, castles and civic coats-of-arms were sent to Queen Victoria from across the British Empire to pay tribute on her Diamond Jubilee in 1897 (see more in our royal celebrations showcase). Unique photographs of Queen Victoria provide a different perspective of the formidable queen, including informal family portraits and even a picture of her smiling.
Patriotism in the decades before the First World War is shown in material held in the COPY 1 Stationers' Hall records. Almost every box has illustrations or photographs of the royal family or the imperial heroes of the day.
Queen Elizabeth II is the only other British monarch to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of her accession to the throne, in 2012. Her part in the Second World War, state visits, trooping the colour and much more are represented by our collections. Photographs, portraits and other artefacts record a lifetime devoted to leading the nation.
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Metallic crown image adapted from coronation poster, 1953
/images/imagelibrary/showcase/queens-and-crowns/uniq13-metallic-crown-image-adpated-from-coronation-poster-1953.jpgCatalogue reference: UNIQ 13
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Coram Rege Rolls initial detail Elizabeth I, 1584
/images/imagelibrary/showcase/queens-and-crowns/kb27-1289-2-coram-rege-rolls-initial-detail-elizabeth-I-1584.jpgCatalogue reference: KB 27/1289/2
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HRH Princess Elizabeth, 1944
/images/imagelibrary/showcase/queens-and-crowns/inf2-43-(1516)-hrh-princess-elizabeth-1944.jpgCatalogue reference: INF 2/43 (1516)
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HM Queen Elizabeth II inspects guard of honour at RAF Gatow Berlin, 27 May 1965
/images/imagelibrary/showcase/queens-and-crowns/air28-1584-hm-queen-elizabeth-II-inspects-guard-of-honour-at-raf-gatow-berlin-27-May-1965.jpgCatalogue reference: AIR 28/1584
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Common seal of HM Queen Elizabeth II, 1965
/images/imagelibrary/showcase/queens-and-crowns/ev8-1-common-seal-of-queen-elizabeth-II-reverse-1965.jpgCatalogue reference: EV 8/1
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Crown detail poster advert for salmon, 1906
/images/imagelibrary/showcase/queens-and-crowns/copy-1-241-(140)-crown-detail-poster-advert-for-salmon-1906.jpgCatalogue reference: COPY 1/241 (140)
-crown-detail-poster-advert-for-salmon-1906.jpg)
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Queen Victoria and grandchildren, 1887
/images/imagelibrary/showcase/queens-and-crowns/copy1-380B-(299)-queen-victoria-and-grandchildren-1887.jpgCatalogue reference: COPY 1/380B (299)
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Queen Victoria smiling, 1887
/images/imagelibrary/showcase/queens-and-crowns/copy1-381-f350-queen-victoria-smiling-1887.jpgCatalogue reference: COPY 1/381 f350
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HRH Princess Elizabeth in the Second World War Auxiliary Territorial Service
/images/imagelibrary/showcase/queens-and-crowns/inf2-44-(2834)-hrh-princess-elizabeth-ats-ww2.jpgCatalogue reference: INF 2/44 (2834)
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HRH Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip at the Festival of Britain, 1951
/images/imagelibrary/showcase/queens-and-crowns/work25-207-princess-elizabeth-and-prince-philip-at-the-festival-of-britain-1951.jpgCatalogue reference: WORK 25/207
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HRH Princess Elizabeth at trooping the colour, 1948-1950
/images/imagelibrary/showcase/queens-and-crowns/work21-292-princess-elizabeth-at-trooping-the-colour-1948-1950.jpgCatalogue reference: WORK 21/292
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Queen Victoria, 1882
/images/imagelibrary/showcase/queens-and-crowns/copy1-57-(388)-queen-victoria-1882.jpgCatalogue reference: COPY 1/57 (388)
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This is just a selection. Contact licensing@nationalarchives.gov.uk for more image solutions.
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