The symbols and ceremonies associated with the Canadian Sovereign are unique to Canada.
When in Canada The Queen uses her personal Canadian flag. It consists of the Royal Arms of Canada in banner form, defaced with one variant of The Queen's Royal Cypher - a blue disc with a crowned initial E, within a gold chaplet of roses.
Perhaps the most familiar Royal emblem is the portrait of The Queen featured on the obverse of all Canadian coins.
The Queen's birthday is marked by a public holiday each year in Canada on Victoria Day, a Monday in late May.
This holiday dates back to the reign of Queen Victoria (1837-1901), whose birthday, 24 May, was declared a Canadian holiday in 1845.
After the death of Queen Victoria in 1901, an Act was passed by the Parliament of Canada establishing a legal holiday on 24 May in each year (or May 25 if May 24 fell on a Sunday) under the name Victoria Day.
The birthday of King Edward VII, born on November 9, was celebrated on Victoria Day during his reign (1901-1910), while the birthday of King George V, who reigned from 1910 to 1935, was usually celebrated on the actual date, 3 June.
The first birthday of Queen Elizabeth II, in 1952, was also celebrated in June, but Canadians continued to observe Victoria Day on the Monday preceding 25 May.
From 1953 to 1956, The Queen's birthday has been celebrated in Canada on Victoria Day, by proclamation of the Governor-General, with Her Majesty's approval.
In 1957, Victoria Day was permanently appointed as The Queen's birthday in Canada.
