On behalf of all Nova Scotians, His Honour The Honourable Arthur J. LeBlanc, Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, has extended congratulations and best wishes to Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh on the occasion of their 70th Wedding Anniversary on 20 November 2017.

In his letter to The Queen and His Royal Highness, His Honour spoke of the tremendous example of duty, service and commitment that the Royal Couple have shown to Canada and the Commonwealth. 

Before ascending the throne, Princess Elizabeth visited Halifax for the first time in 1951, along with The Duke of Edinburgh.  On 6 February 1952, upon the death of her father, King George VI, she became Queen Elizabeth II.  She returned to Halifax as Queen in 1959, 1976, 1994 and 2010.  The Duke of Edinburgh has accompanied Her Majesty on all of her official visits to the province. He has also made numerous private visits including an unscheduled stop in 1958 to Springhill, so he could meet with the injured miners and their families after the mine disaster there.