The Monarchy in Canada

I think it is safe to say that most Canadians were quite delighted by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's visit to Canada which wrapped up today.  Will and Kate seemed completely engaged, genuine and happy to be here.

It got me thinking about royal visits past.  I myself stood at a rope line or two as a little kid in the 80's to wave at some members of the House of Windsor!  There are so many amazing archival photos out there and I wanted share some of them here.  (Unfortunately I can't credit the photographers properly, since I don't know who they are.  Such is the nature of the internet, I suppose.  Suffice it to say they all did great work!)

Prince Edward, Prince of Wales (the future King Edward VIII) visited the Canadian National Exhibition in 1919 where a group of veterans lifted him off his horse and passed him over their heads "like a football". Can you imagine something like that happening today? Apparently he delighted his father, King Goerge when he returned home to England reciting a Prohibition jingle he had been taught:

Four and twenty Yankees, feeling very dry; went across the border to get a drink of rye; when the rye was opened, the Yankees began to sing; "God bless America, but God save the King!"

The Prince returned to Canada in 1927 with his brother the Duke of Kent.  Here they are at a park in the East end of Toronto, not far from where I sit typing this very blog post!

Here, the Prince returned to the C.N.E. to officially open the Princes' Gates.  Oh boy, do I love the C.N.E.

On the same visit, at what looks like Old City Hall on Queen Street to me.

By all accounts it was a BIG deal when King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (later the Queen Mother) came to Canada in 1939.  Ah, Maclean's Magazine.  The same as it ever was.

Nine year old Francis Miller (above) was supposed to present Queen Elizabeth with a dozen red roses in Medicine Hat in 1939.  The train never stopped and she missed her chance.  Today, she met the royal couple and presented the Duchess of Cambridge with a beautiful bouquet of red roses.

Then Princess Elizabeth and Prince Phillip at the Calgary Stampede in 1951.  Dig the stink eye from the gent on the left!  What's going on there?!

Will and Kate earlier today, at the Calgary Stampede.

Prince Phillip at the old Eaton's on College Street in Toronto (now College Park, I think) in 1969.  I wonder if he was saying something off colour?

Her Majesty looking splendid in yellow on Parliament Hill in 1977

Prince William's parents in Halifax in 1983.

The Queen in Canada last Summer...

I like these shots from Ottawa because they fully look like people who are on vacation and having a great time.

The most Canadian image from the last week, as far as I'm concerned.

The Monarchist League of Canada is a great resource for all things about our Royal Family, if you want to explore further.