The Queen’s Visits to Canada

Queen Elizabeth at 90

The Queen in Canada opening the St. Lawrence Seaway 1959. Photo: NFB/Getty Images

In 1953, the Queen made a quick stop in Newfoundland to refuel. After being woken from her sleep at 3:20 a.m. by a crowd singing “For She’s a Jolly Good Fellow.” Here, more highlights of Queen Elizabeth’s visits to Canada over the decades.

 

1951 Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh make a month-long trek across Canada, visiting cities and towns in every province along the way.

1953 The Queen made a quick stop in Newfoundland to refuel. After being woken from her sleep at 3:20 a.m. by a crowd singing “For She’s a Jolly Good Fellow,” she decided to address the gathering crowd.

1957 The Queen, accompanied by Prince Philip, opens the first session of the 23rd Parliament.

1959 The Queen and Prince Philip visit every province and territory over six weeks and open the St. Lawrence Seaway.

1964 The Queen celebrates the centennial of the Confederation conferences on an eight-day trip to Charlottetown, Quebec and Ottawa.

1967 The Queen and Prince Philip commemorate Canada’s centennial in Ottawa.

1970 The Queen, accompanied by Prince Charles and Princess Anne, visits Manitoba and the Northwest Territories for their centennial celebrations.

 

Her Majesty's Service
The Queen and Canadian Mounties, circa 1970. Photo: Alfred Eisenstaedt/Pix Inc./The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images

 

1971 The Queen, along with Prince Philip and Princess Anne, celebrate B.C. centennial with visits to Victoria, Vancouver, Tofino and Kelowna.

1973 The Queen and Prince Philip celebrate the 300th anniversary of Kingston, P.E.I.’s centennial and RCMP centennial events in Saskatchewan and Alberta, as well as attending the Commonwealth heads of government meeting in Ottawa.

1976 The Queen, accompanied by Prince Philip, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward, attends the Olympic Games in Montreal, where Princess Anne was a member of the British equestrian team. The Queen also visits Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.

1977 The Queen and Prince Philip visit Ottawa to celebrate her Silver Jubilee.

1978 The Queen, along with Prince Philip, Prince Edward and Prince Andrew, tour Newfoundland and Saskatchewan and attend the XI Commonwealth Games in Edmonton.

1982 The Queen is in Ottawa for the proclamation of the Constitution Act.

 

Queen For A Day
The Queen and Prince Philip enjoy a hearty laugh during a reception outside the Cornwall civic centre, October 1, 1982. Photo: Erin Combs/Toronto Star via Getty Images

 

1983 The Queen and Prince Philip make numerous stops in B.C. as she finishes off her North American West Coast tour.

1984 The Queen and Prince Philip visit New Brunswick and Ontario to mark bicentennial celebrations and travels solo to Manitoba.

1987 The Queen and Prince Philip participate in the Commonwealth heads of government meeting in B.C. and stop off in Saskatchewan and Quebec.

1990 The Queen travels solo to Red Deer (Alta.), Calgary and Ottawa for Canada Day.

1992 The Queen once again travels solo to Ottawa to mark the 125th anniversary of Confederation and her 40th anniversary on the throne.

1994 The Queen and Prince Philip visit Nova Scotia and attend the Commonwealth Games in Victoria. The Queen makes a private trip to Twin Island, B.C.

1997 The Queen and Prince Philip celebrate the 500th anniversary of John Cabot’s arrival in Newfoundland. The Queen then attends a private retreat in London, Ont., before viewing flood damage in Manitoba.

2002 The Queen begins her Golden Jubilee visit in Iqaluit, then heads to B.C. She visits the Canadian Broadcast Centre in Toronto to mark its 50th anniversary.

2005 The Queen and Prince Philip celebrate the centennials of Saskatchewan and Alberta.

2010 The Queen and Prince Philip visit Halifax to mark the 100th anniversary of the Canadian Navy, followed by a stop in Ottawa for Canada Day and a dedication of the Museum of Human Rights in Winnipeg.