Royal tours of Canada in the 21st century carry on the tradition of the previous 300 years, [1] either as an official tour, a working tour, a vacation, or a period of military service by a member of the Royal Family. Originally, royal tours of Canada were events predominantly for Canadians to see and possibly meet members of their royal family, with the associated patriotic pomp and spectacle. However, nearing the end of the 20th century, such occasions took on the added dimension of a theme; for instance, the 2005 tour of Saskatchewan and Alberta by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, was deemed to be a vehicle for the Queen and all other Canadians to honour "The Spirit of Nation Builders". [2] Also, junior members of the Royal Family began to undertake unofficial "working" tours of Canada as well; in this method, royal figures are invited by provinces, municipalities, and other organizations to events which the latter fund without assistance from the federal government. Charles III; Anne, Princess Royal; Andrew, Duke of York; and Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, have all made several small tours in this fashion.
Year | Dates | Persons | Locations | Reasons |
---|---|---|---|---|
2000 | 4–6 June | The Earl of Wessex | ||
25–27 June | The Earl of Wessex | |||
14–18 July | The Earl and Countess of Wessex | To attend events for the Duke of Edinburgh's Award – Young Canadians' Challenge, attend performance of Emily Confederation Centre of the Arts, visit Rodd Brudenell River Resort, attend concert at St. Mary's Church, visit Cavendish Farms processing plant, visit Gateway Village, attend federal dinner at Delta Prince Edward Hotel, visit to All Souls' Chapel, attend luncheon at Government House, visit Confederation Birthplace Commemorative Park, attend official opening of the 39th annual Canadian Branch Conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, attend reception with delegates and families at Fanningbank. | ||
28 September–3 October | The Duke of York | To be invested as Colonel-in-Chief of the Queen's York Rangers, [3] attend events for Round Square, attend the state funeral of Pierre Trudeau. [4] | ||
23–26 November | The Duke and Duchess of Kent | To attend the dedication ceremony of the Waveney lifeboat White Rose of Yorkshire. | ||
2001 | 26–27 January | The Duke of York | To visit a former Chaplain at Lakefield College School. | |
4–8 April | The Duke of Kent | As President of the Royal National Lifeboat Association. | ||
25–30 April | The Prince of Wales (now Charles III) |
| In addition to the nation's capital, the Prince visited the only two regions of the country not previously visited — Saskatchewan and Yukon — to complete "his Canadian journey". [6] | |
2–5 August | The Earl and Countess of Wessex | To attend the 8th IAAF World Championships. | ||
19–21 October | The Duke of Edinburgh | To present Duke of Edinburgh's Awards, attend events for the World Wildlife Fund. | ||
19–21 October | The Duke and Duchess of Kent | |||
2002 | 13–24 March | Prince Michael of Kent | To undertake duties as Colonel-in-Chief of the Essex and Kent Scottish. | |
21–25 June | Prince and Princess Michael of Kent | To attend the Queen's Plate. | ||
5–8 September | The Earl and Countess of Wessex | To attend events for the Duke of Edinburgh's Award. | ||
20–24 September | The Earl and Countess of Wessex | Ontario : Toronto, Ottawa | To attend events for the Duke of Edinburgh's Award. | |
4–15 October | The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh | To celebrate the Queen's Golden Jubilee. | ||
2003 | 6–12 May | The Duke of York | To visit with the Queen's York Rangers, meet with trustees at Lakefield College School, turn the sod for the new mental health building of the British Columbia's Children's Hospital, visit the Regent Park Duke of York Public School, present Duke of Edinburgh's Awards, attend the Children Circle of Care Conference. | |
12–17 June | The Duke of York | To visit Lakefield College School, attend lunch with the Empire Club of Canada, visit the Greenwood School, visit Lester B. Pearson College. [7] | ||
18–25 June | The Earl and Countess of Wessex | Centenaries of Regina, Moose Jaw and Lloydminster, open cultural centre, open the Saskatchewan Indian Federated College facility at the University of Regina. | ||
31 July–6 August | Prince and Princess Michael of Kent | Centenary and re-opening of the Lake of the Woods Yacht Club, opening of the Leo Mol garden. | ||
29 August–1 September | The Princess Royal | To visit with the Canadian Forces Communications and Electronics Branch, perform charity work. | ||
2004 | 26–27 April | The Duke of Edinburgh | To attend the 40th Anniversary Gala for the Duke of Edinburgh's Award. | |
4–8 June | The Princess Royal | To attend ceremonies marking the 60th anniversary of D-Day, visit the Royal Regina Rifles, visit the Monarchist League of Canada, attend the Commonwealth Study Conference. | ||
13–18 October | Prince Michael of Kent | To open new joint Windsor Armoury and Police training facility. | ||
2005 | 17–25 May | The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh | Centenary of the entry of Saskatchewan and Alberta into Confederation. [8] | |
2006 | 11 May | The Duke of York | To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Canadian Canoe Museum. [9] | |
1–9 June | The Earl and Countess of Wessex | To visit the Monarchist League of Canada, attend events for the Ontario Heritage Trust. | ||
22 November | The Countess of Wessex | Visit Medical Discovery Tower at Toronto General Hospital and launch the Girls Programme at Verity Women's Club. [10] | ||
2007 | 30 April – 5 May | The Duke of York | ||
1–4 June | The Princess Royal | Centenary of the Royal Regina Rifles, open the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Heritage Centre, attend a demonstration by the Parkland Therapeutic Riding Association, celebrate the 125th anniversary of the settlement of the Yorkton, attend Regina's Freedom of the City Parade, meet with First Nations elders, and attend Saskatchewan Youth Awards gala. [14] | ||
26 June | Prince Harry | To train with Canadian Forces soldiers for a tour of duty in Afghanistan. [15] [16] | ||
2008 | 10–11 May | The Duke of York | To open a display at the Canadian Canoe Museum. | |
5–9 June | The Earl of Wessex | To participate in a number of events on behalf of various charitable organizations. | ||
2009 | 23–28 April | The Duke of York | To participate in a number of events relating to the Princess Louise Fusiliers. | |
4–8 June | The Earl and Countess of Wessex | To undertake duties relating to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Duke of Edinburgh's Award, South Alberta Light Horse, and open the Air Force Museum of Alberta. | ||
6 September-3 October | Prince Harry | Private working visit for the purpose of participating in a military exercise. [17] | ||
19 September | Princess Beatrice of York and Princess Eugenie of York | To accompany their mother, Sarah, Duchess of York, at the premiere of The Young Victoria at the Toronto International Film Festival. [18] | ||
2–12 November | The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall |
Year | Dates | Persons | Locations | Reasons |
---|---|---|---|---|
2010 | 19–22 March [20] | The Earl and Countess of Wessex | Attend events at the 2010 Winter Paralympics, meet with First Nations leaders and officers of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and distribute The Duke of Edinburgh's Awards. | |
23–25 April [21] | The Princess Royal | |||
18–22 April [22] | The Earl and Countess of Wessex | Attend paralympic games. | ||
25 April [23] | Princess Alexandra | Visit the Queen's Own Rifles of Canada | ||
28 June–6 July [24] [25] | The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh | Celebrate the centenary of the Canadian navy, attend the Queen's Plate, open a new terminal at the Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport, and lay the cornerstone of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, amongst other events. | ||
24 July [27] | The Earl of Wessex | |||
2011 | 30 June–8 July [28] | The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge | Canada Day celebrations in Ottawa, meeting Slave Lake wildfire firefighters, Calgary Stampede opening ceremonies; the first royal tour for the couple. | |
11–24 July | The Duke of York, Princess Beatrice, and Princess Eugenie of York | Private canoe trip and opening of North-Wright Airways float base and wilderness expedition support centre. [29] [30] | ||
25–27 July | The Earl of Wessex | Present the Duke of Edinburgh's Award as the trustee to recipients in Canada. [31] | ||
23–24 November | The Countess of Wessex | Charitable work, attend Aboriginal culture celebration. [32] [33] | ||
2012 | 20–23 May [34] | The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall (now Charles III and Queen Camilla) | Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II | |
11–18 September [35] | The Earl and Countess of Wessex | Meet with the Royal Victorian Order Association of Canada, attend Toronto International Film Festival, present colours to and lunch with the Lincoln and Welland Regiment, view trooping of the colour by the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry, visit Niagara College, Sainte-Marie among the Hurons, and Market Lane School, attend 2015 Pan American Games briefing, distribute The Duke of Edinburgh's Awards, [36] Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medals, and Royal Canadian Police Long Service Medals. [37] | ||
14–19 September | George and Sylvana Windsor, Earl and Countess of St Andrews | Attended a civic dinner and the launch of the Voices of Placentia Bay festival | ||
19–21 October [38] | Princess Alexandra | Centennial of the Canadian-Scottish Regiment. | ||
2013 | 27 April | The Duke of Edinburgh | Present new regimental colours to 3rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment. [39] | |
16–19 May [40] | The Duke of York | |||
23–26 October [41] | The Princess Royal | Attend a Duke of Edinburgh's Awards study conference, a reception at Queen's Park, visit CFB Kingston, visit the Royal Canadian Medical Service training centre at CFB Borden, and attend a 33 Signal Regiment dinner at the National Club. | ||
1–2 November | The Earl and Countess of Wessex | Attend 50th anniversary of the foundation of The Duke of Edinburgh's Award in Canada, [42] attend presentation of accessibility symbol redesign awards. [43] | ||
2014 | 18–21 May [44] | The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall | Centennial of the start of the First World War, the 150th anniversary of the Charlottetown and Quebec City Conferences. | |
5 June [45] | The Duke of York | Present new battle honours to the Queen's York Rangers. | ||
12–20 September [46] [47] | The Earl and Countess of Wessex |
| Duke of Edinburgh Awards events, walk a portion of the Trans-Canada Trail, open a new library on the Ditidaht First Nation, community events on 'Namgis First Nation, reception with regional forest fire first responders, barbeque and regimental dinner with the Saskatchewan Dragoons Regiment, lunch with the Saskatchewan Consular Corps, inspect cadets at the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Depot, reception for community leaders. [48] [49] | |
10–11 November [50] | The Princess Royal and Sir Timothy Laurence | Events marking 150th anniversary of Canadian Confederation. | ||
2015 | 19–20 February | The Princess Royal | Present Duke of Edinburgh Awards to students, [51] visit McGill University in relation to role as President of the Emerging Leaders' Dialogue, [52] visit Santropol Roulant, visit the Royal Canadian Hussars as Colonel-in-Chief. [53] | |
26 October–3 November | The Earl of Wessex | 100th anniversary of Toronto Scottish Regiment, the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award, tour IWK Health Centre; event for community leaders and volunteers at Government House, Halifax. [54] | ||
12–14 November | The Countess of Wessex | Tour First Nations services and cultural centre, tour Toronto General Hospital and Toronto Western Hospital, attend Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, meet with Lincoln and Welland Regiment, [55] | ||
2016 | 2 May [56] | Prince Harry | Invictus Games | |
28 June–1 July [57] | The Princess Royal | Mark Memorial Day and 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme, [57] visit Rainbow Riders therapeutic riding facility. [58] | ||
24 September–1 October | The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince George, and Princess Charlotte | |||
2017 | 29 June–1 July [59] | The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall | Canada's sesquicentennial celebration | |
22–30 September | Prince Harry | Invictus Games | ||
2018 | 28 June | The Princess Royal | Spoke at Rotary International's international convention [60] | |
5–8 November | ||||
2019 | 23–28 May | The Duke of York | Following a reception at the residence of Lieutenant Governor Arthur LeBlanc, the Duke took part in a military ceremony which involved the Princess Louise Fusiliers. He later met with entrepreneurs at the inaugural Canadian Pitch@Palace, an initiative founded by the Duke to support entrepreneurs. [61] [62] | |
14–15 November | The Countess of Wessex | Attend events for the 100 Women in Finance Next Generation Initiative, The Duke of Edinburgh's Award, Awareness Foundation, and Toronto General and Western Hospitals. [63] |
Year | Dates | Persons | Locations | Reasons |
---|---|---|---|---|
2022 | 17–19 May [64] | The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall | Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II | |
2023 | 24–27 April | The Duke of Edinburgh | To attend The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award, events organized by the Office of the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, Odd Squad Productions Society, Vancouver Club, and the York House School, as well as meetings and receptions with indigenous and youth representatives, as well as local council members from BC. [65] | |
13–14 May | Prince Michael | To present new regimental colours to the Essex and Kent Scottish. [66] | ||
18–21 May | The Princess Royal | To mark the 125th anniversary of the founding of the 8th Canadian Hussars (Princess Louise's). [67] | ||
3–4 June | To attend the opening plenary session for The Duke of Edinburgh's Commonwealth Study Conference. [68] | |||
3–8 November | The Duchess of Edinburgh | To attend the Duchess of Edinburgh military competition hosted by the Lincoln and Welland Regiment, a dinner in support of the Lincoln and Welland Regimental Foundation, a Remembrance Day service, and to visit three University Health Network sites. [69] | ||
2024 | 3–5 May | The Princess Royal | Attended a series of engagements with the Royal Canadian Navy as the Commodore-in-Chief of the Canadian Fleet Pacific. Also visited an urban farm, the Royal Victoria Yacht Club, and the Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association as its patron. [70] |
The monarchy of Canada is Canada's form of government embodied by the Canadian sovereign and head of state. It is one of the key components of Canadian sovereignty and sits at the core of Canada's constitutional federal structure and Westminster-style parliamentary democracy. The monarchy is the foundation of the executive (King-in-Council), legislative (King-in-Parliament), and judicial (King-on-the-Bench) branches of both federal and provincial jurisdictions. The current monarch is King Charles III, who has reigned since 8 September 2022.
Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh is a member of the British royal family. He is the youngest child of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and the youngest sibling of King Charles III. He was born 3rd in the line of succession to the British throne and is now 14th.
The royal standards of Canada are a set of personal flags used by members of the Canadian royal family to denote the presence of the bearer within any vehicle, building, or area within Canada or when representing Canada abroad. All are based on a banner of the coat of arms of Canada, which are the arms of the Canadian monarch.
The Golden Jubilee of Elizabeth II was the international celebration held in 2002 marking the 50th anniversary of the accession of Queen Elizabeth II on 6 February 1952. It was intended by the Queen to be both a commemoration of her 50 years as monarch and an opportunity for her to officially and personally thank her people for their loyalty.
The history of monarchy in Canada stretches from pre-colonial times through to the present day. The date monarchy was established in Canada varies; some sources say it was when the French colony of New France was founded in the name of King Francis I in 1534, while others state it was in 1497, when John Cabot made landfall in what is thought to be modern day Newfoundland or Nova Scotia, making a claim in the name of King Henry VII. Europeans in the 16th and 17th centuries often considered the territories belonging to different aboriginal groups to be kingdoms. Nevertheless, the present Canadian monarchy can trace itself back to the Anglo-Saxon period and ultimately to the kings of the Angles and the early Scottish kings; monarchs reigning over Canada have included those of France, those of the United Kingdom, and those of Canada. Canadian historian Father Jacques Monet said of Canada's Crown, "[it is] one of an approximate half-dozen that have survived through uninterrupted inheritance from beginnings that are older than our Canadian institution itself."
By the arrangements of the Canadian federation, the Canadian monarchy operates in Saskatchewan as the core of the province's Westminster-style parliamentary democracy. As such, the Crown within Saskatchewan's jurisdiction is referred to as the Crown in right of Saskatchewan, His Majesty in right of Saskatchewan, or His Majesty the King in right of Saskatchewan. The Constitution Act, 1867, however, leaves many royal duties in Saskatchewan specifically assigned to the sovereign's viceroy, the Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan, whose direct participation in governance is limited by the conventional stipulations of constitutional monarchy.
By the arrangements of the Canadian federation, the Canadian monarchy operates in Newfoundland and Labrador as the core of the province's Westminster-style parliamentary democracy. As such, the Crown within Newfoundland and Labrador's jurisdiction is referred to as the Crown in Right of Newfoundland and Labrador, His Majesty in Right of Newfoundland and Labrador, or the King in Right of Newfoundland and Labrador. The Constitution Act, 1867, however, leaves many royal duties in the province specifically assigned to the sovereign's viceroy, the lieutenant governor of Newfoundland and Labrador, whose direct participation in governance is limited by the conventional stipulations of constitutional monarchy.
By the arrangements of the Canadian federation, Canada's monarchy operates in Alberta as the core of the province's Westminster-style parliamentary democracy. As such, the Crown within Alberta's jurisdiction is referred to as the Crown in Right of Alberta, His Majesty in Right of Alberta, or The King in Right of Alberta. The Constitution Act, 1867, however, leaves many royal duties in Alberta specifically assigned to the sovereign's viceroy, the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta, whose direct participation in governance is limited by the conventional stipulations of constitutional monarchy.
By the arrangements of the Canadian federation, Canada's monarchy operates in Manitoba as the core of the province's Westminster-style parliamentary democracy. As such, the Crown within Manitoba's jurisdiction is referred to as the Crown in Right of Manitoba, His Majesty in Right of Manitoba, or the King in Right of Manitoba. The Constitution Act, 1867, however, leaves many royal duties in Manitoba specifically assigned to the sovereign's viceroy, the lieutenant governor of Manitoba, whose direct participation in governance is limited by the conventional stipulations of constitutional monarchy.
The relationship between the Canadian Crown and the Canadian Armed Forces is both constitutional and ceremonial, with the king of Canada being the commander-in-chief of the Canadian Forces and he and other members of the Canadian royal family holding honorary positions in various branches and regiments, embodying the historical relationship of the Crown with its armed forces. This construct stems from Canada's system of constitutional monarchy and through its 500 years of monarchical history, the relationship symbolically represented through royal symbols, such as crowns on military badges and insignia, coats of arms, royal portraits, and the grant of the royal prefix to various military units and institutions. The role of the Canadian sovereign within the Canadian Armed Forces is established within the Canadian constitution, the National Defence Act, and the King's Regulations and Orders (KR&Os) for the Canadian Forces.
The association between the monarchy of Canada and Indigenous peoples in Canada stretches back to the first interactions between North American Indigenous peoples and European colonialists and, over centuries of interface, treaties were established concerning the monarch and Indigenous nations. First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples in Canada have a unique relationship with the reigning monarch and, like the Māori and the Treaty of Waitangi in New Zealand, generally view the affiliation as being not between them and the ever-changing Cabinet, but instead with the continuous Crown of Canada, as embodied in the reigning sovereign.
In Canada, a number of sites and structures are named for royal individuals, whether a member of the past French royal family, British royal family, or present Canadian royal family thus reflecting the country's status as a constitutional monarchy under the Canadian Crown. Those who married into the royal family are indicated by an asterisk (*). Charles Edward Stuart was a pretender to the British throne.
Since 1786, members of the Canadian royal family have visited Canada, either as an official tour, a working tour, a vacation, or a period of military service. The first member to visit was the future King William IV in 1786. In 1939, King George VI became the first reigning monarch to tour the country.
The year 2012 marked the Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II being the 60th anniversary of the accession of Queen Elizabeth II on 6 February 1952. The only diamond jubilee celebration for any of Elizabeth's predecessors was in 1897, for Queen Victoria.
Royal visits to New Zealand by members of the Royal Family have been taking place since 1869. The first member of the Royal Family to visit New Zealand was Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh. Subsequently, there have been over 50 visits. The first reigning monarch of New Zealand to visit the country was Elizabeth II in 1953–54. In all, she visited New Zealand on 10 occasions, most recently in 2002.
Royal tours of Jamaica by Jamaica's royal family have been taking place since the 20th century. Elizabeth II, Queen of Jamaica, visited the island six times; in 1953, 1966, 1975, 1983, 1994, and 2002.
Royal tours of Antigua and Barbuda by its royal family have been taking place since the 20th century. Elizabeth II, Queen of Antigua and Barbuda, visited the country thrice: 1966, 1977, and 1985.