Toronto members of Monarchists League Travel to Ottawa to see "Will and Kate"-July 2011

MONARCHIST OF CANADA MEMBER, TRAVELS TO SEE “WILL AND KATE” FOR

CANADA DAY CELEBRATIONS

W. Ian Walker, Royal Reporter

It is the eve of July 1^st, 2011 and I am trekking to Ottawa, ON Canada (our nation’s capital) with other 50 members of Toronto Monarchist League of Canada. Our members have come from all over Ontario wanting to be a part of  these July 1^st,  Canada Day celebrations, honouring the 1^st international tour, of their HRH Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, alias “William and Kate’s” royal tour!    We left Toronto at 12:15 a.m. and travelled by bus, for five hours t arriving in Ottawa at 5:45 a.m.  We took our places on Parliament Hill around 7:00 a.m. for the long wait until 2:00 p.m. when the show would be over.  All of us on this “monarchist tour” wanted to be a part of Canadian history, being “on the hill” with the Duke and Duchess in Ottawa, our 144^th, national birthday celebration.  How exciting for Canada and for us! 

Our Monarchist League of Canada members will be well represented throughout the cities on their national tour.  Being a new member to the League, I wanted to be a part of this “24 hour whirlwind bus trip.”  Interacting with some of the members on the trip, I discovered that many people have a passion for seeing the monarchy remain a vital part of our Canadian history.  I interacted with seniors, retired teachers, business people and university students who all wanted to be a part of this “magical day”. We all believe that our connection with the monarchy and with the Commonwealth needs to be a strong and ongoing link with our Queen of Canada. 

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will soon experience our traditional noon-time grand showcase featuring the performances of “Great Big Sea”, newly minted young vocalist Maria Argaon, who sang “Oh Canada” (Lady Gaga fan and upcoming artist) combined with outstanding array of English and French artists who demonstrated the bilingual unity which is a part of our national mosaic.  This show has become a staple on Parliament Hill, and in the evening the Royal couple will experience a specular array of fireworks which will light up the Ottawa skies.

I’ve been a “royal watcher” for at least 40 years, well represented by my British and Scottish roots on both sides of the family who immigrated to Canada around 1910. The photo that I’ve included in this report is from my grandparent’s interaction with the Royal Tour of 1939 in Hamilton, ON.  King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (The Queen Mother) started their “first” Royal Tour to Canada, via our national railway. The Queen Mother publicly stated on many occasions that the 1939 tour “really made us.”  The Royal “train visit” stopped in Hamilton. My grandmother was in the crowd and purchased this flag which she later gave to me in the 1970’s.

Many in the Royal Family have visited our nation several times. Most Canadians have a deep respect and passion for the Queen and her family. Seventy-two years later, this young Royal couple are beginning their first national and international “made in Canada” tour.  Stay tuned, I’ll be reporting on my experiences of being “in the crowd” on our Canada Day celebrations.