King George VI and Queen Elizabeth visited every Canadian Province on their landmark month-long Tour of Canada on this day in 1939, 85 years ago, ahead of the outbreak of the Second World War. The Tour was the first visit to North America by the Reigning Monarch, who was also the Sovereign of Canada.
King George VI and Queen Elizabeth began their Tour of Canada when they arrived in Quebec City on the RMS Empress of Australia. Basing themselves at La Citadelle, the King held the audience with Quebeckers in the Legislative Council chamber of the Legislative Assembly Building before the Quebec Government Quebec Government hosted a Banquet for the King and Queen (wearing the Fringe Tiara) at the Chateau Frontenac.
In Montreal, the King and Queen signed the Golden Book in City Hall, and viewed ceremonies in the Monson Stadium ahead of a Dinner at the Windsor Hotel, following which the King and Queen (in the Teck Crescent Tiara) boarded the Royal Train.
In Ottawa, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (wearing the Oriental Circlet Tiara) presided over the opening of the 4th session of the 18th Parliament of Canada, following the unveiling of the war memorial.
In the evening, the King and Queen (in the Teck Crescent Tiara) attended a Parliamentary Dinner hosted by Prime Minster Rt. Hon. W.L. Mackenzie King at the Chateau Laurier in Ottawa.
King George VI and Queen Elizabeth stayed in Ottawa with Governor-General Lord Tweedsmuir and Lady Tweedsmuir at Rideau Hall.
King George VI also had his Official Birthday Celebrations in Canada, with a Trooping the Colour Ceremony and a review of the troops in Ottawa, watched by the Queen from the Governor General’s office in the east block of the Parliament building.
In Toronto, Queen Elizabeth inspected the Toronto Scots Regiment on the north campus of Toronto University, where she presented Colours to the Regiment, ahead of a visit to Niagara Falls.
From Ontario, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth embarked on the Royal Train, travelling through Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta, stoping in Winnipeg, Regina, Calgary and Banff before arriving in Vancouver and later Victoria, British Columbia, while their return East included stops in Edmonton and Saskatoon.
Following a five-day State Visit to the United States, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth visited the Maritime provinces, stopping in New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland before their Return to Britain.
