What could be more intriguing than a journey into the past—especially when it involves royal visits? There were quite a few of them, and Ottawa was often one of the esteemed guests’ frequent stops. Ottawayes will tell you how locals welcomed such visits and which members of the royal family came to Canada’s capital.
Residents of Ottawa eagerly anticipated royal arrivals. The stands and the area around Parliament Hill were completely packed. So let’s begin our story, not skipping any vivid details and events.
Arrival in 1901
During this period, the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York visited Parliament Hill. This occurred on September 20, 1901, and they were accompanied by Prime Minister Wilfrid Laurier. King George V and Queen Mary travelled across the country for five weeks and delighted the people of Ottawa.
Interestingly, the royal couple attended a lacrosse match, visited a sawmill, and also viewed the mounted police.
Prince Arthur
From 1862 to 1870, the prince—later Duke of Connaught—visited Ontario, specifically Ottawa and Pembroke. The reason for the trip was the presence of a rifle brigade base.
Princess Louise
Between 1878 and 1883, the princess (or Marchioness of Lorne) visited Ottawa and the surrounding provinces. Together with George of Edinburgh (Prince Alfred), they toured the Royal Canadian College in Kingston, Ontario, where winning cadets received awards from Their Majesties.
Another interesting event of that era: the royal family laid the foundation of Queen’s University in Kingston.
Ottawa received both official and unofficial visits from individuals such as Prince Leopold (Duke of Albany), Prince George of Wales, and the Duke and Duchess of Connaught (Prince Arthur and Princess Louise Margaret).
Arrival of the Prince of Wales in 1919
Edward, Prince of Wales, arrived in Ottawa. The Library and Archives Canada holds photos showing the prince laying the Peace Tower cornerstone on September 1, 1919.
It’s worth reminding the reader that King Edward VII shocked the entire world when he abdicated in 1936. He had reigned for only a year, and his abdication was the price paid for love. Later, he married the twice-divorced American Wallis Simpson.
The Royal Tour
In 1939, a momentous event took place: a month-long royal tour across the entire country. Residents of Ottawa impatiently awaited the arrival of George VI and Queen Elizabeth. This was the first visit of a British monarch to Canada, and nobody wanted to miss it.
The visit served a political purpose—to strengthen ties between Great Britain and Canada, especially given that it occurred just before the outbreak of World War II. The royal family said farewell to Princess Elizabeth and Margaret Rose and set off on their journey.
How Did Ottawa Welcome the Royal Family?
King George and Queen Elizabeth were received by Prime Minister Mackenzie King, Lord and Lady Tweedsmuir, Cabinet members, and Ottawa Mayor Stanley Lewis. Everyone rejoiced, even firing a 21-gun salute. Church bells rang out.
Upon arriving, the royal family officially unveiled the National War Memorial in Ottawa on May 21, 1939. It was dedicated to everyone who fought in the First World War, also known as the Great War. Over 100,000 people attended the ceremony, including many veterans.
The trip was a major success—a true political triumph for the King and Queen.
Visit by Princess Elizabeth
She arrived in Ottawa in October 1951. Memorable photos remain, showing the young 25-year-old Princess Elizabeth dancing at the Governor General’s residence. It was her first visit to Canada, though delayed by a week because her father, King George VI, had fallen ill and undergone lung surgery. This extra time allowed organizers to prepare for the Princess’s arrival.
A crowd of 15,000 awaited her on the runway; she was at the center of all the attention. Princess Elizabeth had left her two-year-old Charles and one-year-old Anne back home. Despite the anxiety, she maintained perfect composure.
There were no major security issues during the trip across Canada—only one minor incident occurred in Vancouver during a university football match. Prince Philip tried to sign a football but didn’t manage to do so because it was accidentally knocked out of his hands.
Shortly after this visit, the young woman would become Queen. She spent 33 days touring Canada, during which she:
- heard the national anthem more than 150 times;
- signed 21 copies of the “golden books”;
- accepted bouquets from 23 young women;
- reviewed 24 units of the guard of honour;
- met with 53 mayors.
Here is how Queen Elizabeth later recalled the trip:
“I am sure that nowhere under the sun is there land so full of hope, of happiness and of fine, devoted, generous people.”
Queen Elizabeth in 1957
Another eagerly awaited visit by Queen Elizabeth occurred in 1957. Photographs show her flanked by Prince Philip and Ottawa Mayor George Nelms as they visited Lansdowne Park on October 16, 1957. In just four days in the country, the Queen accomplished a great deal, including the opening of the 23rd Parliament—an extraordinary milestone, as it was the first time a British monarch opened Parliament in Canada. The townspeople also flocked to the park to greet the Queen and Prince.
Princess Juliana
She remembered Ottawa fondly, having spent five years in the city (1940–1945). The Princess of the Netherlands found refuge here after the Nazi invasion of her homeland. Juliana and her three daughters were able to settle safely, for which the princess and the royal family felt deep gratitude.
The Dutch royal family stayed at Rideau Hall, and in 1943, Princess Margriet was born in Ottawa. She was baptized at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in the heart of the city.
Perhaps everyone knows about the princess’s gift—100,000 enchanting tulips, which sparked something much bigger. This is one of the things most closely associated with Ottawa. It also led to the long-standing Tulip Festival, which residents enjoy every year in autumn.
Princess Margriet
After her birth, the Princess made several more visits to Ottawa. In 2002, for example, she unveiled a statue that the Dutch had presented as a gift to Ottawa. This event took place in Commissioners Park, where Ottawa residents celebrate the festival.
Another interesting fact is that Ottawa has the Man With Two Hats monument, a replica of one in Apeldoorn, the Netherlands. It symbolizes the strong bond between the Netherlands and Canada.
The 1967 Centennial
On Canada’s 100th anniversary, a photo shows Queen Elizabeth cutting the first slice of a remarkable 10-metre cake. The celebration took place on July 1, 1967, at Parliament Hill.
It is worth noting that the Queen made 22 official visits to Canada. Of particular note is that she spent roughly half of that time in Ottawa.
Prince Charles and Camilla
On May 18, 2022, Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, arrived in Ottawa during an official visit. The royal couple took part in a traditional prayer service at a Ukrainian church in Ottawa, part of the Canadian royal tour.
The Royal Presence
Throughout the 18th, 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries, Ottawa warmly welcomed members of the royal family. Each visit was a special event marked by pageantry and spectacle. Everyone wanted to catch a glimpse of these otherwise distant royal figures.In the late 20th century, younger royals made unofficial visits to Canada and to Ottawa. In the 21st century, this practice—essentially the tradition of staying close to the people—has continued.