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Royal Visits Through the Decades
There are many advantages to living and working in a town that sits on
a trans-continental railway line. Easy access to the rest of the
country, and easy access to good from around the world are obvious
benefits. Along with that connection comes diversity – a population
that is less static and more varied.
And of course – you get more Royal Visits.
It started early.
The Duke of Connaught, the youngest son of Queen Victoria was on the
initial Royal train to pass over Grand Trunk Pacific lines.
In 1923, H.R.H. the Prince of Wales, the future King of England,
disembarked from the train and walked the ties for the last mile as it
approached Rivers.
In 1939, for the first time in history a reigning monarch visited
Canada. In Rivers, a royal visit committee was set up to request that
the train bearing Their Majesties would stop here. The petition was
granted and plans were made for school children to participate and a
memorial service which would follow the royal visitors' departure
The royal coaches stopped briefly at the station, but the train was
moving when the King, clad in dressing-gown, appeared on the receding
coach platform, to wave his greeting.
The people
of Hope B.C. were able to welcome the both of the royals, the folks in
Rivers were not so lucky
The train-arrival time was set back an hour, failed to dampen the
enthusiasm of some fifteen thousand persons waiting patiently,
truckloads of children and hundreds of automobiles (which had
travelled throughout the night from northern Manitoba and Saskatchewan
points) were pouring into Rivers.
50000 people were on hand to welcome Princess Elizabeth and Prince
Philip in 1951. Early citizen Mrs. Jean Sinclair had the honour of
meeting the Princess.
In 1958 a more unusual visit occurred. As Her majesty Elizabeth the
Queen Mother passed over Rivers en route to Australia and New Zealand,
Canadian Joint Air Training Centre aircraft rose in salute while Her
Majesty replied to the radioed greetings of the commanding
officer.
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