Will Queen come calling?

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This article was published 08/09/2009 (6101 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

More than 50 years after her first visit to Manitoba, Queen Elizabeth may be back in Manitoba next July, sources told the Free Press.

Not since a chilly visit in October 2002 when the Queen’s ferry broke down on the Red River has the monarch stepped foot in the province.

A spokesman for Buckingham Palace said Monday he was aware of the planned official visit to Canada, but wasn’t clear on specific Winnipeg dates.

Another royal visit to Manitoba by the Queen in 2010 would come as the province celebrates its 140th anniversary as well as festivities tied to the year-long Manitoba Homecoming 2010.

There may not be many more chances for Manitoba to host the globe-trotting monarch who turns 84 in April.

"I think there is a lot of excitement," said Darcie von Axelstierna, chairwoman of the Manitoba chapter of the Monarchist League of Canada.

"Because of Her Majesty’s age, this could be her last visit to Canada," von Axelstierna said.

"It’s tremendously important if she comes. We’re optimistic," von Axelstierna said.

"She’s been back twice (to Canada) since 2002" and didn’t visit Manitoba. "There’s a good chance for her to visit us this time," she said. "I sure hope so."

The last time the Queen was in Winnipeg, it was for her 50th anniversary tour in October 2002.

She and husband Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, were whisked from 17 Wing to The Forks for a walkabout in chilly weather with spectators bundled up in ski jackets and gloves.

The royal couple was treated to a stage show in front of the legislature that featured Manitoba artists such as singer Loreena McKennitt. The province also hosted a lavish dinner for the royals inside the legislature. But the event that put Winnipeg on the map and made headlines around the world was the breakdown of the water taxi ferrying the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh across the Red River.

A second water taxi was sent to their rescue and the two boats were lashed together for the river crossing.

Prince Philip joked about the episode and the Queen nimbly climbed from one boat to the next when they docked at the St. Boniface quay.

Von Axelstierna said she thinks a 2010 visit may be less adventurous, but just as busy.

"There will be lots of opportunities for the public to come out and see the Queen," she said. "I’m sure they will probably have received a lot of requests for visits from charities and organizations," she said. The Queen can’t do everything, but she still has a lot of energy, von Axelstierna said.

"I’m sure hopeful that when I get to be her age I’m as strong and active and alert as she is."

Official visits are part of the Queen’s job, said von Axelstierna, one of 17,000 monarchist league members in Canada. The league promotes "the full expression and better understanding of the benefits of constitutional monarchy to this country."

The 83-year-old monarch hasn’t lost her sense of duty and commitment to the job — they’re what keep her going, von Axelstierna figures.

"That’s all she’s known. That’s how she was raised. Clearly it’s what makes her happiest.

"It keeps her active and her mind going and meeting all these people is good for the health. She definitely is doing what she enjoys doing."

The cost of the Queen’s 2002 visit to Manitoba — which was less than 24 hours — was about $500,000.

Monday night, the federal government confirmed the Queen and Prince Philip will visit Canada next year, but said details are still in the works.

 

— with file from Gabrielle Giroday

carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca

Royal visits to Manitoba

2007 — The Earl of Wessex (Prince Edward) for the Duke of Edinburgh Awards presentation — Winnipeg

2003 — Prince Michael of Kent and Princess Michael (Baroness Marie Christine von Reibnitz) attend the grand opening of the Leo Mol phase 3 garden — Winnipeg

2002 — Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh (Prince Philip) official visit — Winnipeg

1999 — Princess Anne attends the Pan-Am Games

1997 — Prince Philip views damage from Manitoba’s Flood of the Century

1996 — The Prince of Wales (Prince Charles) official visit — Churchill, Winnipeg

1993 — Prince Edward presents the Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards — Winnipeg

1990 — Prince Edward official visit — Winnipeg, St. Malo, Gillam, Churchill

1984 — Prince Philip presents The Duke of Edinburgh Gold Awards — Thompson

1984 — Queen Elizabeth official visit — Winnipeg, Dauphin, Brandon, Dugald

1982 — Princess Anne official visit — Winnipeg, Brandon, Selkirk

1979 — Prince Charles official visit — Winnipeg

1978 — Prince Philip attends functions re: the St. Boniface General Hospital Research Foundation Award — Winnipeg

1974 — Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon (with Lord Snowdon) takes part in the centennial celebrations of the City of Winnipeg

1971 — Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon (with Lord Snowdon) opens the new Winnipeg Art Gallery

1970 — The Queen, Prince Philip, Prince Charles and Princess Anne attend 100th anniversary of Manitoba’s entry into Confederation celebrations — Churchill, Thompson, Gillam, Flin Flon, Norway House, Swan River, The Pas, Dauphin, Clear Lake, Brandon, Portage la Prairie, Oakville, Winnipeg, Carman, Beausejour, Lower Fort Garry

1967 — Prince Philip attends the 1967 Pan American Games — Winnipeg

1967 — Princess Alexandra, The Honourable Lady Ogilvy official visit — Brandon, Winnipeg

1959 — Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip tour of Canada — Winnipeg and St. Boniface.

— Source: Government of Manitoba