A royal memory from 1939

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 30/09/2022 (1291 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Though I’m not not a royalty buff, the recent passing of Queen Elizabeth II took me back to when I as a six-year-old student at Margaret Scott School and had a brief glimpse of our then-King, Charles VI.

Prior to my mother’s passing she presented me with some keepsakes she had saved for me. I was surprised and highly moved that after all those years and several moves, including a lengthy stay in California, she was able to save some old photos, my baptism certificate, and a certificate commemorating my attendance at the visit of King George VI to Winnipeg on May 24, 1939. The certificates were rolled up and, considering their age, were in pretty good shape. I had them framed and hung up in my dining room, to which they add a touch of distinction.

The passing of Queen Elizabeth brought back memories of that long-ago event when my schoolmates and I had the opportunity to participate in that royal visit.

As children we had only a vague idea of the importance this event, but as there was such a fuss over the preparation, we too became embroiled in it. We were presented with small Union Jacks and our class hiked to Salter Street where, in the neighbourhood of the St. John’s Library, we lined up waiting for the royal procession. After a long wait someone hollered, “Here they come!” and we enthusiastically waved our Union Jacks as the procession passed by. I don’t think Princess Elizabeth was with the royal party. At that time she would have been 13 and probably too busy with schoolwork to accompany her parents on regal tours around the world.

As usual, there was a letdown after an event when large numbers of kids are closely monitored and our teachers had great difficulty trying to maintain order on the way back to school.

To commemorate the day we were issued certificates and bronze medallions with King George’s profile. My medallion was soon lost but, thanks to my mother’s providence I have the certificate from that long ago event, and memories of the sacrifices my mother made helping us make our way through life. I hope I have aged — to some extent — as graciously my mother and the Queen.