Royal Visit - 25
May 2005
Photos by Master Corporal
Shawn McDonald, Headquarters, 41 Canadian Brigade Group, Nancy Stratton-Desilets, and
Trudlie Lee/Brian Harder
Much of the following text is condensed from the official City of Calgary Royal Visit website:
Shortly after noon on Wednesday, May 25, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh arrived in Calgary - the final stop on their 2005 Royal Visit to Canada, in celebration of the centennials of the provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan. In honour of their visit, the Calgary Tower and Olympic Plaza torches were lit when Her Majesty's aircraft entered Calgary airspace. Upon their arrival at the Piedmont Hawthorne Aerocentre, Calgary International Airport, The Queen and The Duke were escorted to a private event at The Museum of the Regiments where students from Master's Academy had gathered to greet the Royal Couple. Her Majesty dedicated the christening of the atrium of the museum as The Queen Elizabeth II Atrium. The Royal Couple also took the time to talk to the officers and senior non-commissioned members of Her Majesty's two Calgary regiments, and posed for formal portraits with the Officers and Senior Non-Commissioned Members.
Photo by Master Corporal Shawn
McDonald, Headquarters, 41 Canadian Brigade Group
Photo by Trudlie Lee/Brian Harder
- click to enlarge
Afterwards, Her Majesty's motorcade travelled down 9th Avenue South to be greeted by Premier Ralph Klein and Dr. Colleen Klein Sparks at the Round Up Centre for a luncheon. In the meantime, the doors of the Pengrowth Saddledome were opened to accommodate the crowd of 15,000 Royal Visit Calgary ticketholders gathered outside, in anticipation of the arrival of Her Majesty. Cadets and Saddledome staff greeted guests upon their arrival and escorted them to their seats where a commemorative programme and flag awaited.
Outside, soldiers of the Calgary Military Garrison, including the two Calgary Regiments, as well as Her Majesty's Canadian Ship Tecumseh, lined the street as the motorcade brought the Royals to the performance, dipping the Regimental Colours as she passed.
| The Regimental Colours march into position.
From left to right; Lieutenant Lowther Sergeant Holland Second Lieutenant Mills Master Corporal Shawn McDonald, Headquarters, 41 Canadian Brigade Group |
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| Lining the route. Master Corporal Shawn McDonald, Headquarters, 41 Canadian Brigade Group |
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| Dipping the Guidon of the King's Own Calgary
Regiment. Master Corporal Shawn McDonald, Headquarters, 41 Canadian Brigade Group |
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| Soldiers of 33 Field Engineer Squadron Present
Arms as the lead vehicles of the motorcade pass. Master Corporal Shawn McDonald, Headquarters, 41 Canadian Brigade Group |
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An exceedingly rare sight - the Colours of an Infantry Regiment dipped, as Her Majesty's vehicle drives past on the way to the pageant at the Saddledome. Nancy Stratton-Desilets |
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The pre-show heightened the sense of
anticipation further as members of the audience learned about royal etiquette and military
protocol, practiced their singing, and were treated to a number of musical selections by
the Calgary Youth Orchestra. Dignitaries in the audience included Prime Minister of
Canada, the Right Honourable Paul Martin and Mrs. Sheila Martin; the Governor General of
Canada, the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson and His Excellency John Ralston Saul; the
Premier of Alberta, the Honourable Ralph Klein and Dr. Colleen Klein; Lieutenant Governor
of Alberta, the Honourable Norman Kwong, and Her Honour Mrs. Mary Kwong; and the Mayor of
Calgary, His Worship Dave Bronconnier, and Mrs. Cindy Bronconnier.
By the end of the pre-show, the Royal Couple had made their way to the Pengrowth
Saddledome where children from namesake elementary schools, including Queen Elizabeth,
Prince of Wales, Ecole King George, and Ecole William Reid, lined the entrance to greet
Her Majesty.
The Royal Couple was treated to a variety of entertainment including performances by the
Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus; the Calgary Youth Orchestra; the Young
Canadians of the Calgary Stampede, Paul Brandt, Jennifer Lyon, Tim Tamashiro, Dave Kelly,
the Tryzub Ukrainian Dance Ensemble, along with hundreds of people from Calgary's
multicultural groups, Lisa Odjig and Marcie Meguinis together with singers and dancers
from the Treaty 7 First Nations and a cast of more than 600 singers from a selection of
Calgary's elementary schools. Following these performances was the Official Farewell
Ceremony to Canada, featuring the entrance of the Guard of Honour mounted by The Calgary
Highlanders and The King's Own Calgary Regiments, led onto the floor by the Regimental
Band of the KOCR and Regimental Pipes and Drums of The Calgary Highlanders. The programme
concluded with the singing of a traditional farewell song, "Will Ye No Come Back
Again?".
The British press would later comment that it was a show that rivalled a West End
production in London.
After the show, Her Majesty greeted the producer and number of performers from the show,
and representatives from the Royal Visit Calgary Organizing Committee.
| The 100 man Guard awaits the arrival of Her Majesty; the Saddledome was filled to capacity.. Nancy Stratton-Desilets |
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| A 100 man Guard of Honour was on parade for the
pageant inside the Saddledome; Piper (former Pipe Major) Mark MacDonald can be seen at
left, and Warrant Officer Terry Afflick carries the Canadian Forces Colour at right.
Visible is the 50 man Guard supplied by The King's Own Calgary Regiment (RCAC), who
by virtue of their seniority in order of precedence as an Armoured Regiment, take the
"right of the line" on parade. Master Corporal Shawn McDonald, Headquarters, 41 Canadian Brigade Group |
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| A galaxy of VIPs were in attendance, most of
whom are visible here, including Her Majesty and Prince Phillip, the Governor General
Adrienne Clarkson and His Excellency John Ralston Saul, Prime Minister Paul Martin and
Mrs. Sheila Martin; Lieutenant Governor Norman Kwong and Mrs. Mary Kwong; Premier Ralph
Klein and Dr. Colleen Klein; and Mayor Dave Bronconnier and Mrs. Cindy Bronconnier. Master Corporal Shawn McDonald, Headquarters, 41 Canadian Brigade Group |
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| Captain Clapperton at the head of the 50 man
Calgary Highlanders Guard. Master Corporal Shawn McDonald, Headquarters, 41 Canadian Brigade Group |
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| Her Majesty takes the Royal
Salute. Her grim countenance would soon be replaced by a broad smile as she came
down to inspect her soldiers. Master Corporal Shawn McDonald, Headquarters, 41 Canadian Brigade Group |
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| The Guard Commander asks Her Majesty if she
would like to inspect her soldiers. The massed bands can be seen in the background. Master Corporal Shawn McDonald, Headquarters, 41 Canadian Brigade Group |
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| The inspection by Her Majesty, accompanied by
the Guard Commander from the King's Own, as well as one of her Aides-de-Camp from the
Canadian Air Force. Master Corporal Shawn McDonald, Headquarters, 41 Canadian Brigade Group |
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| Sergeant Desilets, Sergeant Tucker and Corporal
Martin during the finale; a piper of the Calgary Police Pipe Band can be seen at top
right. Master Corporal Shawn McDonald, Headquarters, 41 Canadian Brigade Group |
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| The Band of the King's Own
Calgary Regiment was augmented with musicians from The Loyal Edmonton Regiment (4 PPCLI)
and HMCS Tecumseh. Drum Major Jim Stewart and Pipe Major Chris Penney lead The
Calgary Highlanders Pipes and Drums. Master Corporal Shawn McDonald, Headquarters, 41 Canadian Brigade Group |
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Shortly after 5 pm, the 29-car Royal Motorcade departed for the airport, passing thousands of well-wishers who had gathered on the Municipal Plaza in front of Historic City Hall and the Calgary Municipal Building, to bid Her Majesty farewell.