Royal Observations

Canadians and Royalty

Arthur Bousfield, Garry Toffoli

• Publisher: Dundurn Press
• Year: 1991
• ISBN:
  9781459713796
• Topic: Histoire
• Subtopic: Référence historique

These observations and quotations comprise a witty anthology of anecdotes by and about the royal family in Canada over the last 400 years. Enhanced by drawings from the well-known cartoonist Vince Wicks, this book looks at the memorable encounters, sometimes touching, sometimes disconcerting, sometimes hilarious, that Canadians have had with their own and other royal families. Arranged thematically Royal Observations covers such topics as Queen Victoria, English/French relations, World War Two, native peoples and royal tours.

1

MOTHER OF CONFEDERATION

Queen Victoria is undoubtedly a prominent figure in Canadian folklore. Cities, such as Victoria and Regina, innumerable Queen’s and Victoria counties and similarly named streets, parks, neighbourhoods, hotels and buildings all owe their names to her. No self-respecting community failed to erect a statue of the great monarch, at various stages of her life. Partially this was because Victoria was the Sovereign for much of Canada’s formative years and also because, despite many changes, Canada remains a Victorian country because of its historical birth, much as the United States remains an eighteenth century country in its outlook.

But Victoria’s association with Canada was far from merely symbolic. Her father Prince Edward, Duke of Kent was the most Canadian member of the Royal Family in his day, having lived in British North America almost continuously from 1791 to 1800 (a third of his life to that point) as a young man. Although her father died while she was still a small child, Princess Victoria was visited regularly by her father’s friends from Canada and kept relatively well informed of Canadian affairs.

As Queen, Victoria paid even closer attention to her North American domain with understanding references in her diary to events such as the 1837 Rebellion (she insisted that while legitimate punishment be meted out there was to be no vengeance against rebels, one of whom, George Etienne Cartier, she, in later years, made a baronet). Although she never came to Canada she arranged for most of her children to come, and encouraged such developments as Confederation. And of course she chose the capital city–Ottawa.

The Queen’s role in promoting Canadian unity truly made her the “Mother of Confederation” and at her death Victoria Day, that uniquely Canadian holiday, was created as a memorial day to perpetuate the celebration of her birthday. It is now also the official birthday of her successor Queen Elizabeth II.

When Queen Victoria died the Mail and Empire noted that the private mourning of people expressed “How near the Queen was to the hearts of her people, and how the thought of her had become part of the routine of life”. Although Canada never saw its Sovereign in person Canadians felt a personal bond to her that has left us a legacy of incident and story, real and apocryphal, reverent and irreverent, of the kind that can only flow from deep, intimate bonds.

Two Canadian authors are received by young Princess Victoria

Un recueil des gravures de scènes canadiennes, [des British Dominions in North America et du Topographical Dictionary of Lower Canada] dans une reliure élégante, velours et or, fut présenté à la duchesse de Kent. Mon père eût l’honneur de lui présenter les gravures en personne, au palais de Kensington. En cette occasion j’accompagnai mon père. On nous reçut avec beaucoup de grâce et de bienveillance. Après une conversation prolongée, au cours de laquelle mon père parla des nombreuses faveurs et de la protection dont il était redevable à feu le duc de Kent, Son Altesse Royale nous demande si nous n’avions été présentés à la princesse Victoria. Mon père ayant répondu que nous n’avions pas encore eu cet honneur, Son Altesse se leva du sofa où elle était assise, sonna la dame de service et lui demanda de prier la princesse de venir.

La future reine d’Angleterre entra quelques instants plus tard. Nous vîmes une belle jeune fille de quatorze ans dont le maintien indiquait une heureuse combinaison de dignité, de candeur et de grâce. Et c’est ainsi que nous eûmes, par la faveur spéciale de son auguste mère, le remarquable honneur d’une audience particulière de celle qui devait être une des plus grandes souveraines du monde.

Jen’oublierai jamais la bonté et la condescendance que la duchesse de Kent témoigna à mon père, et à moi-même incidemment, pendant cette audience que Son Altesse daigna prolonger pendant près d’une demi-heure.

Ecrivant aujourd’hui dans la trente-cinquième année du règne glorieux et prospère de la reine Victoria, une reine qui vit dans le coeur de ses sujets et qui commande l’admiration de toutes les Cours étrangères, c’est avec un sentiment de satisfaction et de sincère loyauté que je me rappelle cette audience à Kensington Palace en l’année 1832.

“Robert Bouchette ardent Patriote et fervent Royaliste”, extracts from the Mémoires of Robert Shore Milnes Bouchette, edited by Elinor Senior, Monarchy Canada.

On the Rebellions of 1837. A despatch to the Lieutenant-governor of Upper Canada expressed

the Queen’s confidence that, on the part of her loyal and faithful subjects in the Province, no vindictive feeling will mingle with their zealous and strenuous endeavours to put down insurrection and revolt.

Queen Victoria’s amnesty to the rebels of 1837 in Upper Canada.

VICTORIA, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Queen, Defender of the Faith, &c. &c. &c.

To all to whom these Presents shall come-

GREETING:

Whereas in cases arising out of the late unhappy revolt, and in the course of the administration of justice against persons implicated therein, it has been our anxious desire to extend our Royal mercy and forgiveness to our deluded and misguided Subjects, to the utmost limits compatible with the public peace, and the security of our loyal and faithful people: And whereas, in furtherance of our desire to extend our Royal clemency as above declared, we have heretofore granted our pardon to numerous offenders who have been convicted, and have also forborne to prosecute others who had rendered themselves, by their misconduct, liable to punishment; and we being resolved still further to extend our Royal clemency, and to make a final declaration of our will and pleasure with respect to all such of our Subjects as are, or have been in any way implicated in the said revolt, we have this day issued our several Royal Proclamations, in pursuance of an Act of our Provincial Parliament of our said Province of Upper Canada, passed in the first year of our reign, entitled, “An Act for the more speedy attainder of persons indicted for High Treason, who have fled from this Province, or who remain concealed therein to escape from justice”-calling upon and requiring such of our Subjects as have been indicted for the crime of High Treason, and who have withdrawn themselves from the Province, for the causes in the said Act mentioned, to surrender themselves to justice, that their several cases may undergo legal investigation and final adjudication.

And we do now make known and declare to all our Subjects who have not been indicted for any Treason, Misprision of Treason, or Treasonable offence, or who are not now in custody, charged, or liable to be charged with Treason, invasion, or hostile incursion into this Province, or who being charged with either of the said offences, have made their escape from any of our Gaols, or other place of confinement, that they may return to their homes, and that no prosecution for or on account of any offence by them done or committed, and in any way relating to, or connected with the said revolt, shall be instituted or continued, but that all such prosecutions shall terminate and be for ever void, hereby freely offering to all those our Subjects who may have been implicated in the said revolt, (excepting as aforesaid) our gracious amnesty, pardon and forbearance, for and on account of such offences, (excepting as aforesaid) and our Royal assurance, that, relying on their future loyalty and good conduct, they shall be received under our protection...