After 70 years on the throne, Queen Elizabeth II was the longest reigning monarch.
It was announced by Buckingham Palace this morning that she passed away peacefully at Balmoral castle in Scotland with the company of her family.
During her reign as Queen, Elizabeth II had visited BC on six royal trips to Canada.
Prior to her being Queen, in October 1951 Princess Elizabeth, Duchess of Edinburgh and the Duke of Edinburgh went on a coast-to-coast tour of Canada. They visited Victoria on this journey.
In 1959 on her first official visit to Canada as Queen, she and the Duke of Edinburgh visited several cities on their journey through BC on the royal train. They stopped in Victoria and Nanaimo on this royal tour.
In May 1971 Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Phillip and Princess Anne visited BC on the Royal Yacht Britannia to celebrate the 100 year anniversary of BC’s entry into confederation.
During the 80s, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh visited Vancouver Island twice.
In 1983 they traveled to Victoria on the Royal Yacht Britannia during another royal tour. The royal couple also took the Royal Yacht to Nanaimo and Vancouver.
Then in 1987, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip went to a luxurious retreat in Qualicum Beach before spending time in Greater Victoria. During this visit they attended the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting and Queen Elizabeth II unveiled BC’s newly updated coat of arms.
In 1994, The Queen and Prince Philip opened the 15th Commonwealth Games in Victoria and paid a visit to CFB Comox.
The last time she was in BC on an official tour was in 2002. The Queen was celebrating her Golden Jubilee and she unveiled a stained-glass window in the BC legislature. She also dropped the puck at an NHL exhibition game in Vancouver.
“British Columbians are deeply saddened by the passing of Queen Elizabeth II,” said Premier John Horgan in a media release. “The Queen will be remembered for her full-hearted service to her people, and her steadfast commitment to her duties as the sovereign and head of the Commonwealth.”
“Our thoughts are with all members of The Royal Family.”
