Here are all of the times Queen Elizabeth II visited Toronto
Queen Elizabeth II died at 96 years old on Thursday after reigning the monarch for the longest spanning period in Britain’s history.
At just 25 years old, she stepped into her royal role following the death of her father King George VI on Feb. 6, 1952.
Here is a timeline of the Queen’s seven visits to Toronto over the course of her lifetime, according to footage from the CTV News Toronto and City of Toronto archives.
1951
The Queen’s first visit to Toronto took place in 1951. At the time, she was a princess standing in place for her father who was ill. A royal motorcade took the princess down Queen Street West to Old City Hall.
Photos capture Elizabeth at other notable city sites, including the Royal York Hotel, where she would later return on future visits. She also made an appearance at Sunnybrook Hospital and the Hospital for Sick Children.
Princess Elizabeth arrives at City Hall on October 1951 (Toronto Archives).
1959
Her first visit to the city in official capacity as The Queen took place nearly a decade later as part of a 1959 tour of Canada. During the 45-day tour, which encompassed 10 provinces and two territories, she waved from a car cascading down Bay Street.
Alongside Prince Philip, Elizabeth sailed into the Toronto Harbour aboard the Britannia. There, she was welcomed in Etobicoke at the 100th Queen’s Plate at the Woodbine racetrack.
The Queen and Prince Philip on Bay Street in June 1959 (Toronto Archives).
1973
The Queen’s following visit to Toronto took place just a few years later in June 1973. As part of an extensive tour of the province, she opened Scarborough’s new Civic Centre, and visited Queen’s Park and Ontario Place. At High Park, she attended a Black Creek Pioneer Village exhibit and was gifted a hand-made corn broom.
Queen Elizabeth II, escorted by Gov.-Gen. Roland Michener, passes a line of smiling faces upon her arrival at Toronto International Airport, Monday, June 25, 1973, for a 10-day tour of four provinces. THE CANADIAN PRESS
1984
A year later, the Queen returned to Toronto to celebrate the city’s 150th anniversary. At the festivities she made appearances at Toronto’s festival of international culture and formally dedicated the Peace Garden on Nathan Phillips Square.
A crowd applauded her arrival at a gala dinner with Ontario Premier William Davis where a tiara crowned her head.
She also visited the Royal Ontario Museum and was greeted by thousands of members of the Italian community on St. Clair Avenue West.
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip ride in an open carriage on the way to Ontario legislature at Queen's Park to hear Premier William Davis deiver a loyal address June 26, 1973. (CP PHOTO)
1997
On June 29, 1997, the Queen visited the Royal York Hotel where she joined Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien along with 900 others at a state dinner.
Queen Elizabeth II smiles during the Royal visit to Canada, June 28, 1997. (CP Photo/ Kevin Frayer)
2002
On Oct. 9, 2002, the Queen arrived in Toronto with Prince Philip to celebrate her Golden Jubilee, marking 50 years since she ascended the throne. Her visit to the city was part of a 12 day journey across the country to celebrate the occasion.
Queen Elizabeth II is greeted by Prime Minister Jean Chretien and his wife Aline as she arrives at Roy Thomson Hall for a gala performance in Toronto on Thursday Oct. 10, 2002. (CP PHOTO/Frank Gunn)
2010
From June 29 to July 6, 2010, the Queen visited Halifax, Ottawa, Winnipeg, Waterloo and Toronto. This marked her twenty-second tour of the country.
Again, she made an appearance at Woodbine Racetrack for the Queen’s Plate, a race meeting she first attended in 1959.
This was the Queen’s last visit to Toronto.
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