Royal visits to Revelstoke: Remembering Queen Elizabeth II

Revelstoke Museum and Archives reflected on the passing of Queen Elizabeth II Thursday in a post commemorating the impact the monarch had on Revelstoke.

On her way to lower the museum’s flag half mast, museum curator Cathy English recounts the importance of the Queen’s two visits to Revelstoke in a phone conversation with Mountaineer staff. “I think people really respected her both as a person and as the Queen,” English says.

A Revelstoke Review article from 1951, when the royal visited as a princess, details the affection and admiration the town showed. When the young Princess and Duke arrived in Revelstoke on October 25, 1951, snow blanketed the ground for the second time in recent history. Lining the lawns of the Canadian Pacific Railway, thousands gathered to greet them as they pulled into the station.

Queen Elizabeth during her visit to Revelstoke in 1959. Photo credits: Revelstoke Museum and Archives

“She did come here in the day when all of the Royal visits were by train,” English says. “It meant that Revelstoke was one of the major stops.”

English explains that with the majority of the town’s population having a British background, the community has a long history of strong and positive feelings towards the royal family.

These ties are evident in events such as the renaming of one of Revelstoke’s major parks in honour of Queen Elizabeth’s coronation in 1953.

“Coronation Day may not have been as pretentious in Revelstoke as in more populated centres, but it lacked nothing in loyal acclaim to Her Majesty,” writes Review staff in 1953. “Enthusiasm was everywhere in evidence, and the ceremony in Queen Elizabeth Park was one of the best ever held in Revelstoke.”

In 1959, over 5000 people gathered at the CPR station to welcome the royal couple. This time, the now Queen was welcomed on a beautiful July day. “Justice Minister E. D. Pulton, who accompanied Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip on their visit to Revelstoke last Friday, described the weather perfectly when he said, ‘This is Queen’s weather and we hope both stay with us for a long, time,'” write review staff on July 16, 1959.

The Queen during her visit to Revelstoke in July 1959. Photo credits: Revelstoke Museum and Archives

“A lot of the population has British background, so that was a fairly strong tie,” English says.

Queen Elizabeth II made 22 official visits to Canada, visiting every province and territory. Her reign spanned decades — 70 years — making her one of the longest reigning monarchs in history. The Queen passed peacefully on September 8, 2022.