Royal Family
Important events related to the royal family.
April 21, 1926
Royal family
Birth of Elizabeth II
The future Queen Elizabeth II of England was born.
May 17, 1939
Royal family
First Royal Visit
King George VI and Queen Elizabeth arrived in Canada for a state visit, the first reigning monarchs to visit Canada or any Commonwealth country. On May 19, George VI gave royal assent to several Canadian Bills in the Senate Chamber.
February 06, 1952
Royal family
Queen Elizabeth II
While his eldest daughter, Princess Elizabeth, was touring Africa, King George VI died at the age of 56. Accordingly, Elizabeth became Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of — among other places — Canada at the age of 25.
June 02, 1953
Royal family
Queen Elizabeth II Coronation
The coronation of Queen Elizabeth II took place in Westminster Abbey.
October 14, 1957
Royal family
Elizabeth II Opens Parliament
Queen Elizabeth II opened Parliament, the first time a reigning monarch opened Parliament in Canada.
April 01, 1959
Royal family
St Lawrence Seaway Formally Opened
The St Lawrence Seaway was opened to commercial shipping. Queen Elizabeth II and President Eisenhower dedicated it on June 26. The Seaway provided transportation for ocean going vessels from Lake Superior to Montréal.
October 06, 1964
Royal family
Confederation Centre of the Arts Opens
The Confederation Centre of the Arts was declared open by Queen Elizabeth II on the 100th anniversary of the Charlottetown Conference.
October 10, 1964
Royal family
Queen Visits Québec
Queen Elizabeth II visited Québec. She was met with hostility by Québec separatists who saw her as the symbol of past colonial oppression, and the day is remembered as Samedi de la matraque or Truncheon Saturday.
December 15, 1964
Royal family
New Flag Adopted
A new national flag of Canada was adopted after much debate. The Senate gave its approval on 17 December. Queen Elizabeth signed the royal proclamation on 28 January and the new flag, with its red maple leaf and side bars, flew officially for the first time on 15 February 1965.
July 05, 1967
Royal family
Michener First Ribbon and Star
Governor General Michener was invested by Queen Elizabeth II with the first ribbon and pendant star of the Order of Canada.
March 08, 1982
Royal family
Canada Act Passed
The British House of Commons passed the Canada Act of 1982. It was adopted by the House of Lords on March 25. The Act ended British legislative jurisdiction over Canada. Queen Elizabeth II signed the proclamation in Ottawa on April 17.
April 17, 1982
Royal family
Patriation of the Constitution
Queen Elizabeth II proclaimed the new Constitution Act on Parliament Hill.
April 09, 2007
Royal family
Queen Re-dedicates the Vimy Memorial
Queen Elizabeth II re-dedicated the Vimy memorial at Vimy, France, on the 90th anniversary of the battle. In her speech she said, “In any national story there are moments and places, sometimes far from home, which in retrospect can be seen as fixed points about which the course of history turns, moments which distinguish that nation for ever. Those who seek the foundations of Canada’s distinction would do well to begin here at Vimy.”
June 02, 2012
Royal family
Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee
Queen Elizabeth II and Commonwealth countries across the globe celebrate Her Majesty’s 60 years on the throne.
July 22, 2013
Royal family
Birth of Prince George Alexander Louis
His Royal Highness Prince George of Cambridge was born in London, UK, to Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, and Prince William. He is the third great-grandchild of Queen Elizabeth II.
May 02, 2015
Royal family
Birth of Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana
Prince William and Kate Middleton, of the British royal family, welcome their second child, Charlotte Elizabeth Diana. Her Royal Highness Princess Charlotte of Cambridge is the fifth great-grandchild of Queen Elizabeth II.
September 09, 2015
Royal family
Queen Elizabeth II Becomes Longest-Reigning British Monarch
After 63 years and 216 days on the throne, Queen Elizabeth II became the longest-reigning monarch in British and Commonwealth history, surpassing Queen Victoria.
November 27, 2017
Royal family
Prince Harry announced engagement with Meghan Markle
Prince Harry, grandson of Queen Elizabeth II and son of Prince Charles, announced his engagement to actress Meghan Markle, best known for her role in the Toronto-shot TV series Suits.
January 08, 2020
Royal family
Prince Harry and Meghan to “Step Back” from Royal Duties
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced their plans to transition out of their roles as senior members of the Royal Family. “We now plan to balance our time between the United Kingdom and North America, continuing to honour our duty to The Queen, the Commonwealth, and our patronages,” their statement read. Buckingham Palace responded with a statement explaining that “Discussions with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are at an early stage,” and that “these are complicated issues that will take time to work through.”