Royal Visits from 1786 to 1951

This is a list of visits to Canada by members of the Royal Family, along with the periods of residence of royal governors general.

1786-87

Prince William, the future King William IV, came to Canada as part of a naval contingent serving in North America and the West Indies.

1791-98, 1799-1800

Prince Edward, Duke of Kent (later father of Queen Victoria), fourth son of King George III, stayed in Canada on military duties and as Commander of British North American troops.

1860

Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, undertook a two-month tour of Upper and Lower Canada.

1861

Prince Alfred spent five weeks in the Maritime Provinces, Newfoundland and Lower Canada.

1869-70

Prince Arthur, later Duke of Connaught, spent a year in Canada with the Rifle Brigade based at Montreal.

1878-83

The Marquess of Lorne, accompanied by his wife, Princess Louise, resided in Canada as Governor General. Many members of the Royal Family visited them during this time.

1890

The Duke of Connaught toured Canada for several weeks.

1900

Princess Marie-Louise cut short an intended holiday in Canada, at the insistence of her husband, Prince Aribert of Anhalt, and of Queen Victoria.

1901

The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York (later King George V and Queen Mary), toured Canada coast-to-coast as part of an Empire-wide voyage.

1906

Prince Arthur of Connaught spent several weeks touring Canada.

1908

George, Prince of Wales (later King George V), visited Quebec for the city's tercentenary.

1911-16

The Duke of Connaught, accompanied by the Duchess of Connaught and Princess Patricia, resided in Canada as Governor General.

1913

Prince Albert, Duke of York (later King George VI), visited parts of Canada during his service with the Royal Navy, with his ship, HMS Cumberland.

1919

Edward, Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII), undertook a two-month tour of Canada.

1923

Edward, Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII), visited his ranch in Alberta, calling in at many major towns and cities over a seven-week period.

1924

Edward, Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII), paid another visit to his ranch, as part of an unofficial tour of Canada.

1926

Prince George (later Duke of Kent) visited parts of Canada, including the West coast.

1927

Edward, Prince of Wales, and Prince George visited Canada for the Diamond Jubilee of the Confederation.

1928

Prince George paid a private visit to Canada.

1929

Prince Henry (later Duke of Gloucester) spent a short time privately in Canada.

1939

King George VI and Queen Elizabeth undertook a six-week coast-to-coast tour of Canada.

1940-46

The Earl of Athlone, with his wife Princess Alice, resided in Canada as Governor General.

1941

Prince George, Duke of Kent, visited air bases and training centres in Canada.

The Duke and Duchess of Windsor visited their ranch near Calgary

1945

Viscount Lascelles (later Earl of Harewood) joined the staff of Government House as aide-de-camp to the Earl of Athlone.

The Duke and Duchess of Windsor spend a short holiday in New Brunswick.

1951

Princess Elizabeth, the future Queen Elizabeth II, and The Duke of Edinburgh undertook a coast-to-coast tour of Canada.

[Taken from Royal Canada, Trevor Hall, 1989, Archive Publishing]