Calgarians reflect on Queen Elizabeth II’s historic legacy
Posted Sep 11, 2022 3:16 pm.
Last Updated Sep 11, 2022 3:18 pm.
Calgarians fondly remember the late queen’s visits to Calgary looking back on her time and the memories made in the city.
“I think her legacy will be long-lived here,” said one Calgarian.
The late Queen Elizabeth II often said Canada was one of her favourite places to visit and of her many visits, Calgary was a destination on five occasions.
Most recently, in 2005, then-premier Ralph Klien hosted a dinner in her honour.
It was that trip when the premier announced Highway 2, the road connecting Calgary to Edmonton, would be given the royal treatment, officially named Queen Elizabeth the second highway better known as the QE2.
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Of her five visits to Calgary, she came to Stampede grounds four of those times. And then for the first time, she came as a princess in October 1951.
“We decided to host a mini Stampede so it’s quite an interesting event because you might guess it is in Calgary in October, snowing. But we host a mini rodeo in the grandstand,” said Cassandra Cummings, Historical Specialist with the Calgary Stampede.
When she came during July and for the Stampede, she was especially a fan of the chuckwagons.
“We often see those photos that just seem to be of pure joy, they’re really enjoying themselves, it’s maybe not so formal of an event,” said Cummings.
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Her majesty’s impact on Calgary is more than just memories of her visits, this school here was re-named the Queen Elizabeth high school in 1953 to honour her coronation.
“She was curious to see our training and jumping program and was introduced to our breeding program, our stallions, mares, and foals here at spruce meadows.”
“And we gave her one of the products of that breeding program, a Black Hanoverian Gelding by the name of wigwom,” said Cummings.
Allison says her legacy will live on not just in Calgary, but in the hearts of every Calgarian who was lucky enough to be in her presence.
