B6 - The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday October 9,2002 • Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II - A royal biography Her Majesty The Queen was bom in London Highnesses The Princess Elizabeth and The Duke presence on numerous occasions, and have on April 21, 1926 and later christened Elizabeth of Edinburgh in the autumn of 1951, travelling always admired your commitment to Canada and Alexandra Mary. from coast to coast. Thus began their lifelong your very genuine affection for Canadians. She was the first child of The Duke and relationship of affection for and service to our Over the past 50 years, Her Majesty has main­ Duchess of York, who later became King George country. tained a very visible and significant presence in VI and Queen Elizabeth. The Princess Elizabeth, Following the untimely death of her father our country. She has also been witness to many along with her sister the Princess Margaret (bom King George VI on February 6, 1952, The historic occasions. four years later), had her early education at home Princess Elizabeth acceded to the Throne as Her In 1957, she officially opened the 1st session and, after her father succeeded to the Throne in Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and was separately of the 23rd Parliament; presided over the inaugu­ 1936, became heiress presumptive. proclaimed Queen of Canada. The Coronation ration of the St-Lawrence Seaway in 1959; cele­ Shortly after her eighteenth birthday, she was took place 16 months later on June 2, 1953. brated the Centennial of Confederation with appointed Counsellor of State during the King’s As Canada’s Head of State, Her Majesty has Canadians in 1967; declared open the 21st absence and, for the first time, exercised certain been served by nine Governors General (Vincent Olympiad in Montreal in 1976; was honoured for functions of the Crown. Massey, 1952-59; Georges Vanier, 1959-67; her Silver Jubilee anniversary in 1977; pro­ After the Second World War, The Princess Roland Michener, 1967-74; Jules Leger, 1974- claimed the Constitution Act, 1982 which Elizabeth’s public engagements grew in number 79; Ed Schreyer, 1979-84; Jeanne Sauve, 1984- emcompasses the Canadian Charter of Rights and and frequency. 90; Ramon Hnatyshyn, 1990-95; Romeo Freedoms; officiated at the opening of the During her first official visit overseas in 1947, LeBlanc, 1995-99; Adrienne Clarkson, 1999- Commonwealth Games in Edmonton in 1978 and she celebrated her 21st birthday at which time she present) and nine Prime Ministers (Louis St- Victoria in 1994 to name but a few. made an international radio address pronouncing: Laurent, 1948-57; John Diefenbaker, 1957-63; On numerous fronts, The Queen’s relationship "I declare before you all that my whole life, Lester B. Pearson, 1963-68; Pierre Elliot with Canada and Canadians continues to grow whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to Trudeau, 1968-79 and 1980-84; Joseph Clark, An official portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, who stronger with each passing year. She has given your service..." 1979-80; John Turner, 1984; Brian Mulronqy, will be visiting Oakville during her golden her patronage to many Canadian organizations On November 20, 1947, The Princess 1984-1993; Kim Campbell, 1993; Jean Chretien, jubilee celebration. and retains a special relationship with the Elizabeth married Lieutenant Philip 1993-present). Jean Chretien stated in his congratulatory mes­ Canadian Forces. Mountbatten, now His Royal Highness The Throughout her reign, Canada has seen many sage to Her Majesty The Queen on the occasion As our Head of State, she is the fount of our Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh. They have four key historical developments: our evolution as a of the 50th anniversary of Her Accession to the Canadian Honours System that recognizes signif­ children: The Prince Charles (1948), now The bilingual and multicultural society, our rededica­ Throne (February 6, 2002): icant achievement and service of Canadians in Prince of Wales; The Princess Anne (1950), now tion to democratic principles and our enhance­ As Queen of Canada, you have borne witness numerous fields of human endeavour, such as the The Princess Royal; The Prince Andrew (1960), ment of a collective sense of shared values and to our national growth and, indeed, have been Order of Canada, Order of Military Merit, as well now The Duke of York and The Prince Edward purpose. present for many historic moments in the life of as decorations for bravery, meritorious service (1964), now The Earl of Wessex. She has been, and continues to be, a funda­ our country. I have had the honour to be in your and for gallantry. The couple first toured Canada as Their Royal mental part of that identity. As Prime Minister —with files from www.canadianheritage.ga.ca The Queen and Canada - 50 years of growing together ”1 would like to thank people everywhere for together. Since Her Majesty’s accession to the Cancer Society, the Canadian Red Cross Society, "I was always impressed not only by the grace the loyalty, support, and inspiration you have given Throne, our accomplishments have been as varied and Save the Children Canada, - she has helped she displayed in public at all times, but by the wis­ me over these fifty, unforgettable years. I would and numerous as they are historic - from the open­ raise public awareness of issues of profound dom she showed in private conversation." like to express my pride in our past and my confi­ ing of the St. Lawrence Seaway (1959), to the importance to all Canadians. As the first female (The Memoirs of The Late Prime Minister, dence in our future." patriation of the Canadian Constitution (1982), to member of the Royal Family to actively serve in Pierre E. Trudeau) On April 30, 2002, Her Majesty Queen the creation of Nunavut (1999). These and many the military, she continues to profile the critical Elizabeth II spoke these words that reflect both her other events have helped shape us as a people and role of the Canadian Forces (including peacekeep­ Many Governors General and Prime Ministers unfaltering sense of duty and dedication to service a country. The Queen has been with us to celebrate ers) in our lives by serving as Colonel in Chief of have commented over the years on how interested that transcend the years. It is in this very context many of these moments - a celebration of who and many regiments in every region of the country. As and well informed Her Majesty is about Canada that the upcoming Royal Visit of The Queen in what we are. As our Head of State throughout Sovereign of the Order of Canada, the Order of and current issues of concern to this country. The October 2002 will be seen as an ideal opportunity these years and on these occasions, she has unfail­ Military Merit, the Order of Merit of the Police first Governor General to serve her was Vincent for all Canadians to reflect upon commitment and ingly typified continuity, stability and integrity. Forces, and The Royal Victorian Order, she calls Massey and the first Prime Minister, Louis St. service, as well as what we have collectively built From the moment she was proclaimed Queen public attention to significant achievement and the Laurent. Since then she has been represented in the over the 50 years of Her Majesty’s reign as Queen of Canada, Queen Elizabeth II has had an impact exemplary service of Canadians in numerous country by nine Governors General including the of Canada. With the passage of years, both Canada on every facet of Canadian society. As Patron of fields of human endeavour, as well as decorations first Canadian-born as well as the first, and now and the Canadian Crown have evolved and shared many Canadian organizations - some spanning the for bravery, meritorious service and for gallantry. in the celebration of key moments and events 50 years of her reign, including the Canadian (See ‘Queen’s’ page B7) T t lf CflnDLELIOtlT <2)flLL The Oakville-Trafalgar Memorial Hospital Charitable Corporation invites you to. mm dn tiKJMT mm urnm. norattt mu. 2002 at the Burlington Convention Centre m m AND DIM.. A stylish evening with good friends. dancing 10 m music Of... The Russ Little Band Tickets, $250/person - Proceeds to The Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital (a charitable receipt will be issue for eligible portion) For early reservations or further information, please contact Aleta Mayer P. 905-338-4642 [email protected] F. 905-338-4135 GOLD SPONSORS BURLINGTON CONVENTION CENTRE SIIVFR SPONSORS Worgei Qtfe Q ioi Wlowers ^ cruise r centers - ' ;.." ' 'J r Tl r 1 ' ' 11 11 1 ' ;" 11111111111 ' 1 hur flvam liu'tU&n BRONZE SPONSORS AV/VLOD 2id8 Fim Jewellery - 7/// Communications.