Hamilton remembers Queen Elizabeth II and her visits to the city

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Published September 8, 2022 at 3:27 pm

The City of Hamilton is mourning the death of Queen Elizabeth, remembering her three official visits to the city.

Buckingham Palace announced the Queen, the longest-reigning monarch in British history, died at the age of 96 today (Sept. 8).

“It is with heavy hearts that we have lowered our flags to half-mast following the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II,” the Hamilton Police Service said in a tweet. “She made many remarkable contributions during her 70 year reign. We join the Commonwealth in mourning.”

The bells tolled at Cathedral Place and the flag was also lowered at the John Weir Foote Armoury where she served as Colonel-in-Chief.

“HWDSB is saddened to learn of the death of Queen Elizabeth II,” said the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board in a tweet. “We will be joining organizations across Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, and the world by flying flags at half-mast. Our thoughts are with her family members and loved ones as they mourn this loss.”

The Hamilton sign in front of city hall on Main St. will be illuminated in official Royal Purple on Thursday and Friday evenings. Flags at all City of Hamilton municipal buildings have been lowered to half-mast.

“We will remember Queen Elizabeth for her immense public service to the UK and Commonwealth countries and the depth and vigour with which she served for 70 years,” Hamilton Mayor Fred Eisenberger stated.

The Queen made three official visits to Hamilton, according to Hamilton Public Library archives.

In 1951, she visited as Princess Elizabeth, before becoming Queen. This was part of a Canada-wide tour and her first trip to Canada. She and her new husband Prince Philip made a coast-to-coast tour of the country.

In 1959, she toured the city greeting people lining the streets to see the young Queen Elizabeth II. A video shows her at the former James Street Station. A huge crowd gathered at civic stadium (in the same location as the present day Tim Hortons Field) as her car passed through.

The 1959 visit was also with Prince Philip, and the couple toured for six weeks stopping in all provinces and territories.

Her last visit was in 2002 when she presented colours to The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada (Princess Louise’s) at Copps Coliseum (now FirstOntario Centre).

“I am happy to be in Hamilton today in order to present new colours and to visit my Canadian Argylls,” said the Queen at Copps Coliseum.

She walked through the stadium stopping to greet veterans and others gathered to meet her.

This stop in Hamilton was part of an 11-day visit to Canada with Prince Phillip as part of the Commonwealth Golden Jubilee tour.

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