Story, Video and Photo's By: Andru Valpy
On Saturday July 3, 2010, Her Royal Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, accompanied by The Duke of Edinburgh Prince Philip, made a 6 hour stop over in Winnipeg Manitoba Canada as part of the 2010 Royal Canadian Tour.
With Winnipeggers still coming buzzing with spirit from Canada Day on July 1st, Queen Elizabeth was welcomed with smiles and red and white flowers at the new James Armstrong Richardson International Airport.
Her Majesty was the first passenger to walk arrive at the still- under- construction airport as her Canadian Air Force plane taxied into gate 7.
Greeted by Lt. Governor of Manitoba, His Honour Philip S. Lee;, Provincial Premier, Greg Selinger;, City of Winnipeg Mayor, Sam Katz,; and other state officials, Her Majesty and Guests took a brief walk about through of the new terminal while onlookers watched in awe of the radiant Queen.
After accepting a welcoming gift from the Manitoba Government, and signing a letter to future generations, Her Majesty and Prince Philip were whisked away to Winnipeg's Government House located on the grounds of the Provincial Legislature Building.
The Queen paused on her way into a luncheon inside Government House to look at a copy of the Magna Carta that is on loan to Manitoba.After the royal luncheon, Her Majesty was invited to unveil the newly refurbished Queen Elizabeth II statue made by Winnipeg artist Leo Moithat was relocated to the Government House garden grounds.
Two scarlet-clad RCP officers stood guard on either side as she and the Duke of Edinburgh discussed the historic British document briefly with Manitoba Lt.-Gov. Philip Lee.
The couple then entered the room where they dined with invited guests that included Premier Greg Selinger, former Gov. Gen Edward Schreyer, who was also the first NDP premier of Manitoba, former foreign affairs minister Lloyd Axworthy and other current and former Manitoba and federal politicians.
She was welcomed by Lee and Ron Evans, grand chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, gave a blessing before the meal.
During her garden walk about, Her Majesty planted a fresh beautiful Amber Jubilee Ninebark (Physocarpus Opulifplius 'Jefam) that was bred exclusively in Portage La Prairie, Manitoba.This plant was made created in spirit of Her Majesty's Golden Jubilee in 2012 and will be distributed across Canada to celebrate this soon- to- be historic event.
After accepting flowers from her onlookers and visiting a friendly Welsh corgi at the Government House, the royal party visited Winnipeg's french district of Saint Boniface where The Queen and Prince Philip privately strolled across the Louis Riel Esplanade privately.
The royal couple were then invited to reveal the cornerstone to the Canadian Museum of Human Rights which is the first federal museum built outside of Ottawa.
A copy of the famous Magna Carta was also displayed as part of this historic event and was shown while Her Majesty visited.
After thanking Her Majesty for her support in the museum, Prime Minister Stephan Harper and Premier Selinger led the tour group into the Scotia Bank Pavilion located at The Forks Market Place, which is internationally known as a historical site for peace keeping and trade.
After watching stunning performances from The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, The Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Winnipeg and Montreal based vocal quintet Chic Gamine and Singer-Songwriter Chantal Kreviauk, The Queen addressed the nation in front of a silent and tentative crowd:"Prime Minister, Premier, Ministers, Your Worship, Ladies and Gentlemen,After her majesty spoke, the royal party bid adieu to their excited crowd and departed towards the 17th Wing of the Canadian Forces Base.
Jeudi dernier, des milliers de Manitobains se sont réunis ici pour
souligner la Fête du Canada, fête qui est l’occasion, pour les Canadiens de
partout au pays, de célébrer l’identité et les réalisations canadiennes
ainsi que les valeurs chères à ce pays.
A few moments ago, I unveiled the cornerstone of the new Canadian Museum of
Human Rights. This building will, in due course, rise up to take its place
on the Winnipeg skyline. But it is also a symbol of the importance which
Canada attaches to human rights and its own role in promoting them at home
and throughout the world.
An integral part of this cornerstone is a smaller stone taken from the
meadows of Runnymede in England where Magna Carta was signed in the year
1215. That document was itself the cornerstone of democratic rights and
gave rise to the rule of Constitutional Law that now flourishes across the
English-speaking world.
Here at the Forks, the symbolism of Magna Carta is now joined to the
historical importance of a site where aboriginal peoples gathered for
thousands of years to exchange views and resolve conflicts. Ce sont là des
bases précieuses qui sauront sûrement inspirer le Musée national, auquel je
souhaite bon succès.
In this, Manitoba's 'Coming Home Year', I hope that today will be a special
and memorable time for each and every one of you."
It was there that the 17th Wing personal personnel mounted a Departure Guard upon Queen Elizabeth and The Duke, Prince Philip and the Royal party said farewell to Manitoba's Capital City en-route to Toronto’s Pearson International Airport for the continuation of her tour.
Tune into CJUM 101.5 fm on Thursday July 8th, 2010 for audio recap on "Wake Up Winnipeg", hosted by UMFM volunteer Andru Valpy.
Additional Photographs and videos may be found on The Aimless & Andy Show blog, YouTube and Facebook Fanpages.
(WITH FILES FROM THE CANADIAN PRESS)
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