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Carleton Place Heritage Project

British Commonwealth

David McIntyre, Commonwealth of Nations: Origins and Impact, 1869-1971 (Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 1973), 4-5, https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.proxy.library.carleton.ca/lib/oculcarleton-ebooks/reader.action?docID=316564.

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Introduction to the Royal Tour of 1901 in Canada
The British Royal Family has long embarked on Royal Tours of British colonies. These tours are not regarded as a chance to visit foreign lands, but rather an opportunity for the Royal Family to engage with the countries that are seen as an extension of the British Empire. Since Canada is a part of the British Commonwealth, Royal Tours through Canada were not a new idea. In fact, the first Royal Tour of Canada occurred in 1786.[1] As such, the following part of this exhibit will plot the tour of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York throughout Canada in the year 1901.

In late 1900, it was announced that the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York, would be embarking on a worldwide tour to inaugurate Australia into the Commonwealth. Originally, Canada was not scheduled to be a part of this tour. However, an invitation was sent to their Royal Highnesses by Sir Wilfrid Laurier, then Prime Minister of Canada, with the hope of welcoming them to the country. Ultimately, the decision to include Canada as part of this Royal Tour stemmed from the loyalty and devotion of Canadian subjects and of the bravery of the Canadian soldiers who fought during the South African War of 1899.[2]

Aboard a vessel known as the “H.M.S Ophir,” their Royal Highnesses embarked on a tour of the British Commonwealth which included India, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Canada was the last country to be visited. The ship sailed up the St. Lawrence River making its first stop in Québec. Once on land, the Royal Tour moved across the country by way of the Canadian Pacific Railway.[3]

[1] Arthur Bousfield and Garry Toffoli, Royal Observations: Canadians & Royalty (Toronto: Dundurn Press, 199), 23. https://books-scholarsportal-info.proxy.library.carleton.ca/en/read?id=/ebooks/ebooks0/gibson_crkn/2009-12-01/4/410437#page=26.
[2] Joseph Pope, The Tour of Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York through the Dominion of Canada in the Year 1901 (Ontario: S.E. Dawson, 1903), 1-2, https://archive.org/stream/touroftheirroyal00popeuoft/touroftheirroyal00popeuoft_djvu.txt.
[3] Joseph Pope, The Tour of Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York through the Dominion of Canada in the Year 1901 (Ontario: S.E. Dawson, 1903), 9, https://archive.org/stream/touroftheirroyal00popeuoft/touroftheirroyal00popeuoft_djvu.txt.