The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York in Carleton Place

In 1901, the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York, who later became King George V and Queen Mary, visited Canada as part of a worldwide tour to inaugurate the new Commonwealth.[1] While it is not known by many, Carleton Place, Carleton Junction, and the C.P.R. roundhouse had a role in making this such a successful tour. 

Their Royal Highnesses, along with the rest of the royal party, spent most of their Canadian tour aboard a one-of-a-kind train made by the Canadian Pacific Railway[2]. On Thursday, September 24th, 1901, the Royal Train departed Ottawa. Its next stop was not until Thursday, September 26^th, in Winnipeg.[3] As mentioned in previously, when the Canadian Pacific Railway took over the Canada Central Railway in 1881, Carleton Junction became the point of connection between the rail lines from Toronto and Montreal, with the main line running westward to British Columbia.[4] Therefore, the Royal Train would have come from Ottawa, passed through Carleton Place, gone towards British Columbia to be able to make it to Winnipeg two days later. Even though Carleton Place was not officially a part of the tour’s program, it was inevitable that they would pass through.

As a result, the residence of Carleton Place decided to give their Royal Highnesses a welcome they would not soon forget:
 

“Carleton Place isn’t going to give the Duke a garden party or a harvest home luncheon or anything of the kind, but the citizens are just going to make that portion of the town through which he passes look so enchanting that the whole Royal party will be disappointed at not being allowed to stay here a week instead of thirty minutes.”[5]

According to the events that followed, it would appear as though this goal was met. Approximately 3,000 people gathered around Carleton Junction and the C.P.R shops to welcome the Duke and Duchess. The station was decorated in banners and flags sporting the Union Jack. At 1:20pm the first section of the train arrived at Carleton Junction. Though this first train did not contain the Duke and Duchess, the crowd cheered and waved their flags to welcome the first half of the Royal party. The Mayor of Carleton Place, and the rest of the town, extended their welcome to Major Maude and Lady Minto. Sir Wilfred Laurier was also on this first section, and even came out onto the platform to converse with the people of Carleton Place.[6]  

Half an hour later, the Royal Train arrived. Anxious to get a glimpse of the guests of honour, the crowd cheered in excitement and waved their small flags as the train drew up to the platform. Upon its arrival, children sang the National Anthem (God Save the Queen), the Maple Leaf Forever, Soldiers of the Queen, etc. After they had finished their lunch, the Duke and Duchess shook hands with the Mayor, who graciously welcomed them. To much surprise, the Duke and Duchess chatted with other town members about Carleton Place, its size and its industries. After expressing their delight at the large and enthusiastic gathering, the train rolled away amidst a sea of cheer and applause.[7] While the entire visit of the royal party may have been less than an hour, it has forever cemented Carleton Place as part of a global history.