Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip in Vernon in 1959. (photo credit: Greater Vernon Museum and Archives)

By Kevin Rothwell

Three royal visits to Vernon

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip were fond of Vernon

Apr 9, 2021 | 5:22 PM

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, were no strangers to British Columbia and according to provincial government records, visited the Okanagan three times including a extensive event in Vernon in 1959.

Vernon’s mayor at the time, his worship, Frank Becker, greeted the royals at the Vernon train station, with large crowds in attendance.

During that visit, there was a dedication made in Polson Park, followed by a visit and review of cadets at the Vernon Army Camp, and a parade down 32nd Avenue in a special limousine. The entire city came to a halt.

The Royal couple later visited Kamloops and took a float plane to Pennask Lake.

The Greater Vernon Museum and Archives has a very good quality 16 mm film of the Vernon visit available by clicking here.

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The Royal couple visited on the following occasions:

1983, March 8 to March 11 (British Columbia)

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh arrived in Victoria on the Royal Yacht Britannia. The royal couple also visited Vancouver, Nanaimo, Vernon, Kamloops (The Duke of Edinburgh only), and New Westminster during their West Coast tour.

1971, May 3 to 12 (British Columbia)

Queen Elizabeth II, The Duke of Edinburgh, and The Princess Royal, Princess Anne visited B.C. on the Royal Yacht Britannia to mark the centenary of B.C.’s entry into confederation. They visited several B.C. cities including Greater Vancouver, Victoria, Nanaimo, Tofino (Princess Anne only), Comox, Penticton, Kelowna, Vernon, Prince Rupert and Williams Lake.

1959 June 18 to August 1 (Tour of Canada – all provinces and territories)

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh visited several cities on their journey through B.C. on the royal train. Stops included Golden, Revelstoke, Kamloops, Spences Bridge and Vernon. They also visited New Westminster, Vancouver, Victoria and Nanaimo.

Prince Philip died Friday, April 9 at age 99. Buckingham Palace said the Duke of Edinburgh passed away at home.

(With files from the Canadian Press)