Description To Royal Visits

R. H. Sherwood’s
Flashback
17/05/78 

To Royal Visits

In the year 1900, Right Honourable Sir Wilfred Laurier, Prime Minister of Canada, was elected in 1896, caused quite a stir in civil circles in Pictou. Ottawa announced that the Prime Minister would visit the Shiretown, and not much notice was given tot eh Town Fathers. Word of the visit was received by the Town Council on Friday, August 12, 1990, and Sir. Wilfred’s visit was scheduled for Monday, August 15.

Even with such a short notice the townsfolks decorated their homes and places of business. On Monday there was a parade, and Mayor A.J. Craig presented Sir Wilfred with an address of welcome. The council minutes of 1900 didn’t make clear the purpose of he Prime Minister’s visit. However, it could have been political as Sir Wilfred was ending his five years in office.

The next important visitor to Pictou was Lord Minto, Governor- General of Canada. He was to arrive on Sunday, July 21, 1901. Alexander C. MacDonald, Mayor at that time, and his council began to plan for the visit, but before planning had advanced too far, word was received that the Governor- General wanted no reception. He wished to spend Sunday quietly, and he did, with jus the mayor and town councillors calling on him in the afternoon.

The purpose of his visits was not disclosed in the council minutes of 1901. Despite Minto’s request the town did have a public reception on Monday, July 22, 1901.
Another Royal visitor to Pictou come in 1860 in the presence of Edward, then Prince of Wales, but destined to become King Edward VII in 1902.

The Prince arrived in Pictou on the evening of August 8, 1860, by the famous Concord Coach, drawn by six beautiful gray horses. Hiram Hyde, the man who pioneered stage coaching in Nova Scotia, drove the Prince from Truro to Pictou.
Arches were erected and speeches of welcome greeted the Prince at Durham, Lyons Brook, at the entrance to town, and at the wharf where eh Prince left by teamer for Quebec.
T

hat same Prince, when he was about to ascend the thrown caused quite a stir in Pictou, for on May 2, 1902, Mayor MacDonald called a public meeting to prepare for celebration of “Coronation Day,” June 26, 1902, when the Prince would be crowned King Edward VII.
At that public meeting held on June 23, 1902, a total of 74 citizens voted to spend $350 “for a proper celebration.” None voted against the spending, and there is no record of how that $350 was spent, or whether the Town celebrated on June 26, or not, for, dur to illness, the Crowning of Edward VII had to be postponed until August 9, 1902. Council minutes of that year does not revel what was done to celebrate.

More recent visits by members of the Royal Family to Pictou occurred in 1939 when King George VI and his consort Queen Elizabeth, arrived by Canadian cruiser, and left by car after inspecting a Guard of Honor, and receiving welcome from the Town, Thomas H. Hooper was mayor at that time.

Another Royal visitor came to Pictou in 1973 during the bi-centennial anniversary of the arrival of the Hector in 1773 with Scottish emigrants. The visitor was Princes Alexandria who arrived in town on July 21st, and officially opened the Hector Exhibit Center and MacCulloch House.

Over the long years the mode of travel for Royalty arriving in the Province changed considerably. In 1860, the Prince came in Pictou by horse drawn stage coach. In 1939, the King and Queen came by water in a Canadian cruiser, and in 1973, Princess Alexandria came part way by helicopter and partly by motor car.

By Roland H. Sherwood (D. Litt.)
Historical Writer