QUEEN’S DEATH BRINGS BACK NOSTALGIC MEMORIES OF HER 1959 VISIT TO GRAVENHURST

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

GRAVENHURST — The Queen’s sudden death was a “where were you” moment for another generation.

One that has special meaning for many who lived and grew up in Gravenhurst, not many years after Elizabeth Regina ascended the British throne in 1953.

Among Royal Tours, her visit here with Prince Philip in 1959 was but a fleeting moment if a footnote.

But to tens of thousands of Muskokans — many now with grey hair — it remains a highpoint of their lives.

Her death today, at age 96, was foreseen belatedly in her final hours thanks to her doctors.

Nonetheless it was shocking after seeing her just days ago smiling, greeting Britain’s new prime minister and in good state.

In 1959 she’d just turned 33 — was six years Queen — and was making only her second official trip to Canada.

Hitting every province in Canada it was a coup to have her for a few minutes in Gravenhurst to open the (only minutes before freshly-painted) Barge at Gull Lake Park.

The Royal couple christened the impressive musical stage as the band in red coats played God Save the Queen.

Mayor Wanda Miller welcomed them onto the white dais and my sister Cynthia Clairmont presented wild flowers to the Queen.

Streets off Hwy. 11 lined with loyal flag-waving monarchists greeted the Queen as the Royal motorcade arrived in town for the momentous occasion — a “20-minute” visit.

Following her slightly longer stop  — and walkabout with adoring crowds almost able to rub shoulders with her — she returned to her sleek black convertible with husband Philip at her side as she did for 73 years.

They headed up Brock Street and down Bay Street toward Torrance, where they re-boarded her CN Rail Royal train coach from Washago enroute to farther north and west.

It was on that street where this beaming four-year-old returned the “Royal wave” outside my home as I feverishly waved of my little red, white and blue Union Jack flag.

With fewer neighbours along the stretch approaching Muskoka Bay the motorcade didn’t approach the race track speeds seen today.

That Saturday was a day I remember and one recalled by many today as they reflected on seeing this remarkable monarch up close.

Comments on line — noting a MuskokaTODAY.com photo of her Bay Street passing — showed the affection and nostalgia that yet lingers for her and her visit — not only here but around the world where every news outlet reported her passing. There was universal praise. Even Google went grey.

Andris Kalnins: I was only four, but I remember being in front of the Livingstone House waving my little Red Ensign as she whizzed by — at least she was on my side and not Phillip’s

Mark Gidley: Saw them in Torrance walking down street to board train. Special memory.

Colleen McCourt: Truly a woman of strength and substance. The world will be less bright today.

John Burman: We saw her in Stratford on that tour.

Sybil Jackson: We saw them drive to Gull Lake Park then go down to the barge. We decided to drive over to Parry Sound where we saw them board the Britannia. The ship was just outside the harbour and all the lights came on as they approached it. Something else I remember is how strikingly good looking both the Queen and Prince Philip were. Pictures didn’t do them justice.

The next two weeks will be full of countless stories like this.

I reminisced today, when interviewed by YourTV, about my sister’s part and the role Gravenhurst played 63 years ago.

After getting out my trumpet and playing God Save the Queen, I said the Queen was “a woman everyone — women and men — should all emulate.”

A classy lady who set an example over decades of historic world changes in order and under often overwhelming circumstances. All the wile setting example few have lived up to.

King Charles III, who I saw in Hamilton at Dundurn Castle with now Queen consort Camilla, has big rubber boots to fill.

Just as Queen Elizabeth II and her predecessors for centuries have.

Only this time he and they won’t be able demonstrate the same legacy of service and excellence historians like Lucy Worsley will note.

EMAIL: [email protected]

28 years of ‘Local Online Journalism’

Twitter: @muskokatoday, Facebook: mclairmont1

Leave comments at end of story

SUBSCRIBE for $25 by e-transferring to [email protected]

Or go online to https://muskokatoday.com/subscriptions