A GG to be proud of

Re: Governor General makes royal faux pas, July 20 Thank you David Johnston for representing Canada so well as our Governor General.

You showed the world what a true gentleman you are by helping the Queen navigate the stairs at Canada House in London. For some, a royal faux pas, for others a genuine gesture of respect and courtesy. Val Stephanson, Calgary It is the Canadian way to favour doing the “good” or “safe” thing rather than following ritual.

This not only applies to helping the Queen negotiate slippery steps, but to religious ritual, and to helping a friend, neighbour or stranger even when your help might involve something technically illegal, but not harmful.

The Governor General leads the way in doing the “right” thing despite the ritual. He makes us all proud. Jonathan Usher, North York, Ont. Surely this story should have been about the Queen and Prince Philip honouring Canada by their presence, and most especially about the magnificent brooch that Governor General David Johnston presented the Queen, filled with Canadian diamonds and the singular sapphire that had been retrieved from Baffin Island, absolutely one of a kind — as is our Queen and our most outstanding Governor General. Ted Ward, Toronto I can just imagine the uproar there would have been had the Queen slipped and fallen, injuring herself, and the Governor General just stood by saying,

“It is not protocol to touch the Sovereign.” He was being a courteous gentleman and protecting his Queen; indeed many a male in Canada and elsewhere can learn from his good manners and concern for a lady, moreover a gracious lady at that. Regina Silva Robinson, Toronto