Royal Family’s visit to city like a breath of fresh air
EDITOR’S NOTE: In recognition of Canada’s 150th anniversary, the Herald is reprinting historic stories from the South Okanagan focusing on the biggest news story of each year.
MAY 6, 1971 — Penticton bade a reluctant and regretful farewell this morning to a radiant sovereign who has carved a niche for eternity in the hearts of its people.
The visit of Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip and Princess Anne from its beginning to its all too sudden end was like a breath of fresh air pumped into the city’s arteries.
Relaxed, gay and informal, the Queen won what was acknowledged by tour officials to be her warmest welcome since starting her B.C. visit.
She wooed the most responsive crowd in this city’s 63-year history — a crowd that jammed every vantage point at the airport, along the parade route and at the Peach Bowl ceremonies preceding the civic banquet.
She came, she saw, she conquered.
Thousands flocked to the city from throughout the region and parts of the United States to greet the Royal Family.
And the visit seemed to transform the city into a wonderland of fantasy.
It was as if she descended from a cloud-covered sky into an Eden with its white and pink orchard blossoms, its officials smart and polished, and its setting lush and inspiring, as only the Okanagan in spring can be.
Little children clutching flags stood awestruck at a monarch who had come to life from the pages of their storybooks.
A dazzling smile, a wave from a gloved hand, held them fascinated. It was a touching sight.
This was the city’s proudest, most memorable moment as the Armed Forces Cosmopolitan bearing the Royal Family touched down on the tarmac at Penticton Airport and taxied to the terminal.
The crowd pushed and jostled for positions amid a tense atmosphere of expectancy, Temperatures hovered in the low 70s. For two emotion-packed moments, the crowd was silent. Then the Queen appeared in a dress of soft blue and mingled beige, and they exploded with everything they could offer. Cameras flashed. Flags waved. Voices cheered and hands applauded. The 16-member Penticton Pipe Band under Drum Major Howard Duncan played the Royal Salute. Mines Minister F.X. Richter, MLA for Boundary-Similkameen, greeted the Royal Family and introduced them to Mayor and Mrs. F.D. Stuart and William Rempel, airport manager.
Flowers Presented Queen Bouquets of flowers were presented to the Queen by Catherine Lee Hewitt, daughter of Ald. and Mrs. J.J. Hewitt, and to Princess Anne by Valerie Anne Coe, granddaughter of Ald. and Mrs. John Coe.
The Queen, escorted by Mayor Stuart, wearing his chains of office, the Duke, escorted by Mrs. Stuart, and the Princess, escorted by Mr. Rempel, then moved through lines of air cadets towards the waiting procession cars.
A second plane brought in Fisheries Minister Jack Davis, the federal government’s representative, along with several members of the travelling press corps. Another press plane was grounded at Cranbrook when a fuel leak developed. A replacement was sent from Calgary, and the newsmen and photographers were able to arrive on schedule.
The Royal Family chatted with several of the cadets, among them Manuel Torres of Oliver, Daryl Bourke of Penticton and Brian Warsimage of Oliver, who was asked by Prince Philip about his St. John Ambulance badge.
The Queen asked David Tymm of Penticton how long he had been a cadet and commented on the strength of the corps.
They then sauntered past the throng of spectators and stopped to talk on several occasions.
The Queen spoke to Mr. and Mrs. Terence Watkins of Penticton after recognizing Mrs. Watkins’s British accent. Prince Philip asked what brought her to Canada, and she replied it was Robert Service. He then told her that she should be up in Dawson City.
Mrs. Watkins told the Queen she had seen her with her sister in Cardiff, Wales. She had also met the Duke’s aunt, Countess Mountbatten, who presented her in 1956 with nursing prizes.
The Prince commented on the Interior Region Boy Scouts badge worn by the Watkinses’ son, Christopher, 9.
“She looked so radiant and carries her age so well,” was Mrs. Watkins’s reaction.