Heir to British throne receives royal welcome

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. The subject of today’s article is on the future King Edward VIII, who, in 1936, abdicated after only one year on the throne to marry Wallis Simpson.

OCTOBER 2, 1919 — Individually and collectively, the people of Penticton excelled themselves in the wonderful welcome that greeted H.R.H. the Prince of Wales and heir to the British Crown last Tuesday morning, from the time he stepped off the train at South Penticton, until he boarded the Sicamous an hour later for the trip up the lake.

There was little formality about the reception of the Prince here beyond the reading of the address and the reply thereto, and this fact lent a better spirit to the occasion and greatly pleased both the prince and the large crowd that gathered to greet him.

Hundreds of citizens, shouting greetings and waving flags, filled the Ellis school grounds when the automobile bearing His Royal Highness pulled up to the curb in front of the school, and although they had come primarily to cheer the institutions he represented, his boyish appearance, charming personality and winning smile captivated all immediately and a thunderous cheering applause rang out for “the Man.” The front entrance to the school was artistically decorated and the coat of arms of the Prince of Wales was cleverly depicted over the door, above which hung a long streamer bearing the words “Welcome to Our Prince.” Reeve F.M. Smith read the address of welcome from the citizens of Penticton, which was beautifully illuminated on parchment and enclosed in the royal colours of purple and gold. The prince’s reply was as follows : “I am very grateful for the cordial way in which you have welcomed me to this beautiful district, and I beg you to convey my thanks to all the citizens of Penticton. “It is a great pleasure to me to have been able to visit Penticton and the Okanagan Valley, of which I have heard so much, and also to have this opportunity of congratulating you on your fine services to the Empire during the war. I appreciate very much your kind reference to my own modest service as a junior officer in the field.

“I will gladly convey your warm expression of loyalty to my father, the King, and I wish all the residents of the district a prosperous future.”