A royal history
P.E.I.’S Dalvay by the Sea has seen different royal families walk through its doors over the years
When Prince William and his wife Kate landed on the grounds at Dalvay by the Sea, it gave the world a chance to see the new royal couple in a different light. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were on Prince Edward Island as part of their royal visit to Canada in 2011. The world saw them challenge each other to a 200-metre dragon boat race across Dalvay Lake — and Kate pretending to push William into the water after he won the race.
William also carried out an emergency landing procedure in a Sea King helicopter on the same lake.
“It was a playful atmosphere,” recalls Kyle Mackinnon, sales manager at Dalvay by the Sea.
Mackinnon spoke to the Saltwire Network as he was getting ready for an open house at the historic property over the long weekend, inviting Islanders and visitors to see the site that has been touched by royalty.
In 2011, William and Kate sampled Island food prepared by a team from the Culinary Institute of Canada, listened to local musicians, walked down to the beach to put their feet in the sand and did a number of wardrobe changes in the inn’s honeymoon suite. “There was just a buzz in the air,” said Mackinnon.
The visit to the historic inn may have been based on the recommendation from Queen Elizabeth.
In 1959, Queen Elizabeth stayed just across from Dalvay Lake and Mackinnon says the Queen suggested her grandson and his new wife visit Dalvay by the Sea as part of their Canadian visit.
Mackinnon said having the royals come to Dalvay by the Sea may have led to the inn being voted as one of the top 10 most romantic destinations in Canada in 2013.
“We actually get specific requests to stay in the room that Kate and William had for the day,” said Mackinnon. “It really invokes excitement about the property and just stepping into the same footsteps as the royals.”
Mackinnon said Will and Kate are not the only royals to grace the grounds of Dalvay by the Sea.
Wealthy businessman Alexander Mcdonald, who built the summer home in 1896, had two granddaughters, Helena and Laura, who went on to marry princes. The girls were raised by Mcdonald and his wife, Laura, in Cincinnati, Ohio, and spent many summers vacationing on P.E.I. They eventually inherited $15 million, including Dalvay by the Sea, after Mcdonald died in 1910.
“The inheritance made them two of the wealthiest women in the world at the time,” said Mackinnon.
Helena went on to marry Prince Murat of France and Laura married Prince Rospiglioisi of Italy.
Helena and Laura ended up selling Dalvay by the Sea to the caretaker for the back taxes after learning their inheritance was lost through bad investments.
The inn has changed hands many times over the years but it continues to be an iconic property on P.E.I. and a Parks Canada national historic site.
Mackinnon says he is keeping his fingers crossed Dalvay by the Sea will be on Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s royal visit list.
“We would welcome the newest royal couple with open arms and consider ourselves fortunate to be a part of their celebration.”
We actually get specific requests to stay in the room that Kate and William had for the day,” said Mackinnon. “It really invokes excitement about the property and just stepping into the same footsteps as the royals. Kyle Mackinnon, sales manager at Dalvay by the Sea