It was May 8,1971 when Dawson Creek saw a royal visitor arrive in Mile Zero.
It was a sunny, yet windy Saturday afternoon when the Queen’s jet arrived at the Dawson Creek airport.
The Peace River Block News estimated that the crowds gathered to see the royal party were between five and eight thousand. The visit was part of a ten-day tour of British Columbia to help celebrate its 100th year as a province.
The historical issues of the Peace River Block News held by the Archives relates the welcoming ceremonies:
“The Royal jet…touched down on schedule at the Dawson Creek airport at 2:30pm marking the first royal visit to the South Peace and the first Boeing 737 landing at Dawson Creek.”
National press film crews and photographers were the first to spill from the jet to position themselves for the Queen’s appearance.
As she stepped from the plane, the Dawson Creek School band struck up ‘O Canada’ and a resounding cheer went up from spectators.
The Royal family and dignitaries were met on the ground with the official welcoming party consisting of Mayor and Mrs. Bob Trail, MLA and Mrs. Don Marshal. Pouce Coupe Mayor and Mrs. John Beaulne and Alderman and Mrs. Emil Breitkreitz of Chetwynd.
Mayor Trail escorted the Queen around the pear-shape route. Mrs. Trail walked behind with Prince Philip and other dignitaries followed them.
As the wind whipped through the crowds Prince Philip was heard to say, ‘If it’s this cold now, what’s it like in the winter?’
Elizabeth died Thursday at the age of 96. She was born on April 21, 1926, Bruton Street, London and died September 8, 2022, Balmoral Castle, United Kingdom
The City of Dawson Creek will be lowering their flags to half mast - while England will be preparing for ten days of mourning.
- with files from Denée Renouf’s 2018 Dawson Creek Mirror feature and South Peace Archives
