Queen Elizabeth visited Canada House, London on Sunday April 19th to honour Canadian servicemen on the eve of the anniversary of the Second Battle of Ypres.
The Queen, who’s Colonel-in-Chief of the Calgary Highlanders, was accompanied by Prince Philip (Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry), and Princess Alexandra (Colonel-in-Chief of the Canadian Scottish Regiment) at the reception which was part of the Canadian regiments’ commemoration of the First World War Centenary.
The reception was also attended by descendents of soldiers from these regiments who fought in the Second Battle of Ypres, specifically at the Battle of Saint Julien and Kitcheners Wood, as well as current service members.
April 22nd marks the anniversary of the first gas attack on the Western Front, which saw the Canadian troops in action on the front lines at Ypres.
Gordon Campbell, Canada’s High Commissioner, spoke of the royal visit: “It is always exceptional when Her Majesty comes and joins us at Canada House, particularly now as this is the 100 year anniversary of the bestowing of the first military honours to Canadians.
“You can just feel, in the room, how important it is to everyone that she is here. It really is an honour and it is the sort of commemorative activity that is important to the soldiers and the service people who are involved.”
The Canadian regiments’ visit to London is part of a pilgrimage that will see them visit the battlefields of the Western Front on the anniversary of Ypres, to commemorate the sacrifice of troops 100 years ago.
Source: British Monarchy
Images: Wikipedia Commons ©
Posted by: Éadaoin Hegarty, Centenary News