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Their Majesties in Canada: The 1939 Royal Tour
In the spring of 1939, a new King and his gracious Queen captured the hearts of Canadians. As war loomed overseas, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth toured the country by train to meet their subjects and bolster the bonds of Empire. From small-town whistle stops to bustling cities, eager crowds cheered, sang and waited for hours, eager for a glimpse of royalty. CBC mobilized a crew of 100 to cover the tour, producing a rich radio archive of that royal spring.

	Quebec City rolls out the red carpet		Mackenzie King welcomes Their Majesties		The first royal walkabout
	After dodging icebergs and sailing through fog, the royal couple's ship finally arrives at Wolfe's Cove in Quebec. (Radio; runs 5:26)		In a formal speech, Prime Minister Mackenzie King describes the history and geography of Canada for the King and Queen. (Radio; runs 7:47)		After unveiling the National War Memorial in Ottawa, the King and Queen unexpectedly venture into the surrounding crowd of veterans. (Radio; runs 9:03)

	Presenting 'Chief Sitting Albino'		On the shore of the Pacific		Melville's shining moment
	Tribal drummers, chiefs in feather headdresses and a medicine man greet the royal couple in Calgary. (Radio; runs 13:21)		At the tour's westernmost stop in Victoria, King George VI praises the "loyalty and affection" Canadians have shown so far. (Radio; runs 11:24)		The Saskatchewan town of Melville remembers the throngs of spectators and air of celebration when the royal couple stopped for a visit. (TV; runs 4:36)

	Whistle stop at Sioux Lookout		'Sheer beauty and sheer terror'		A word from the Queen
	Spectators in a northern Ontario town are thrilled by a brief visit from the King and Queen. (Radio; runs 6:55)		A newspaper reporter describes the battle planes and huge crowds that greeted the King and Queen in the U.S. capital. (Radio; runs 14:19)		On the last day of the tour, the Queen tells Canadians the visit has been a "rare delight" for her. (Radio; runs 4:26)

	A fond farewell
	A commentator aboard the Canadian destroyer Saguenay surveys Halifax Harbour as the royal couple waves goodbye. (Radio; runs 12:40)

LINKS Related Topics from CBC's Archives Canada's New Queen 1939 royal tour rolls through Winnipeg King George VI's Christmas message of 1939 CBC.ca CBC News Indepth: The Royal Family Canadian Culture Online Program partner sites Mackenzie King: The Royal Tour of 1939 The CBC assumes no responsibility for the content of external links.

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