Royal Visit 1958
Date(s) of occurrence: 7 August 1958
Significance: Princess Margaret spent part of three days in the Fredericton area towards the end of her six-week Canadian tour. On her final day in the city, she attended a brief ceremony naming the multi-million dollar Trans-Canada Highway bridge "The Princess Margaret Bridge".
Summary of event: Following Princess Margaret's arrival at Union Station and attendance at a welcoming ceremony, the Royal motorcade drove through Fredericton enroute to campus where Princess Margaret attended a civic luncheon. The luncheon was given by Mayor William T. Walker and Council of Fredericton and held at the Lady Beaverbrook Residence. Prior to the luncheon, Her Royal Highness signed the city's Distinguished Visitors' Book. During the main course, Mayor Walker proposed a toast to Her Majesty the Queen followed by a toast to HRH Princess Margaret. At the conclusion of the luncheon, Mayor Walker presented a welcoming address on behalf of the citizens of Fredericton and the City Council. On her departure, the Princess was presented with a bouquet of roses from the citizens of Fredericton.
Notes: Industrial Food Services, the company in charge of food services on campus, catered the luncheon. Two extra chefs were brought in for the occasion, one from Montreal and one from Halifax. The guest list included civic officials and their wives, members of the clergy, and heads of city organizations. Also present were all former living mayors of Fredericton. The bouquet of roses was presented by seven-year-old Donna Shook, chosen from the Children's Home.
Source(s):
- UNB Scrapbook, July - December 1958 (UA RG 100), Telegraph Journal: 7 August 1958.
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