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 a welcoming ceremony, the Royal motorcade drove up University Avenue and through the MacLaren Gates enroute to the Lady Beaverbrook Residence where Princess Margaret attended a civic luncheon given by Mayor William T. Walker and City Council. Just prior to the luncheon, Her Highness signed the city's Distinguished Visitors' Book. During the main course of the meal, Mayor Walker proposed a toast to Her Majesty the Queen followed by a toast to Princess Margaret. At the conclusion of the luncheon, the Mayor gave a welcoming address on behalf of the citizens of Fredericton and City Council. Her Royal Highness stayed at the residence for approximately an hour and a half. Upon her departure, she was presented with a bouquet of roses from the citizens of Fredericton. The Princess' afternoon schedule included visits to the Legislative Building, College Field to address Guides and Scouts, the Christ Church Cathedral, and the new Polio Clinic. In the evening, she was guest of honour at a dinner given by Lieutenant-Governor J. Leonard O'Brien and the government of New Brunswick at the Lord Beaverbrook Hotel. The next day the Royal Visitor had 'a day of rest and recreation' at a private residence on the St. John River. In the evening she attended a special harness racing program at the Fredericton Raceway. On the morning of her final day in Fredericton, she attended a ceremony naming the multi-million dollar Trans-Canada Highway bridge "The Princess Margaret Bridge" followed by a brief tour of Camp Gagetown. She then departed by plane for Nova Scotia where her Canadian tour ended two days later.

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. The residence of UNB alumnus Stan Cassidy was chosen as the home for Princess Margaret to spend her day of leisure on the St. John River.

Source(s):

• UNB Scrapbook, July - December 1958 (UA RG 100), Telegraph Journal: 7 August 1958.
• Alumni News vol. 13, no.1 (September 1958): 7.

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