Queen Elizabeth II

The Queen's visits were "such a big deal" to legions of New West residents through the decades.

Elizabeth II, Queen of the United Kingdom, Canada and the Commonwealth, ascended the throne as much by a twist of fate as by the grace of God.

MONTREAL — As he stood between wind-whipped Canadian flags on a podium in Iqaluit in 2017, Prince Charles recalled his official first visit to Canada's North nearly half a century earlier.

It was a classic and comforting sight on the British sporting calendar, Queen Elizabeth II smiling and waving from inside a horse-drawn carriage leading other members of the royal family in a procession along the racetrack at Royal Ascot.

The Queen dropped the puck for a ceremonial faceoff in 2002 between Markus Naslund and Mike Ricci, who took the place of the absent Owen Nolan.

As the world mourns the death of Queen Elizabeth II, the Richmond News looks back on the day Her Majesty cut the ribbon at The Tube in 1959.

OTTAWA — Queen Elizabeth II has been a constant presence in Canadians' lives. Her face is engraved on our coins. It graces the $20 bill and is featured on some of our stamps. Even buildings, parks, mountains and islands bear her name.

1971.

Until her death on Sept. 8, the Queen was the longest-reigning monarch in British history. She also served as Canada's official head of state, a role in which she was supported by the Governor General.

She visited Canada no less than 31 times since her coronation in June 1952.