Ont. woman shares experience meeting the Queen in Midland in 1959
At Little Lake Park in Midland, not much has changed over the years, and while the stairs may have seen better days, more than 60 years ago, they set the royal stage for a historical event.
On July 4, 1959, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip made the stop as part of a trip to Simcoe County.
"Thousands of civilians lined the streets, the harbours and Little Lake Park to greet them and cheer them on," said Huronia Museum curator Genevieve Carter.
The visit is documented in the archives at the museum, where one picture shows two little girls presenting Her Majesty with flowers.
Two little girls meet with Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip during Her Majesty's visit to Simcoe County in July 1959. (Courtesy: Huronia Museum)
Catherine McLaughlin was one of those girls, and the dress she wore that day, made by Fabulous Formals in Midland, is also part of the museum's collection, donated in 2014.
"It was the fanciest dress I ever wore, maybe the most uncomfortable," laughed McLaughlin. "It was by great chance that Catherine Brandon and I were selected. Princess Anne was nine, so whoever with the town decided they would select nine-year-old girls."
McLaughlin said she was chosen from the local Catholic school while Brandon attended public school. Both were chosen because they had the highest marks.
McLaughlin calls meeting the Queen both an honour and a privilege.
"(The Queen) was very quiet," McLaughlin said. "Somehow, I just took it in strides and probably my parents were more anxious."
It's an experience McLaughlin said connected her to the royal family and the community. Something she reflects on now more than ever.
"Now that she's passed, I'm thinking she was and still is a great unifier because people are sharing their stories," McLaughlin said.
- Simcoe County legions prepare to bid farewell to Queen Elizabeth II
- Simcoe Muskoka residents remember brushes with Queen Elizabeth II
- Reflecting on Queen Elizabeth II's visit to Simcoe County in 1959
The museum said attempts had been made to track down the other girl pictured with the Queen.
"It would be interesting to talk to her as well," Carter said.
Since the Queen's passing, the museum has received several photos of the Royal visit.
A book of condolences is now on display at town hall for anyone who wishes to share memories and pay tribute.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.