City set to recognize reign of queen
Prince George, Duke of Kent, speaks in Oshawa during a 1940 visit, the lone royal visit in recent history. The city will be marking the reign of Queen Elizabeth II next week when she will officially become the Commonwealth’s longest reigning monarch.
By Joel Wittnebel/The Oshawa Express
On Sept. 9, the City of Oshawa plans to recognize the historic reign of Queen Elizabeth II as she becomes the longest reigning British monarch in history.
The ceremony, taking place at Civic Square in front of Oshawa City Hall, will include a re-affirmation of allegiance to the Queen and a commemorative church bell presentation by St. George’s Church.
While not a hotbed of royal activity, many years ago in 1940, Oshawa was visited by the Duke of Kent.
Marking possibly the only time royalty has visited Oshawa, the Duke toured the General Motors plant and the airport during his stay.
According to archivist Jennifer Weymark with the Oshawa community Museum, it is unclear whether Queen Elizabeth I and her husband King George VI visited the city during their large cross-Canada tour in 1939, which did include a stop in Toronto and Kingston.