Over the years Red Deer has been visited by various members of the Royal Family and Governors General of Canada. Here is a list of their visits:
Her Excellency the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson
2002 -- June 10
Her Excellency visited the Memorial Centre in Red Deer to celebrate the work of the Joint Refugee Committee of Red Deer and Lacombe. She spoke to a large crowd on the importance of immigration and cultural diversity.
The Right Honourable Ramon John Hnatyshyn
1992 -- August 15
His Excellency visited Red Deer College to present Young Hero Awards and to participate in the planting of a commemorative garden next to the College. He also presented the writer Kerry Wood with the Member of the Order of Canada.
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II Queen of Canada
1990 -- June 28
Her Majesty The Queen arrived at the Red Deer Industrial Airport and was chauffeured to the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre, where she opened the new state of the art pediatrics ward. A reception luncheon, co-sponsored by Premier Getty and Mayor McGhee, was held for Her Majesty at the Capri Centre. Her Majesty then departed in the early afternoon for Calgary.
The Right Honourable Jeanne Mathilde Sauve
1987 -- September 17
Her Excellency arrived at the Red Deer Industrial Airport with her husband. They then attended a reception in City Hall Park, a luncheon at the Capri Centre, and toured the Kerry Wood Nature Centre before leaving for Edmonton later that afternoon.
Her Royal Highness the Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowden
1980 -- July 26
The Countess of Snowden arrived by helicopter at Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High School. The RCMP chauffeured The Princess Margaret to a short reception lead by Mayor Curle at City Hall, then on to a luncheon at the Capri Centre, where Her Royal Highness presented the first Princess Margaret Scholarship in the fine and performing arts. After the luncheon The Princess Margaret flew by helicopter to Joffre for a tour of the Alberta Gas Ethylene Ltd. plant.
The Right Honourable Roland Daniel Michener
1973 -- October 18-22
Their Excellencies visited CFB Penhold, Red Deer and Lacombe. His Excellency then went on a two-day goose hunting trip.
The Right Honourable Roland Daniel Michener
1972 -- July 18-19
Their Excellencies arrived by helicopter at CFB Penhold, then proceeded to Red Deer, where they opened the 1972 Red Deer Exhibition.
The Right Honourable Roland Daniel Michener
1971 -- July 6-8
The vice regal train arrived from Edmonton. Over the course of three days Their Excellencies attended an official reception held by Mayor Barrett at the Club Café, visited the Lacombe Research Station, CFB Penhold and Sylvan Lake.
The Right Honourable Roland Daniel Michener
1967 -- November 2-5
The vice regal train arrived in Red Deer in the early morning. His Excellency dedicated the gates of the Red Deer Cemetery, had coffee at the Pioneer Lodge, talked with pioneers at the Twilight Lodge, went to Lacombe, and dedicated the new Red Deer Centennial Library building. His Excellency then went goose hunting for two days.
His Royal Highness the Prince George, Duke of Kent
1941 -- August 13
The Duke of Kent, who was undertaking a tour of Royal Air Force bases in Canada, disembarked briefly from his special train when it had made a short stop at the CPR station in the evening. His Royal Highness greeted members of the small crowd assembled on the platform, and asked some questions "concerning Red Deer, the size of its population and the chief industry. After about ten minutes the Duke asked to be excused and with a wave of his hand went back into [his] coach. His Highness made a hit with the crowd with his pleasant manner and his graciousness in coming out on the platform after a busy day."
Lord Tweedsmuir of Elsfield
1937 -- July 14-16
Lord Tweedsmuir's vice regal train arrived Wednesday afternoon at CNR station on Ross Street. The train was used for accommodations for the vice regal party while Lord Tweedsmuir visited parts of central Alberta. Lord Tweedsmuir was greeted by Mayor Hogg and then accompanied to a reception at the Armoury. Later that day as Chief Scout of Canada he officially opened the new Rover Hut and was presented with "a beautifully made and finished bow with a quiver of arrows" made by Kerry Wood. He ended his first day by meeting with veterans. On Thursday a planned trip to Sylvan Lake, Benalto, and Rocky Mountain House was rained out. On Friday Lord Tweedsmuir inspected the cubs in Red Deer, then visited Stettler and Lacombe. The vice regal train departed for Edmonton early Saturday morning.
The Earl of Bessborough
1932 -- September 20
Lord and Lady Bessborough made a brief stop in Red Deer while heading south from Edmonton. At the CPR station His Excellency inspected the boy scouts and girl guides and presented local Scoutmaster Callendar with the Medal of Merit.
Field Marshal, The Viscount Byng of Vimy
1922 -- September 15
Lord Byng, the Governor General of Canada, stopped in Red Deer to unveil the new cenotaph on Ross Street. He and Lady Byng were met at the CPR station by a delegation led by Mayor Collison. While in Red Deer Lord Byng also reviewed members of the local militia, the boy scouts and girl guides in The City Park before returning to the station and embarking on his train.
His Royal Highness the Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn
1912 -- September 5
The Duke of Connaught, the Governor General of Canada, accompanied by his wife the Duchess of Connaught and his daughter Princess Patricia, visited Red Deer in his capacity as Chief Scout of Canada to present colours to the local boy scout troop. The reception was to have taken place in the old Railway Park, but was moved into the CPR Station waiting room because of heavy rain. Mayor Welliver led the town's official delegation. Large numbers of children had turned out to see His Royal Highness because he had requested that "the boys and girls of the school were given a day's holiday in honour of his visit."
Earl Grey
1905 -- August 31
Lord Grey, the Governor General of Canada, was travelling north on the C & E Railway to Edmonton to attend the inaugural opening of the legislature of the newly created province of Alberta. He was accompanied by his wife, Countess Grey, Prime Minister Sir Wilfrid Laurier and other prominent persons. The train stopped in Red Deer for half an hour. Mayor Edward Michener led Red Deer's reception party at the station platform. The townspeople had decorated the platform with "a fine display of Grain in sheaf … on a stand some 20 feet high." Short speeches were given, then the vice regal party returned to the train and it left the station.
Visit  Former Governors General on The Governor General of Canada web site for more information and biographies.
| 
