Share this Story : The Sarnia Observer Copy Link Email X Reddit Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr

Reflections: Perth County's 1997 'Royal Mania'

Throngs of spectators gathered in Stratford to watch Queen Elizabeth II mark the success of the Stratford Festival Theatre Renewal Project

It was during this week 29 years ago that Stratford and surrounding communities in Perth County were gripped by “Royal Mania” when Queen Elizabeth II visited Stratford during an official Royal Tour of Canada.  

The last time Her Majesty had visited Perth County was in 1959, when she and her husband, Prince Philip, arrived in Stratford by train, attending a theatre performance of As You Like It. Almost 40 years later, local residents had another opportunity to catch a glimpse of their monarch. 

Reflections: Perth County's 1997 'Royal Mania' Back to video

 It all began in December 1996, when rumours swirled throughout Stratford that Queen Elizabeth II was going to make a stop in the city during her Royal Tour. Those rumours led to the Mayor of Stratford, David Hunt, confirming in local newspapers that he had heard some whispers of this possibility but could not announce anything at that time. It wasn’t until a few months later that the news became official, Queen Elizabeth II was in fact making a visit to Stratford in June of 1997. Local newspapers closely followed the story each month until the official announcement was made by then-premier Mike Harris.  

Queen Elizabeth II was to visit Stratford on the........

© Sarnia Observer