I was brought up in an Ontario home of largely British background where a strong allegiance to the British monarchy was an unquestioned fact of life.
Age and experience, not to mention the foibles and exploits of almost every member of the family save the Queen and Queen Mother, have brought not a little cynicism to my view of royalty.
Nevertheless, I still get a tear in my eye when God Save the Queen is played and, when I heard that the governor general, the Queen’s representative in Canada, was to be in Saskatoon recently, there was no question but that I would drive the two hours to see her.
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When Adrienne Clarkson was named Canada’s governor general, the appointment was viewed with skepticism in some quarters and a rather cruel joke, “I’m Adrienne Clarkson and you’re not,” began making the rounds.
If the governor general is elitist, and to be honest, which of us isn’t in some way, she certainly didn’t show it that sunny Sunday in Saskatoon. From 2 to 4 p.m., she presided over the first governor general’s levee held in the province. And presided over it graciously.
Citizens from every walk of life attended, from Order of Canada holders to children.
She stood at one end of the great hall of HMCS Unicorn for more than two hours, greeting everyone who came to see her.
Despite her vice-regal role, Her Excellency didn’t look, well, regal.
More ordinary. A little dull, perhaps, if one could be forgiven for saying so.
She wore a grey printed dress with a handkerchief shirt, a deconstructed black jacket, patterned nylons, her Order of Canada medal around her neck and, fortunately, sensible shoes.
As people moved into position at the head of the line, one of her two aides de camp chatted with them while those ahead had their time with the governor general.
When the time came to move forward, she greeted her visitors, shook hands, asked where they were from and spoke with them for a minute or two.
In our case, we spoke about newspapers and the situation with all the dailies in the province being for sale, a topic with which she was most conversant.
After a couple of minutes, it was on to the buffet and the next in line had their moment in the vice-regal glory.
Meeting and talking to her reminded us that while we may be part of a small community, we are also the citizens of a diverse province whose “rocky shield, rolling plains, rich forests and lakes and rivers are as varied as the people who call Saskatchewan home.”
Our steps were lighter as we left the hall. I hope everyone’s were.
