Although Queen Victoria never set foot on Canadian soil, you can still find her all across Canada. Given that Canada as a distinct entity came into being during her reign, it’s not surprising that her name is everywhere. And in case you don’t know, we celebrate the sovereign’s birthday in Canada with Victoria Day in May each year. (It’s the third Monday in May.) So, for this week’s History Bite, I would explain some of the Victorian connections you see on maps of Canada today! So, let’s get to spotting Queen Victoria’s name in Canada….
Provinces
There are two provinces named for relatives of Queen Victoria.
Prince Edward Island– Prince Edward Island is one of Canada’s Maritime provinces, and is our smallest province. It was named for Queen Victoria’s father, Prince Edward, Duke of Kent and Strathearn. Prince Edward served as a major-general in Quebec and in Nova Scotia, and then was promoted to Commander-in-Chief of the British forces.
Alberta– Alberta is one of Canada’s western provinces, known for the Rocky Mountains. You might think that it is named for Prince Albert, but it is actually named for Princess Louise, Victoria’s daughter. (Her full name was Louise Carolina Alberta.) The province of Alberta entered Confederation in 1905. Princess Louise and her husband, the Marquess of Argyll, had lived in Canada from 1878 to 1883 while he was Governor General.
Cities and Towns
You will see Victoria and her relatives showing up all over the place in city and town names. (It is a good bet that if it sounds like a person’s first or last name, it is a member of her family.)
Charlottetown, PEI– Charlottetown, the capital city of Prince Edward Island, is named for Victoria’s grandmother, Queen Charlotte (wife to King George III).
Victoria, BC– This was originally a Hudson’s Bay Company post, and was renamed Fort Victoria in 1843 in honour of her. Victoria is the capital of British Columbia, and home to the infamous Empress Hotel (also named for Victoria).
Regina, SK– Princess Louise, then living in Canada, named the city after her mother- regina being the latin word for Queen. (Note: it is not pronounced like the Latin word, reh-gee-nah, but rather reh-ji-nah.)
Prince Albert, SK– A visiting Presbyterian minister on a mission in 1862 to the Cree in the area named the mission for Prince Albert, the queen’s husband who had died in December of 1861.
Geographic Features
Lake Louise– Lake Louise, one of the most photographed spots in the world, is named after Princess Louise, as well. (Spend time in Canada, and your name goes on the map!)
Mount X– All of Victoria’s children have a mountain named for them in BC or Alberta (either their first name or a middle name).
There are countless small towns, hospitals, parks, gardens, schools, streets, and more named after Queen Victoria and her family. Dig into the map of any province or city and you will be spoiled for choice?
Where have you spotted Queen Victoria’s name in Canada? And happy (early) Victoria Day!
Cheers,
The Historian
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