The Queen’s Toronto Visit

Recently HM Queen Elizabeth completed a great tour of Canada. This tour included Toronto where I live. Of course in every event there was a hat – matching with the outfit of course.

Two of the highlights of the visit in Toronto came on July 4.

In the morning HM visited St. James Cathedral where she mixed with the regular congregation as well as a large crowd outside. One person had met the Queen on a school visit in Scotland in the late 1950s.

In the afternoon the Queen went to Woodbine Horse Race Track to watch the feature race (the 151st running of the Queen’s Plate) and present the trophy to the winner. I was at the event since I am a lover of horse racing. It was extremely busy and security was extremely tight. I had to not push myself because of health issues so I did not get any good photographs. I did get as close as about 30 meters (100 feet or so) and caught a glimpse of the Queen making here way to the Paddock to view the entrants to the race. Hats are very much encouraged at the Queen’s Plate especially to be worn by women. I would say about a quarter of the women participate in wearing fancy hats (in the premium areas of course hat wearing by women is nearly universal). Men on the other hand are not much of a hatty crowd in general. Of course male horse owners and trainers usually sport top hats and so do visiting dignitaries.

Here is a video of the July 4 events:

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GDwW5fm9zo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GDwW5fm9zo

Photographs of HM The Queen

Up close

A friend of mine, Norman Hart, was fortunate to be part of the media scrum at the visit in Toronto. He took some amazing shots of HM in her wonderful hats. They all seem similar in style and of course matching is a must.

Please respect the copyright of these pictures. Norman has given me permission to reproduce these on this blog. All rights remain with Norman Hart. Nothing of course prevents you from sharing this post on Twitter, Facebook or whatever social media.

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Original article: HM The Queen Visits Toronto July 2010

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