queen elizabeth

Torontonians mourn the loss of Queen Elizabeth II welcome new King

by Ron Johnson for Post City Posted: September 8, 2022 Photo: Queen Elizabeth at Toronto's Royal York (Twitter photo by @Mattrolinx

With the news of the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, Toronto residents took to social media and other public forums to express sadness at the loss of the British Monarch, also Canada’s Head of State.

“It was with the heaviest of hearts that we learned of the passing of Canada’s longest-reigning Sovereign, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II,” wrote Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, in a statement. “She was a constant presence in our lives – and her service to Canadians will forever remain an important part of our country’s history.”

Premier Doug Ford also issued a heartfelt statement on the Queen’s death, saying that “I join everyone across our province, country and the world in commemorating the remarkable life of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the Queen of Canada. Throughout her historic reign, she taught us the true meaning of selfless service.”

Other city leaders including Mayor John Tory also paid tribute.

The Queen’s last visit to Toronto was in 2010 when she was accompanied by her late husband Prince Philip On her visit to the city, she stopped in Woodbine Racetrack for the Queen’s Plate, which was renamed in her honour in 1952. A dinner was held in her honour at the Royal York Hotel hosted by then-Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

Following the Queen’s death, her son Charles is now King of England and the new Head of State for Canada in keeping with Britain’s constitutional monarchy.

King Charles was in Toronto last spring on a tour as part of the Canadian celebrations of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

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