A Royal Visit Remembered

In May 2005, Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. visited Alberta to celebrate the province’s centennial. Alberta officially became a province in 1905, and the royal visit marked an important milestone in its history.

During their visit from May 23 to May 25, the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh made their first stop in Calgary at the Museum of the Regiments, now known as The Military Museums. The royal couple toured the museum privately, recognizing the important role it plays in preserving and sharing Canada’s military history.

This visit held special significance for the museum. Her Majesty had previously opened the Museum of the Regiments during her visit to Calgary in 1990. Her return in 2005 highlighted the continued importance of the institution and its mission to honour those who served.

The visit also coincided with the Year of the Veteran, a national commemoration recognizing the contributions and sacrifices of Canadian veterans. By including the museum as an early stop during the centennial celebrations, the Queen acknowledged the service of generations of Canadians who served in uniform.

Today, The Military Museums continues to share the stories of Canada’s soldiers, sailors, and aviators, as well as the communities that supported them. The royal visits of 1990 and 2005 remain an important part of the museum’s history and a reminder of the enduring legacy of those who served.