Will she or won't she? Queen invited to Hants

Hants West MLA Chuck Porter has made one big royal request; he's invited the Queen of England to come for a visit. The Queen plans to tour Canada this summer and Porter has asked that she consider including a stop in our region.

He has even offered a, “couple of ideas their Royal Highnesses might consider” including a tour of North America's oldest private boarding school, King's Edgehill and possibly a full salute from hundred of volunteer firefighters should her Majesty wish to commemorate the new Brooklyn civic center.

Porter admits its a long shot; but nothing ventured, nothing gained. “When I heard Her Highness was coming to Canada I thought why not take a shot at it?” In fact, precedent has already been set for a Royal stop-over.

The Queens last official visit to area was in 1976 when she opened what was then the brand new Hants community Hospital. Those of a certain age, Porter included, still vividly recall watching the Royal Procession make its way through the streets of Windsor.

It was quite an event for the region, one Porter would like to see happen again. “I know that whenever she visits Canada the crowds are tremendous. There is still a lot of interest in the monarchy; it is very much alive and well here in Canada. It is part of our history and tradition that we still honor today as part of the commonwealth.”

Porter is no longer alone in this ambition. Both the Town Mayor, Paul Beazley and West Hants Warden Richard Dauphinee have since penned their own requests in support of a Royal visit.

Porter says it would require a cohesive approach to organize such an occasion but one that would pay huge dividends to the communities involved. “I hope she will at least consider us. What better way to celebrate the new Brooklyn Fire Station, which was such a community effort and success, than with a Royal dedication. Wouldn't that be fun?”

Although there has been no confirmation as yet, his request has been acknowledged. “I'm very surprised that I even received a reply, but I did get a response from a secretary involved in the tour.”

Apparently, the Queens schedule while in Canada is still being ironed out. Her Highness and the Duke of Edinburgh will attend the Canada Day celebration in Ottawa on July 1. After that anything is possible.