Companion of the Order of Canada

• Awarded on: August 1, 2000
• Invested on: October 31, 2000

Her dignity and grace have served as a source of strength and inspiration for generations of her admirers. She is greatly respected for her sense of duty and has repeatedly demonstrated perseverance in the face of adversity. During the Second World War, in particular, she was a symbol of steadfastness to the people of Britain and Canada. The 1939 visit of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth was the first visit to Canada by a reigning sovereign. The Queen Mother's warm and open nature was displayed at that time in the first royal walkabout which set the tone for all future visits. After the death of her husband, she visited Canada ten more times, covering most of the country. She also maintained strong ties, which have continued to this day, with charitable organizations and her regiments in Canada: the Black Watch, the Toronto Scottish and the Canadian Forces Medical Service.