Medicine Hat MLA Jim Horsman greets Queen Elizabeth II during a reception at Spruce meadows near Calgary during a Royal visit in 1990. Premier Don Getty is also pictured. --Supplied photo
cgallant@medicinehatnews.com@CollinGallant
As a provincial cabinet minister, Jim Horsman met Queen Elizabeth II on several occasions, with each leaving a large impression on the former Medicine Hat MLA and Alberta Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs.
“She made a promise of service that was followed her entire life, and to me that is the outstanding aspect of her reign,” said Horsman on Friday, one day after her death at age 96 after 70 years on the throne.
Their first meeting however, was 71 years ago.
Horsman was a boy scout in October 1951 when then-Princess Elizabeth and husband Phillip visited Canada. The Royal train stopped in his hometown of Moose Jaw, where Horsman and a friend were charged with presenting gifts as the royal couple stepped onto the platform.
Phillip noticed the boys’ short sleeve and short pant uniforms, and asked “aren’t you cold?”, Horsman recounted to the News on Friday.
“It was freezing,” he said, noting his sense of duty took over. “We went bolt upright, and said ‘oh, no sir!”
Year’s later, Horsman was chancellor of the University of Lethbridge during Alberta’s centennial year of 2005, and was in the receiving line at a black-tie royal dinner in Calgary.
Horsman relayed only the basics of their first meeting to Prince Phillip, who quickly replied, “that was October. You must have been cold.”
Horsman attended a number of events where the Queen was present during his time in politics. She also visited Alberta 1978 to open the Commonwealth Games in 1990 and 2005.
Your memories
The News is calling for submissions about readers’ meetings or brushes with the monarch, or simply reflections of moments they felt a personal connection with Queen Elizabeth II. Contact the author of this report at the News during business hours this coming week. The News hopes to publish a collection of stories next weekend.
