The Legion we know today was first founded in Winnipeg in 1925 as “The Canadian Legion of the British Empire Services League”. Later, it was incorporated by a special Act of Parliament with its Charter issued in 1926. Quite some time later, in 1961, the Act was amended after the Queen consented to the use of the prefix “Royal” and the Legion became the Royal Canadian Legion.
“Our deep feeling of honour and respect for Her Majesty and our memories of her will remain firmly entrenched in our minds and hearts forever,” says Bruce Julian, Dominion President. “We will never forget her generous patronage and what her support has brought to our organization.”
The late Queen was a Veteran herself, having served as an army driver and mechanic during the Second World War. She was a true role model in behaviour and grace that will be fondly remembered forever.
Members of the royal family have shown great reverence for Canada’s Fallen over the years. The Queen’s son, now the King, and the Queen Consort placed a wreath at the National War memorial in 2009 and also in 2020 during the Queen’s 70th Jubilee. The Legion’s National Remembrance Day Ceremony in Ottawa was also attended by her Majesty’s daughter, the Princess Royal, Princess Anne and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence in November 2014.
At the original inauguration and dedication ceremony of the country’s National War Memorial in May 1939, the late Queen’s own parents King George VI and Queen Elizabeth were present.
The Royal Canadian Legion originally launched with a mission of supporting and being a strong voice for First World War Veterans and has now extended that dedication to the country’s military and RCMP Veterans both at home and abroad.
The Legion’s ties to the monarchy and the Commonwealth will remain strong with the succession of the King and will be embodied by His Majesty’s representative in Canada, Her Excellency the Right Honourable May May Simon, the current viceregal patron of the Legion. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will be remembered.