Queen and
People
The ancestors of Queen Elizabeth II form a
multicultural panorama. At least 40 different
ethnic, historic or religious groups can be
identified among them, including peoples of Asia
and Africa, as well as Europe and the Ancient
World.
Her Majesty possesses Jewish and Muslim as well
as Christian forebears and she is descended from
the Mongol Emperor Genghis Khan, among many
other historical figures. At the time of her
1986 visit to China, articles in Chinese
publications also asserted that she was
descended from the Tang dynasty of Chinese
Emperors.
| - Queen and State |
| - Queen and People |
| - Canadian Forces |
| - First Nations |
| - Royal Finances |
| - Royal Presence |
| - Symbols |
| Royal Family |
| History |
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Only a royal family can connect its people with the
mainstream of history in this direct and tangible way.
As a shared monarch the Queen is certainly living proof
of how racial differences can be bridged, for Her
Majesty is both Queen of Canada – a racially mixed but
majority white society – and Queen of Jamaica – a
racially mixed but majority black country.
Honours
The Queen is the fount of honour in Canada and the
creator of all official honours, whether they are
subsequently awarded by Her Majesty personally or on the
Queen’s behalf by her representative, the
Governor-General, with Her Majesty’s approval. Her
Majesty is the Sovereign of all official orders.
Royal Visits
Visits to meet people throughout Canada are an
important part of the Royal Family's role. Many of the
visits are connected to charities and other
organisations with which members of the Royal Family are
associated. In other cases, Royal visits help to
celebrate historic occasions in the life of a region or
the nation. For more information,
click here.
Anniversary Messages
Her
Majesty is pleased to send greetings to her subjects
celebrating their 60th or greater Wedding Anniversaries,
or their 100th or greater Birthdays. These may be
arranged through Rideau Hall, but must be requested well
in advance of the occasion. For complete information,
telephone Rideau Hall at (800) 465-6890, or to access
the Governor General's web site,
click here.
Writing to The Canadian Royal Family
Every subject has the right to address the Sovereign.
The Queen welcomes the frank expressions of Canadians'
concerns. These letters should be addressed to "Her
Majesty The Queen", and may be forwarded to: Her Majesty
The Queen, Buckingham Palace, London SW1A 1AA, United
Kingdom. The correct salutation is "Your Majesty".
Procedures are also in place at Rideau Hall for the
delivery of correspondence from Canadians to Buckingham
Palace via diplomatic bag. It is recommended that
Canadians first write to Rideau Hall, rather than
directly to the Palace, if the question being raised
involves the provision of advice or information on the
part of Rideau Hall to Palace officials (eg, requests
for the use of the title “Royal” and Royal patronages,
matters relating to official Royal Visits, requests for
anniversary or birthday messages, gift offers and
similar matters). The address is: Rideau Hall, 1 Sussex
Drive, Ottawa, ON K1A 0A1.