Nova Scotia Buzz
This story was originally published on August 31, 2022.
Princess Diana is being remembered today, 25 years after her death on August 31, 1997 at the young age of 36. The entire world went into shock and mourning upon hearing the sad news. Known as the “People’s Princess” she died in a car crash in Paris. The accident shed light on the overbearing tabloid coverage and tabloid journalists that hounded her.
Diana’s First Step On Canadian Soil Was In Nova Scotia
On their Royal Tour of Canada in June 1983, Princess Diana and her husband Prince Charles arrived at CFB Shearwater outside of Dartmouth to an estimated crowd of 25,000 cheering people. External Affairs Minister for the Government of Canada and proud Cape Bretoner, Allan J. MacEachen offered “100,000 welcomes” in Gaelic, English and French.
Prince Charles had visited Canada multiple times in the past, but this was Diana’s first visit to Canada. The Royal couple paid visits to Shelburne, Lunenburg and Bridgewater on their trip to Nova Scotia and the Royal Yacht Britannia which was docked in Halifax Harbour.
It was on June 15 at The Hotel Nova Scotian in Halifax, today’s Westin Nova Scotian, that Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau hosted a state dinner for the Royal couple.
VIDEO: Princess Diana and Prince Charles Greeted by Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau at State Dinner in Halifax
The Royal couple would depart Halifax on the Royal yacht Britannia for Saint John, New Brunswick and journey on to other stops in Canada before returning to England on July 1.
