Queen Elizabeth II’s visits to UBC: Photos from 1951 to 2002

An era has come to an end. 

On September 8, 2022, UBC mourned the passing of Queen Elizabeth II — flags on campus were lowered to half-staff to recognize her service as Queen of Canada and Head of State. The university also observed September 19 as a national day of mourning at the Vancouver and Okanagan campuses, and related sites.  

Before her ascension to the throne in 1952 and after her coronation in 1953, she and Prince Philip visited the Point Grey campus in Vancouver four times.

Her first visit was on October 20, 1951, when then–Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh attended a ceremony at a football game at Thunderbird Stadium.

Then in July 1959, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip opened the new Faculty Club, replacing a previous structure that opened at the north end of Main Mall in 1947. 

Upon a return visit in 1983, the royal couple toured the Museum of Anthropology, the Asian Centre, and the Health Sciences Centre Hospital.

In October 2002, the royal couple made their final visit where they were entertained by over 600 performers from 12 arts groups. The Queen unveiled a bronze book (on permanent display in the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre) commemorating her visit as part of the Royal Jubilee celebrations.

View archival photos from her visits in the photo galleries below.