1939 royal tour of Canada
King George VI and Queen Elizabeth made their visit to Canada from 17 May to 15 June 1939. Taking place in the months leading up to the Second World War, the tour was undertaken to strengthen trans-Atlantic support for the United Kingdom in anticipation of a potential war while also showcasing Canada's status as an independent kingdom of the British Empire.
The King and Queen arrived in Canada by ship, and travelled up the St. Lawrence River to Quebec City before heading west by rail. Accompanied throughout by Canadian Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King, they visited most major cities across Canada, reaching as far west as Victoria, British Columbia. On their return journey east, they briefly travelled to the United States for a state visit and a meeting with President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The royal tour concluded with visits to the Maritimes, after which they departed from Halifax for a tour of the then separate Dominion of Newfoundland.
Although royal family members have previously toured Canada, the 1939 royal tour marked the first time a reigning monarch of Canada visited North America, garnering significant attention from both the public and the media.