We are deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Her Majesty the Queen and our thoughts are with the Royal Family at this time. In honour of the State Funeral, IWA’s office at Island House will be closed on Monday 19th September.
Her Majesty the Queen’s unwavering service and commitment over the past 70 years to our country and the Commonwealth will be long remembered.
Many in the waterways community will have fond memories of her unveiling the Kelpies in Scotland as recently as 2017. During the official opening, she also unveiled the Forth and Clyde Extension – the Queen Elizabeth II Canal – which is a new section linking the existing navigation to the Firth of Forth.
This wasn’t the Queen’s first involvement with the waterways however, as she attended many other events including:
1977 – The Queen celebrated her Silver Jubilee with a pageant on the River Thames in London
1979 – The Queen visited the Boat Museum at Ellesmere Port and unveiled a plaque
1986 – The Queen opened the Stoke-on-Trent Garden Festival on board Narrowboat Cactus
1990 – The Queen opened the restored Kennet & Avon Canal
2002 – The Queen opened the Falkirk Wheel linking the Forth & Clyde Canal to the Edinburgh & Glasgow Union Canal
2012 – The Queen took part in the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant for her Diamond Jubilee
2017 – The Queen unveiled the Kelpies in Scotland
2017 – The Queen also opened the Queen Elizabeth II Canal, a new section which links the Forth & Clyde Canal and the Firth of Forth
