MEDIA
News Release
For Immediate Release
April 25, 2023
MONCTON - Her Royal Highness (HRH) The Princess Royal, Princess Anne, has confirmed her presence at the 8th Canadian Hussars 175th anniversary celebration being held in Moncton and Sussex, New Brunswick between May 18th and May 21st.
“The 8th Canadian Hussars (Princess Louise’s) is Canada’s oldest continuously serving armoured regiment,” says anniversary organizer and Honorary Colonel James Lockyer. “The Regiment’s 175th anniversary is an amazing milestone and something New Brunswick, from where we draw our recruits, should be extremely proud.”
As part of a working visit, HRH, The Princess Royal, will participate in a number of the events being planned for the celebratory weekend. She will meet soldiers and veterans of the storied armoured reserve unit and will take part in the 8th Hussars 175th Commemorative Concert featuring the New Brunswick Youth Orchestra on May 19th. HRH will attend a gala evening on May 20th in Moncton, New Brunswick and Regimental and civic events in Sussex, on Sunday May 21st before returning to London.
HRH The Princess Royal will visit New Brunswick in her capacity as Colonel-in-chief of the 8th Canadian Hussars (Princess Louise’s), a role she has held since 1972. The Regiment will be celebrating the Princess Royal’s 50th year as the Colonel-in-Chief of the 8th Hussars. She has visited the Regiment on many occasions including her visit in 1998 to help the Regiment celebrate their 150th birthday celebration in Moncton, NB, and a visit in 1992 when the regiment was serving in the Canadian Brigade in Germany.
2023 marks the 175th anniversary of the 8th Canadian Hussars. On April 4, 1848, 11 troops of cavalry from Southern New Brunswick were brought together to form the New Brunswick Regiment of Yeomanry Calvary. After 1848, the threat of American expansionist ideology was to be met by the 8th Hussars. A Regiment that remains active today.
This outstanding and tremendous history will be celebrated in the place where it all began. The 175th anniversary will take place in Moncton and Sussex - May 18-21, 2023, with a special Homecoming Weekend.
The anniversary weekend would not be possible without the significant generosity of the event contributors including:
Donors
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The Irving Group of Companies
Medavie
Atlantic Lottery
Assomption Vie
Lounsbury Group of Companies
Portfolio Solutions Group
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Funders
Government of Canada
Province of New Brunswick
City of Moncton
Town of Sussex
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QUOTES
‘’The 8th Canadian Hussars has a long and distinguished history, and the Government of Canada is honoured to welcome The Princess Royal, Princess Anne, in Moncton and Sussex to celebrate its 175th anniversary. Over the years, the Regiment has played a key role in supporting the men and women in uniform defending Canada’s values around the world. I would like to wish everyone an amazing celebration, as we mark this important milestone.’’
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- Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Official Languages and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, Member of Parliament for Moncton—Riverview—Dieppe
“Fostering an appreciation of New Brunswick’s heritage and history is part of my department’s mandate, and the 8th Canadian Hussars have earned great respect and recognition over the past 175 years,” said Tourism, Heritage and Culture Minister Tammy Scott-Wallace. “To have a member of the Royal Family – and the Colonel-in-Chief of our country’s oldest continuously serving armoured regiment – here in our province will be a tremendous honour, and something of which all New Brunswickers can be proud.”
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- Tammy Scott-Wallace, Minister of Tourism, Heritage and Culture
“We are honoured to welcome Her Royal Highness, the Princess Royal to Moncton as we celebrate the many contributions of the 8th Canadian Hussars over its 175-year history,” says Moncton Mayor Dawn Arnold. “The regiment has a longstanding connection with Moncton and continues to provide opportunities for local residents to train and serve as army reservists. We look forward to commemorating this significant anniversary with them.”
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- Dawn Arnold, Mayor of Moncton
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COMMEMORATIVE CONCERT
On May 19, the world-renowned New Brunswick Youth Orchestra, led by its Conductor and Music Director, Antonio Delgado will perform a commemorative concert in honour of the 8th Canadian Hussar (Princess Louise’s) 175th anniversary.
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Some tickets will be made available to the public beginning May 8, 2023.
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The Homecoming Events will include a number of military related events. The Department of National Defense will be issuing their own schedule prior to the commemorative weekend.
Notes to editors/ news directors:
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Please note that HRH The Princess Royal will not be available for interviews
In addition to events listed above with the VIII Hussars, The Princess Royal, as Honorary Deputy Commissioner of the RCMP, will visit J Division RCMP, present Platinum Jubilee medals of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth, and lay a wreath at the RCMP Memorial Moncton.
Her Royal Highness will also be invested with the Canadian Order of Military Merit [Commander] by the Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick on behalf of the Governor General.
For further information: MEDIA CONTACT: Mike Randall (506) 878-3025, mike@weareportfolio.com