The viceregal consort of Canada is the spouse of the serving
governor general of Canada
The governor general of Canada (french: gouverneure générale du Canada) is the federal viceregal representative of the . The is head of state of Canada and the 14 other Commonwealth realms, but resides in oldest and most populous realm ...
, assisting the
viceroy
A viceroy () is an official who reigns over a polity in the name of and as the representative of the monarch of the territory. The term derives from the Latin prefix ''vice-'', meaning "in the place of" and the French word ''roy'', meaning " ...
with ceremonial and charitable work, accompanying him or her to official state occasions, and occasionally undertaking philanthropic work of their own. As the host/hostess of the royal and viceroyal residence in
Ottawa
Ottawa (, ; Canadian French: ) is the capital city of Canada. It is located at the confluence of the Ottawa River and the Rideau River in the southern portion of the province of Ontario. Ottawa borders Gatineau, Quebec, and forms the c ...
, the consort, if female, is also known as the ''
chatelaine
Chatelaine may refer to:
* Chatelaine (chain), a set of short chains on a belt worn by women and men for carrying keys, thimble and/or sewing kit, etc.
* Chatelaine (horse), a racehorse
* ''Chatelaine'' (magazine), an English-language Canadian wo ...
of
Rideau Hall
Rideau Hall (officially Government House) is the official residence in Ottawa of both the Canadian monarch and their representative, the governor general of Canada. It stands in Canada's capital on a estate at 1 Sussex Drive, with the main bu ...
''. This individual, who ranks third in the
Canadian order of precedence, after the
Canadian monarch and the governor general, is addressed as
''His'' or ''Her Excellency'' while their spouse is in office, and is made ''ex officio'' an Extraordinary Companion (french: Compagnon Extraordinaire) of the
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada (french: Ordre du Canada; abbreviated as OC) is a Canadian state order and the second-highest honour for merit in the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, after the Order of Merit.
To coincide with the cen ...
and a Knight or Dame of Justice of the
.
The present viceregal consort is
Whit Fraser
Whit Grant Fraser (born November 26, 1942) is a Canadian journalist, broadcaster, and author who is the current viceregal consort of Canada.
Background
Born in Merigomish, Nova Scotia, and educated in Stellarton, Fraser began his career in ...
, the husband of Governor General
Mary Simon, who took office on July 26, 2021.
Role
The position of the viceregal consort carries no official duties and receives no salary. However, consorts have held and do hold a prominent and visible position in the Canadian affairs of state, taking part in official occasions, such as the
speech from the throne and
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada (french: Ordre du Canada; abbreviated as OC) is a Canadian state order and the second-highest honour for merit in the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, after the Order of Merit.
To coincide with the cen ...
investitures, and national celebrations, such as
Canada Day events on
Parliament Hill, as well as both welcoming foreign dignitaries to Canada and accompanying the governor general on
state visits abroad. These practices evolved from the original role as the hostess of the royal and viceroyal residences in
Ottawa
Ottawa (, ; Canadian French: ) is the capital city of Canada. It is located at the confluence of the Ottawa River and the Rideau River in the southern portion of the province of Ontario. Ottawa borders Gatineau, Quebec, and forms the c ...
(
Rideau Hall
Rideau Hall (officially Government House) is the official residence in Ottawa of both the Canadian monarch and their representative, the governor general of Canada. It stands in Canada's capital on a estate at 1 Sussex Drive, with the main bu ...
) and
Quebec City
Quebec City ( or ; french: Ville de Québec), officially Québec (), is the capital city of the Canadian province of Quebec. As of July 2021, the city had a population of 549,459, and the metropolitan area had a population of 839,311. It is t ...
(
La Citadelle), a tradition maintained only by female viceregal consorts, who oversee the planning of ceremonies and functions of state that take place at either of the official residences.
Over the course of the 20th century, it became increasingly common for viceregal consorts to select and pursue on their own initiative various charitable projects.
Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone, whose husband served as governor general during the
Second World War
World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposi ...
, volunteered her time to the war effort in Canada, especially women's organisations such as the
Royal Canadian Air Force Women's Division. The activities chosen are typically apolitical and non-divisive. However, some consorts have stirred controversy through their work;
Jean-Daniel Lafond
Jean-Daniel Lafond (born 18 August 1944) is a French-born Canadian filmmaker, teacher of philosophy, and the husband to the former Governor General Michaëlle Jean, making him the Viceregal Consort of Canada during her service.
Biography
Lafo ...
, who promoted Canadian art—film in particular—and involved himself in the
Francophone community, made
a documentary while viceregal consort that attracted criticism from the ''
National Post'' that Lafond had shown strong
anti-Americanism and had been sympathetic to an admitted assassin.
Only once has the title of Chatelaine of Rideau Hall been held by someone who was not the spouse of the governor general—as
Vincent Massey was a
widower, his daughter-in-law,
Lilias Massey
Lilias Evva Massey (formerly Van Buskirk; ;"Mrs. Lionel Massey Leads Busy Social Life". ''Ottawa Citizen'', May 14, 1954. 1918 – January 19, 1997) was a Canadian dignitary, who served as châtelaine of Rideau Hall during her father-in-law Vincen ...
, held the title and performed the official duties of the chatelaine. Unlike a viceregal consort, however, Lilias Massey was not addressed as ''Her Excellency''.
List of viceregal consorts
Viceregal consorts of New France, 1627–1760
Viceregal consorts of British North America, 1760–1867
Viceregal consorts of Canada, 1867–present
Canadian institutions established by viceregal consorts
*
Lady Stanley Institute for Trained Nurses – The Countess of Derby
* Ottawa Maternity Hospital –
The Marchioness of Aberdeen
*
Victorian Order of Nurses
The Victorian Order of Nurses (VON) has been leading home and community care in Canada for over a century. Today, VON provides home and community support services to over 10,000 people every day across Ontario and Nova Scotia. It is registered as a ...
– The Marchioness of Aberdeen
[Unless noted otherwise, source for information in this section is found in: Hubbard, R.H.; ''Rideau Hall''; McGill-Queen’s University Press; Montreal and London; 1977]
*
Lady Minto Hospital –
The Countess of Minto
See also
*
List of royal consorts of Canada
*
King consort
*
Queen consort
Notes
References
{{Governor General of Canada
*
Lists of Canadian people
Canada
Canada is a country in North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, covering over , making it the world's second-largest country by to ...