Royal visits have always captivated the public imagination. We want to shed light on the special connection that Edward—first as the Prince of Wales, later as King Edward VIII, and finally as the Duke of Windsor after his abdication—had with Alberta. This bond was rooted not just in official duties but in a deep personal affinity, culminating in the purchase of his own ranch. Read on at calgaryes.
The Prince of Wales and the Spirit of Alberta
Following the end of the First World War, Edward, Prince of Wales, visited Alberta. He arrived in August 1919 and departed in October. His visit made a huge impression across the entire Dominion of Canada. Fred Griffin of the Toronto Star noted that after the war, people were searching for something “clean and honest,” yearning to find hope. It is worth recalling the atmosphere.
On September 14, the Prince of Wales stepped off the luxurious private railway car provided by Lord Shaughnessy for the royal tour, officially commencing his visit to Calgary. What did the Prince of Wales do next?
- He attended a service at the Anglican Pro-Cathedral Church of the Redeemer.
- An event was held in his honour at the Calgary Golf and Country Club.
- The Prince was the guest of honour at a garden party at Lougheed House, Sir James’ mansion, across from the Ranchmen’s Club at the corner of 13th Avenue and 7th Street SW. A huge crowd gathered, eager to cheer on the Prince. Local newspapers later reported that a string orchestra played in a marquee on the lawn while staff served tea to the distinguished guests. It is worth noting that the Ranchmen’s Club was Calgary’s most prestigious social club at the time, and only men could be members. Women gained that opportunity only after 1993.
- The following day, the Prince started his morning with a grand military parade on the Stampede grounds involving veterans, cadets, and boy scouts.
- This was followed by a Citizens’ Luncheon at the Palliser Hotel, which the Prince of Wales also attended. Afterward, he traveled by train south to High River.
Labour Tensions Under the Royal Spotlight
Upon the Prince of Wales’ arrival in Calgary, there was a palpable tension, and citizens were hopeful for assistance from the representative of the royal family, the future king. Calgary’s population at the time was approximately 60,000, and the city was experiencing its third major labour unrest. The causes included high inflation, exacerbated by the post-war economy, low wages, and poor working conditions. The public had reached its limit, eventually leading to the largest workers’ strike in Canadian history in Winnipeg.
Interestingly, the Prince of Wales and the Senator, during one event, were not discussing the plight of the Western Canadian working class but rather modern British and Imperial issues.
Edward VIII’s Own Ranch
It is well-known that the future king purchased a ranch in Alberta from Frank Bedingfeld during his royal tour in 1919. Bedingfeld founded the ranch in 1886, and under his guidance, it had become a successful model for breeding livestock.
He named it the EP Ranch (Edward Prince Ranch). The ranch raised cattle, sheep, and horses, which were imported from the Duchy of Cornwall in the United Kingdom—a two-month journey across Canada. At the time, the Prince of Wales could not constantly manage the ranch’s affairs due to his royal duties, but he maintained contact and entrusted its management to reliable representatives.
Edward VIII’s father, King George V, disapproved of this venture. He was concerned that his son had become a property owner in Canada. Such an action by the future king might be interpreted by other Dominions as a precedent for the Prince purchasing land during future tours.
In 1923, Edward VIII visited his ranch in Alberta, calling on many major cities and towns over the subsequent seven weeks.
Despite his father’s displeasure, Edward VIII retained ownership until 1962. He visited his EP Ranch during Canadian tours both as the Prince of Wales and after his abdication in 1936.
The Abdication Crisis
When discussing the life of Edward VIII, one must pause at his abdication, which occurred on January 20, 1936. The reason he chose to renounce the throne of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Empire, and Emperor of India, was his desire to marry the divorced American, Wallis Simpson. She was divorced from her first husband and was in the process of divorcing her second. This caused a constitutional crisis across the British Empire, as religious, legal, political, and moral objections were raised.
After his abdication, Edward VIII was succeeded by his brother Albert, who became George VI. Edward, in turn, received the title Duke of Windsor and His Royal Highness following his renunciation. The very next year, he married Wallis Simpson. The couple remained together for 35 years until Edward VIII’s death. This story has inspired filmmakers to create a number of famous films and series, including Edward and Mrs. Simpson (a 1978 television miniseries), The King’s Speech (2010), and W.E. (2011). The well-known historical series The Crown dedicates several episodes in its early seasons to the relationship between Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson.
The Duke and Duchess of Windsor in Alberta
Edward VIII continued to maintain a personal interest in the ranch throughout his ownership. After his abdication, he and his wife, the Duchess of Windsor, visited the ranch in the 1940s and 1950s, as documented by the Alberta Culture and Community Spirit, Historic Resources Management Division, Edmonton.
According to some sources, the Duchess of Windsor did not much enjoy the 1940s visits. She found the ranch cold, although she did discuss the possibility of renovations. The couple’s visit in the 1950s was brief, marked by cold, snowy weather.
For the Duke of Windsor, the ranch visits were special; he enjoyed the relaxation and reconnecting with old friends among the local ranchers. Interestingly, archival British Pathé newsreel footage survives, documenting the Duke and Duchess of Windsor’s arrival by train at Aldersyde station in 1950 and their stay at the ranch. At that time, the Duke was asked about selling the ranch, as rumours circulated. He strongly emphasized that this was untrue, as he held a deep attachment to the land.
The royal couple’s visits were conducted under the protection of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). Their time in Alberta allowed them to take a break from the intense scrutiny of European society, spending time in a more informal atmosphere.
The Fate of Edward VIII’s Alberta Ranch
In 1962, the Duke of Windsor (King Edward VIII’s title after his abdication) sold the ranch, which then passed to other private owners. The ranch covers an area of 41 hectares and is located near Pekisko Creek in the rural foothills of Alberta.
The site included a 1927 addition to the ranch house, built for the Prince of Wales (later His Majesty King Edward VIII). The property also housed residential and agricultural buildings, and structures made of logs and timber frames dating back to the late 1880s. Photographs provided by the Glenbow Museum show formal and irrigated working gardens, forest roads, and shelterbelts. Archaeological remnants of structures from the early homestead era were later discovered.
The EP Ranch (Edward Prince Ranch) was officially recognized on February 10, 2004, under the Historical Resources Act.
Thus, during his visits to Alberta, the Duke of Windsor experienced the true spirit of Canada, fostering a personal attachment to Alberta that went beyond the rigid constraints of royal protocol.