Medal - George VI Royal Visit; gold, 54mm

THE HISTORICALLY IMPORTANT 'BUCHAN' ROYAL VISIT GOLD MEDAL
Royal Visit to Canada, May - June 1939, Large Gold Medal, Presented to 15th Governor General of Canada, The Right Honourable John Buchan, 1st Baron Tweedsmuir GCMG GCVO CH PC DL (2 November 1935 - 11 February 1940), by P Metcalfe for the Royal Canadian Mint, edge plain (unhallmarked), 54mm., 131.50g, 12h, choice, FDC, of the highest rarity in this size and metal, and of national significance, charting the first visit by a reigning British monarch to Canada at the direct request of this very medal's recipient who gained further fame by penning the spy thriller Thirty Nine Steps
In 1939 with war looming the King and Queen made a state visit to Canada spending a month touring the nation form coast to coast. This was the first time a reigning Canadian Monarch had set foot in Canada and arguably the most successful royal tour in Canadian history. This included the first Royal "walkabout" which arose spontaneously when the royal couple mingled with 25,000 First World War veterans in Ottawa.
The timing of this visit was critical in renewing ties between Britain and Canada helping to ensure support for joining Britain in the war effort. The separation of British and Canadian foreign policy meant that Canada did not automatically declare war along with Great Britain. However, on 10 September 1939 the Canadian Prime Minister, Mackenzie King, advised George VI to declare war on Germany in his capacity as King of Canada - just one week after the United Kingdom made its declaration.