Symbols
Lieutenant Governor’s Standard
The Lieutenant Governor’s Standard is a blue flag with the Shield of the Arms of Manitoba at its centre, circled with 10 gold maple leaves and surmounted by a Crown which symbolizes the role of the Lieutenant Governor as The King’s representative in Manitoba. The symbol at the centre is also used by the Office of Lieutenant Governor on Her Honour’s stationery and other material.
The Vice-Regal Standard of the Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba was approved by the Governor General of Canada, acting in the name of The Queen, in 1981. A standard was adopted for all Lieutenant Governors and all are similar, except that the Shield in the centre is different in each case to portray the Arms of the respective province.
It is customary for the Standard to fly at all times at Government House, the official residence of the Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba. It is flown on the car in which Her Honour travels, and from flagpoles outside of buildings in which official visits and duties take place. It is also flown in the ballroom at Government House, as well as in the Blue Room where official ceremonies occur.
The Standard takes precedence over all other flags in Manitoba, including the Canadian flag with the exception of the King’s Personal Canadian Flag and the Governor General’s Flag. With the Lieutenant Governor being The King’s Representative, her flag has precedence over that of a member of the Royal Family, other than The King.
The Lieutenant Governor’s Standard is never lowered to half-mast but, on the death of a Vice-Regal representative while in office, it is taken down until a successor is installed.
Salutes & Guards of Honour
The Vice-Regal Salute accorded to the Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba is a musical greeting and mark of respect performed in the presence of The King’s representative. It consists of the first six bars of the Royal Anthem, “God Save The King”, followed by a short version (the first four bars and the last four bars) of the National Anthem,
“O Canada”.
It is played at the opening of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba, military march-pasts and other events attended by the Lieutenant Governor. Because it is a salute to the Lieutenant Governor, the audience does not sing either of the abbreviated anthems when the Vice-Regal Salute is played. It is played when Her Honour reaches the dias in the case of ceremonial functions and when she reaches her seat in the case of other events.
The Vice-Regal Salute was approved by Her Majesty The Queen in 1968. The same salute is used for the Governor General and for the Lieutenant Governors of the other nine provinces.
The Lieutenant Governor is entitled to a 15-gun Royal Salute on the occasion of the opening of the Legislative Assembly and when making an official visit to a military saluting base within Manitoba.
A Guard of Honour is accorded to the Lieutenant Governor on the occasion of the opening of the Legislative Assembly and may also be mounted on other occasions of provincial significance.
Vice-Regal Salute
Vice-Regal Badge
In January 1999, Queen Elizabeth the Second approved the creation of special badge to recognize persons holding viceregal office and their spouses.
The badge rests on a frame depicting the pointed ends of four stylized maple leaves in red and white enamel, representing the many faceted responsibilities and duties of viceregal office. The more naturalistic maple leaf in the centre represents the personal commitment required of incumbents and their spouses. The Crown surmounts the design, recalling service to the Canadian people and the Crown.
The badge measures approximately 1.5 inches and is struck in sterling silver and is gilded in gold.
The same badge is presented to the spouses of Lieutenant Governors, except that the central maple leaf is in silver instead of gold. Following retirement from office, individuals may continue to wear the badge. There is also a small lapel pin of the insignia.
Titles
From the time of Confederation, Lieutenant Governors have been granted the courtesy title “His Honour” or “Her Honour” while in office. The courtesy title was extended to the spouses of vice-regal representatives in 1985.
Additionally, since 1927, the title “The Honourable” has been given for life to Lieutenant Governors. Some earlier Lieutenant Governors had the title, but it was because of their membership in the Privy Council or as a former Senator.
List of past Lieutenant Governors of Manitoba.
Pronunciation of “Lieutenant”
In Canadian English, lieutenant is pronounced “Leftenant” (the first syllable as “left”). This pronunciation is regarded as standard and is typical throughout the Commonwealth.
While the variant “Lootenant” (first syllable as “loo”) is heard from time to time, it is regarded by many to be an Americanism and is discouraged.
