The present viceregal consort is
Whit Fraser, 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 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 (
Rideau Hall) and
Quebec City (
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.[citation needed]
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.[1]Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone, whose husband served as governor general during the
Second World War, 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, 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.[2][3][4]
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, held the title and performed the official duties of the chatelaine. Unlike a viceregal consort, however, Lilias Massey was not addressed as Her Excellency.[citation needed]
^Lauson's wife,
Mariede Lauson (née Gaudar), died in France prior to the former's appointment as governor.[7]
^
abThe couple was separated during the governor's tenure.
^
abcdefghiThe governor's wife did not accompany him.
^Massey's wife,
Alice Massey (née Parkin), died prior to the former's appointment as governor general; his daughter-in-law, Lilias Massey, acted as Chatelaine of Rideau Hall.
^Tousignant, Pierre; Wallot, Jean-Pierre (1983).
"Dunn, Thomas". In Halpenny, Francess G (ed.). Dictionary of Canadian Biography. Vol. V (1801–1820) (online ed.). University of Toronto Press.
^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