Lt.-Gov. Bernadette McIntyre shakes hands with King Charles III during a private audience at Buckingham Palace on May 14, 2025. McIntyre presented the monarch with Saskatchewan-made gifts, including mustard, lentils, and wool scarves. (Photo courtesy: Office of the Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan )

By Kenneth Cheung

KING CHARLES III

Wool, mustard and pulse crops: Sask. lieutenant-governor highlights prairie identity in royal audience

May 15, 2025 | 5:03 PM

Saskatchewan’s lieutenant-governor says meeting King Charles III during a private audience at Buckingham Palace was “quite amazing.”

“It was a little overwhelming, but His Majesty was very gracious and very friendly,” said Lt.-Gov. Bernadette McIntyre, who met with the King on May 14 as part of a tradition for newly appointed vice-regal representatives.

McIntyre, sworn in as Saskatchewan’s 24th lieutenant-governor in January, brought gifts that reflect the province’s agricultural roots — including lentil and chickpea snacks from Three Farmers in Saskatoon and a jar of savoury dill pickle mustard from Gravelbourg.

“First, I grew up on a farm so I have an agricultural background, plus agriculture is the major, major industry in Saskatchewan, so it’s very representative,” she said.

Knowing the King receives many gifts that often end up displayed or archived, she suggested, “we take something that was consumable.”

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“Mustard’s my favourite condiment and Gravelbourg mustard is excellent, so we thought we’d take some Gravelbourg mustard.”

Lentil and chickpea snacks from Three Farmers in Saskatoon and a jar of savoury dill pickle mustard from Gravelbourg. (Photo courtesy: Office of the Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan )

She also presented the King with two hand-knit wool scarves, crafted using Saskatchewan-raised and milled wool.

“Karen and Howard Smith are where the wolf came from and Mariette Anderson from Gravelbourg knit these two beautiful scarves. So we were able to show those to the King and they’re beautifully soft and wonderful,” McIntyre said, hoping he and Queen Consort Camilla would be able to wear it one day.

“He was very pleased. He thought they were very unique gifts and really appreciated the wool products because that is really a passion of his.”

The King, who launched the Campaign for Wool in 2010 while still Prince of Wales, continues to serve as its patron in several Commonwealth countries.

Mariette Anderson, left , Lt.-Gov. Bernadette McIntyre, centre, and Karen Smith holding the wool scarf that was knit as a gift for Queen Consort Camilla in the blue shade she so often wears. (Photo courtesy: Office of the Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan )

Mariette Anderson, left, Lt.-Gov. Bernadette McIntyre, centre, and Karen Smith hold the Saskatchewan-made green wool scarf that was gifted to King Charles III during McIntyre’s private audience at Buckingham Palace on May 14, 2025. The scarf was knit by Anderson using wool processed at the Canadian Fibre Mill, operated by Smith near Caron, Sask. (Photo courtesy: Office of the Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan )

As a curler herself, McIntyre also spoke to him about curling.

“Of course I congratulated Great Britain for winning the World Curling Championship in Moose Jaw just a few weeks ago,” she said.

“We had a discussion [about] there’s a lot of wonderful things from Saskatchewan.”

McIntyre said the King mentioned his plans to open Parliament and deliver the speech from the throne during an upcoming visit to Canada.

“He’s a very strong supporter of Canada and believes in Canadian sovereignty and Canada being part of the Commonwealth,” she said.

On May 2, Gov. Gen. Mary Simon announced that the King and Queen Camilla had accepted the federal government’s invitation to visit Canada on May 26 and 27. The King will attend the State Opening of Parliament in Ottawa — the first monarch to do so since Queen Elizabeth II in 1977.

As many younger Canadians may not fully understand the role of the lieutenant-governor, McIntyre said it remains a key part of Canada’s constitutional system.

“Laws are not laws unless they are assigned by the lieutenant governor and a number of other government businesses. The lieutenant governor is the last check and balance in the system.”

As the King’s representative in the province, she said her duties include approving legislation and carrying out ceremonial responsibilities. While elected governments make decisions, the lieutenant-governor helps uphold the traditions that distinguish Canada from republics like the United States.

(Photo courtesty: Office of the Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan )

While this was McIntyre’s first meeting with King Charles, he has previously visited Saskatchewan twice — once in 2001 and again in 2012 as Prince of Wales. His past visits included stops in Regina, Moose Jaw and Saskatoon.

As she continues her visit in the U.K., McIntyre has attended meetings at Canada House and plans to visit the Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership office before heading to Liverpool to visit family.

“It’s an amazing experience to be in Buckingham Palace and meet the King of Canada in his home and just how down to earth and friendly he is,” she said.

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Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com