25 Apr Who was Princess Louisa?

There is more than one suggestion for the origin of the name Princess Louisa Inlet. The most credible and frequently repeated conjectures all originate with the British Royal Family.

I favour the suggestion that the name honours Princess Louise, daughter of Queen Victoria. Local
mountains surrounding Queen’s Reach bear the names of Victoria’s other children. It makes sense that
there also be an honorific for Louise. Moreover, as it turns out Louise was christened Louisa. Her full
names were Louisa Caroline Alberta.

Sometimes I joke that the name is a revered Canadian way to refer to Louise. We seem to have a pattern
of adding “ eh” to the end of words. You know … Princess Louise(eh).

It makes most sense that James Crease, a land surveyor named Princess Louisa Inlet. As an agent for the
British Government Crease surveyed large parts of British Columbia. He was politically active and a
strong proponent of the development of British Columbia.

Louisa was the sixth child and fourth daughter of Queen Victoria and Albert, Prince Consort. Born in
1848 Louise lived until 1939. Her connection to Canada was strong. She was vice regal consort, wife of
the Canadian Governor General 1878 to 1884.

Louise was a strong feminist. Along with promotion of women’s rights, she advocated for higher
education. Louise was a patron of the arts and a recognized artist in her own right. She is remembered
as a beautiful, caring woman.

Louise was intelligent, capable and philanthropic. Her memory is preserved in many Canadian place
names including Princess Louise Falls in Ontario, the Province of Alberta, Lake Louise and, if you choose
to accept it, our favourite, Princess Louisa Inlet.