The only royal birth to happen in Canada took place during World War II. The Netherland's Princess Margriet was born in Ottawa's Civic Hospital. To ensure her ability to succeed to the Dutch throne, what was the maternity suite declared?

zbeckabee

Princess Margriet was born in Ottawa at the Civic Hospital, where the delivery room was temporarily declared Dutch soil to ensure that the Princess was born in the Netherlands. To this day, Holland sends tulips to Ottawa to commemorate the assistance Canada gave to Holland. http://www.gg.ca/gg/fgg/bios/01/athlone_e.asp Jan 18 08, 4:34 AM

nana02

“Extraterritorial” Princess Juliana’s suite at the Ottawa Civic Hospital “extraterritorial” (or Dutch territory). On January 19, 1943. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_history_of_Canada_during_the_Second_World_War The royal family of The Netherlands eventually moved to Ottawa until The Netherlands were liberated, and Princess Margriet was born during this Canadian exile. In 1944-45, First Canadian Army was responsible for liberating much of The Netherlands from German occupation. The late Queen Juliana of the Netherlands, the only child of then Queen Wilhelmina and heir to the throne, sought refuge in Canada with her two daughters, Beatrix and Irene, during the war. During Princess Juliana’s stay in Canada, preparations were made for the birth of her third child. To ensure the Dutch citizenship of this royal baby, Canadian Parliament passed a special law declaring Princess Juliana’s suite at the Ottawa Civic Hospital “extraterritorial” (or Dutch territory). On January 19, 1943, Princess Margriet was born. The day after Princess Margriet’s birth, the Dutch flag was flown on the Peace Tower. This was the only time a foreign flag has waved atop Canada’s Parliament Buildings. [Added reference - McG] Jan 18 08, 4:42 AM