Royal Couple Off To Canada -- The Floodlights playing on the huge Canopus. In their glare the Queen, Followed by Princess Margaret, is seen walking down the Gangway. The goodbyes have been said. and a few minutes after this picture was taken the Royal Plane Took off. Scenes at London Airport last night when Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh were boarding the Strato-Cruiser Canopus for their 3,400-mile flight to Canada. October 08, 1951. (Photo by Paul Popper).