It was pointed out today by Francis Bouchard that her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II is celebreating 60 years as the British Monarch.

With that in mind, we thought we'd recall her Habs connection that dates back before she became Queen.

Francis was able to find a clip of the Princess Elizabeth and husband Prince Phillip's visit to Montreal on October 29, 1951. The Royal Couple took in the Canadiens and Rangers that evening, with the Habs winning 5-1

The film footage of the game itself starts around the 3:25 mark of this link. Her Royal Highness seems less than interested in the clip, but the Montreal Gazette story the following morning notes she became more interested as the game progressed.

Both observed parts of a Leafs game a week prior, and Prince Phillip, who watched the occasional game in England, was highly entertained by the game action no matter who scored. When a certain Canadiens right winger scored two goals, that sent roaring waves of cheers through the crowd, the Prince had to ask who it was.

Floyd Curry felt no pressure playing before the royals, tallying the other three Caandiens goals for his only career hat trick.

Habs captain Emile Bouchard and captain Rangers Frank Eddolls are the two players seen greeting the princess in the clip.