The Bomber Command Museum of Canada's 30th birthday bash last week had one surprise visitor.

The new British Consul-General for Calgary and Southern Alberta, Caroline Saunders and her Family were at the event in Nanton, with Saunders speaking to the crowd on behalf of the British Government.

She says she wouldn't have been there, if it wasn't for a lucky day trip, and her husband's keen eye.

"We were driving down to see Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump, and as we were passing through Nanton, my husband says "Oh my God, there's a Lancaster!" And he's very keen on World War II memorabilia and aircraft. So we pulled over and it was the Bomber Command Museum of Canada. So, an amazing find, only an hours drive from Calgary."

She says she was sure the volunteers at the museum didn't recognize her, and once she let them know who she was they couldn't invite her down to speak fast enough.

Saunders says even though times have changed the ties between Britain and Canada are as strong now as they've ever been.

"We like to describe it as friends, partners and allies. It's a very rich relationship that works at many different levels. And of course, we are family, we share the head of state with the Queen and that's a very special bond."

Saunders has been in Canada for just a few months, while her husband and daughter arrived about three weeks ago.

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