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“I always tell her that she needed a fanfare, so now she’s got one and she’s going to do a terrific job.”

In 2012, Mitchell was made a member of the Order of Canada. In a statement, Harper called her an “exceptional Canadian.”

“I am confident she will make an important contribution to Alberta’s future,” he said.

Mitchell will likely be installed as lieutenant-governor in the next few weeks. Ethell will preside over the swearing-in of new premier Rachel Notley and her NDP cabinet on Sunday, according to his office.

Depending on timing, one of Mitchell’s first tasks may be delivering the first speech from the throne from the NDP government on June 15.

Speaking to reporters in Edmonton, Notley congratulated Mitchell on her appointment.

“I very much looking forward to working with her,” said the premier-designate.

On Twitter, Gov. Gen. David Johnston posted a photo of himself with Mitchell as he offered congratulations.

Mitchell is married to Doug Mitchell, a prominent Calgary lawyer and businessman who was formerly the commissioner of the Canadian Football League.

Clark Grue, a founder and partner with Mitchell at Rainmaker, said that when he began working at the British Consulate in Calgary in the late ’90s he was told by his boss that the Mitchells were one of two couples in Calgary “you have to know.”

“Everybody has their stories to tell about the Mitchells because they seem to be everywhere,” he said.

“They seem to always be supporting an event or a charity or a business function.”