On the auspicious occasion of Queen Elizabeth’s 90th birthday Thursday, I have a very Canadian greeting for her:

Happy birthday, eh?

It’s a good time to reflect on the Queen’s many Canadian connections.

She’s visited this country more times than any other Commonwealth nation — 22 times, with the last visit in 2010.

I’ve covered several of those tours — including one in 1997, on the 500th anniversary of John Cabot’s voyage to Newfoundland.

What always strikes me is how well the Queen understands this country and Canadians. And while she’s slowed down over the last couple of years, she had a tireless energy on these often gruelling visits and an ability to rise above the political machinations of the time.

In Newfoundland, a handful of Mi’kmaq demonstrators turned up. The politicians all ignored them and pretended they weren’t there.

The Queen, understanding the high esteem in which First Nations leaders hold their treaties with her ancestors, went over and chatted with them.

The demonstration was averted. The protesters were charmed — and the tour continued on schedule.

In Ontario, the royal motorcade was delayed on a trek from Stratford to Brantford because in towns all along the highway, people had turned out dressed in their royal best, with fancy hats and long dresses, to wave her on. The Queen ordered the cars to slow down so they wouldn’t be disappointed.

Over the years, she’s built a strong bond with this country.

Without her, a major east-west highway would be a Highway With No Name. Instead it has a regal name — the Queen Elizabeth Way — even if traffic is royally screwed up on it most days.

The Queen’s favourite horse, a pure black mare named Burmese, was given to her by the RCMP in 1969.

Trained for the famed Musical Ride, the Queen was riding Burmese at the annual Trooping the Colour ceremony in London in 1981 when a man fired six blanks from a starter’s pistol. While Burmese was momentarily startled, the Queen was able to keep her under control — many believe because of the Mountie training. Other horses would have been spooked and thrown her. After Burmese died, the Queen stopped taking the Trooping of the Colour on horseback.

In other connections, the Queen’s eldest grandson, Peter Phillips, is married to a Canadian, Autumn, from Pointe Claire, Que.

Covering the Queen over many years, what’s apparent is her intense sense of duty. For those of you who believe the monarchy is irrelevant in this country in the 21st century, let me offer this:

I’ve seen grown men weep because the Queen offered them her thanks for their war service. I’ve seen crowds wait patiently in the hot sun for hours to tell her she’s an inspiration to them.

I’ve seen the gratitude in the eyes of parents who’ve lost children when she stops to talk. I’ve seen families who lost their homes in the fire in Slave Lake, Alta., smile their thanks to William and Kate for coming to visit.

I’ve seen a small child dying of cancer throw her arms around Kate in rapture — because a princess stopped to talk to her.

The Queen represents government — but is above the grubby partisan politics.

She’s spent a lifetime in service to this country.

So let’s raise a glass — or 90 — to her.

cblizzard@postmedia.com