When Queen Victoria named New Westminster in 1859 after her dearest location in London, this first capital city of BC was dubbed 'the Royal City'. Although it was dethroned in 1868, New Westminster retains its imperial title, largely due to its stately Victorian and Edwardian heritage buildings, regal views of the surrounding mountains and majestic hillside location within the Great Vancouver region. Visitors can survey these sites from the Fraser River onboard the noble Paddlewheeler Riverboat. New Westminster has the distinction of being the oldest city in Western Canada, and its crowning glory is the annual Hyack Festival in May, the parade-one of B.C.'s largest-being the diamond in the festival's crown. Visitors can also find a treasure trove of items year round at the Westminster Quay Public Market. New Westminster's splendid location in the centre of the Lower Mainland allows for quick and easy access to Vancouver via the Skytrain, a light rapid public transit system.