Who laid the cornerstone of the Parliament Buildings in 1860?

The cornerstone of the Parliament Buildings in Ottawa was laid by the Prince of Wales in 1860. This event was significant not only for its architectural implications but also for its representation of the growing political importance of Canada during a time when it was still a collection of provinces under British rule. The presence of the Prince of Wales, who later became King Edward VII, underscored the connection between the British monarchy and the Canadian government, symbolizing the constitutional ties that were being established as Canada approached Confederation in 1867. The ceremonial laying of the cornerstone marked the beginning of the construction of a crucial national landmark, which would serve as the center of Canadian political life.