Prince Charles said he was "deeply touched" by the warm welcome afforded him and
the Duchess of Cornwall on Monday as the royal couple began their first trip to
Canada together.
Charles, who arrived with Camilla at
a welcoming ceremony in St. John's, said he was eager to meet Canadians as he
starts his 11-day tour of the country.
"I cannot tell you how delighted I am
to have this opportunity to pay, I can hardly believe, my 15th visit to these
shores, and that is by any measure something rather special," Charles said at
the ceremony at Mile One Centre.
"But more special still, if I may say
so, is the opportunity to introduce my wife to Canada for her first-ever visit."
Charles also recognized the Canadian
military for "serving with the greatest possible distinction in Afghanistan."
"In all cases, Canadians are bringing
the light of freedom and justice to the darker corners of the world," he said.
"I need hardly say, therefore, how
much my heart goes out to the family of Pte. Steven Marshall, who was killed in
action only last week and who will make his final journey home to Canada
tomorrow, taking his place among those who have made the ultimate sacrifice."
Prime Minister Stephen Harper greeted
the couple, saying many Canadians were keenly anticipating their arrival.
"Given our long attachment to the
royal family, these visits have always been regarded as homecomings by many
Canadians," Harper said.
"Our home is your home."
Harper also wished Charles and
Camilla well in their travels throughout the country.
Newfoundland and Labrador Premier
Danny Williams said it was fitting that the couple would launch their trip in
his province.
"Given your great love of the arts, I
can think of no better place for your Royal Highnesses to begin your Canadian
journey," Williams said.
Charles and Camilla arrived earlier
in the day at the St. John's International Airport in clear, cold weather and
under a full moon rising.
They came down the stairs of an
Airbus separately, with Charles leading the way, and were greeted by national
and provincial politicians as Camilla leaned down to receive a bouquet of
flowers from a little girl.
The motorcade sped off almost
immediately to take the couple to Mile One Centre, where they were officially
greeted by Harper, Williams, Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean and provincial Lt.-Gov.
John Crosbie.
There was also a gun salute atop
Signal Hill to recognize their arrival.
It's the 15th time Charles has toured
Canada, but the first time with his wife Camilla by his side.
Charles and Camilla will be in the
province until Wednesday.
They will also be making stops in
Ontario, British Columbia and Quebec.
They will wind up their visit Nov. 12
in Ottawa.
Charles was last in Canada in 2001
when he spent six days touring Ontario, Saskatchewan and the Yukon.
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Itinerary for the Prince of Wales and
the Duchess of Cornwall on tour of Canada
The Prince of Wales and the Duchess
of Cornwall began an 11-day royal tour of Canada on Monday. Here's the itinerary
for the rest of their trip:
Newfoundland and Labrador:
Nov. 3 - Morning visit to Cupids,
N.L., to celebrate its 400th anniversary in 2010; afternoon visit to Brigus,
N.L., including the home of Arctic explorer Capt. Bob Bartlett; opening of new
housing project in St. John's; late afternoon visit to Marine Institute at
Memorial University; evening reception hosted by Williams at The Rooms
(Provincial Archives, Art Gallery and Museum).
Nov. 4 - Morning tree planting at
Government House in St. John's, N.L., with Lt.-Gov. John Crosbie; wreath-laying
at National War Memorial; meeting with volunteers at the Association for New
Canadians.
Ontario:
Nov. 4 - Afternoon arrival at
Toronto's Pearson International Airport and meeting with Premier Dalton
McGuinty; Prince Charles meets members of Canadian Business for Social
Responsibility; Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, visits the Royal Conservatory of
Music at the University of Toronto.
Nov. 5 - Morning visit to Dundern
Castle in Hamilton, Ont.; visit to national historic site HMCS Haida; tour of
Niagara College Teaching Winery in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont.; presentation of
new colours to the Royal Regiment of Canada and the Toronto Scottish Regiment at
Varsity Stadium in Toronto.
Nov. 6 - Morning opening and tour of
the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto; Prince Charles visits the
Evergreen Brick Works in Toronto.
British Columbia:
Nov. 6 - Afternoon arrival at
Victoria International Airport; greetings by Premier Gordon Campbell at the
legislature and public walkabout.
Nov. 7 - Morning tour of Vancouver
Olympic and Paralympic Village; Charles has afternoon meeting in Vancouver with
Canadian Youth Business Foundation, visit to cancer care clinic Inspire Health
and seminar on sustainable development at Simon Fraser University; Camilla
visits VanDusen Botanical Garden, followed by visit to Osteoporosis Mobility
Unit; evening reception in Victoria hosted by Lt.-Gov. Steven Point.
Nov. 8 - Morning church service at
Christ Church Cathedral, Victoria; private program for remainder of day.
Nov. 9 - Morning inspection of Guard
of Honour at CFB Esquimalt, raising of centennial banner and sailpast.
Eastern Ontario-Quebec:
Nov. 9 - Evening arrival at Canada
Reception Centre, Ottawa International Airport.
Nov. 10 - Morning meetings with Jean,
Harper and Opposition Leader Michael Ignatieff; afternoon arrival at Trudeau
International Airport in Montreal, followed by meeting with Premier Jean
Charest; visit to Cirque du Soleil; tour of Biodome; presentation of colours to
the Black Watch Royal Highland Regiment, including meeting with recent
Afghanistan veterans.
Nov. 11 - Morning service at the
National War Memorial for Remembrance Day with Harper; afternoon visit to CFB
Petawawa to meet soldiers and their families; evening reception at Rideau Hall
in Ottawa.
Nov. 12 - Morning tree planting at
Rideau Hall; official departure from Canada Reception Centre, Ottawa
International Airport.
File photo