Prince Charles first visited Canada in 1970 at the age of 22. In 2022, the Prince and the Duchess of Cornwall returned to Canada, delighting residents with a three-day royal tour. Ottawa Yes brings you more details on the royal couple’s itinerary.
Three-Day Canadian Tour
The 2022 tour was dedicated to the Platinum Jubilee marking Queen Elizabeth II’s 70 years on the throne. The royal couple planned visits to three provinces over seven days. In the lead-up to the tour, police and city officials did not release advance details. Here are some key stops along the way:
- In the morning, Governor General Mary Simon presented the heir to the British throne with the Order of Military Merit at Rideau Hall.
- At 10:50 a.m., the royal duo participated in a wreath-laying ceremony and a moment of silence at the National War Memorial on Elgin Street.
- Next, they met with members and organizations of the Canadian-Ukrainian community at the Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin, located near Byron Avenue.
- The royal couple took a stroll through ByWard Market alongside Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson, stopping to chat with vendors and greet members of the public. More than 100 people gathered to welcome them.
- Prince Charles and the Duchess visited Assumption Elementary School in Vanier, where they engaged in discussions about education and spoke with parents.
- Their next stop was a musical performance by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). The royal couple toured the stables with the RCMP commissioner and watched a specially prepared show.
Meeting with Ukrainians in Ottawa
A significant moment of the tour was the royal couple’s meeting with Ukrainians who had fled the war. Prince Charles and Camilla paid special attention to the issue and emphasized the importance of transitioning to a green economy as soon as possible.
At the Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin, the couple lit candles and attended a prayer service in solidarity with Ukraine. They also attached blue and yellow ribbons with the message “Stand with Ukraine.”
Outside the cathedral, the crowd chanted:
“Slava Ukraini! Heroyam Slava!” (Glory to Ukraine! Glory to the heroes!)
Both Ukrainians and Canadians were delighted to interact with the royal couple.
The Heir to the British Throne’s Long-Awaited Visit
In the afternoon, Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall visited a veterans and youth support group, as well as a group of women who had fled the conflict in Afghanistan.
A meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at Rideau Hall was also on the agenda. During the conversation, Trudeau praised the prince as “a leading voice on climate action.” That evening, the royal couple met once again with the Governor General before attending a reception in honour of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
They were seen off by high-ranking officials and security personnel.
How Did the Public React to the Royal Visit?
Many Ottawa residents still remember June 1983, when Prince Charles and Princess Diana visited the city for the first time as a married couple. Despite this, the 2022 visit with Camilla was well-received by the public, with crowds growing larger each day.
However, during the visit, the royal couple faced calls from Indigenous leaders, including National Council of Métis President Cassidy Caron, to apologize for the legacy of residential schools and work toward reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. In response, the royal couple stated that reconciliation was a key part of their visit.
The Current King of the United Kingdom
King Charles III ascended the throne on September 8, 2022, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. At the time, he was 73 years old, making him the oldest monarch in British history to take the throne.
His coronation took place on May 6, 2023.