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Prince PhilipQueen Elizabeth II

The Duke of Edinburgh conducts his final scheduled engagement before retirement

The Duke of Edinburgh conducted his final scheduled public engagement on Wednesday morning as he and The Queen visited Canada House to celebrate Canada’s 150th anniversary of Confederation.

During the visit, The Queen and Prince Philip viewed artefacts and displays celebrating ‘Canada 150′ and also met young Canadians, business leaders, artists, entrepreneurs and members of Indigenous communities.

On arrival, Her Majesty and His Royal Highness was met by outgoing Governor General of Canada, David Johnston. Mr Johnson leaves the position of Governor General shortly and will be replaced by former astronaut, Julie Payette.

According to the Royal Diary, this visit was the last the 96-year-old royal would conduct before his retirement next month.

Although no more engagements have been announced, it is possible further visits could be added next month.

However, at the time the announcement of Prince Philip’s retirement was made in May, Buckingham Palace made it clear that the Duke would not be accepting any new invitations.

Canada House is the home of the Canadian High Commission in the United Kingdom. It provides facilities for Canadians to renew passports and get any assistance that they may require. The building is well known for its gallery that stages exhibitions of historic and contemporary art and artefacts.

The artefacts and displays on show during the visit celebrated Canada 150, including items from the Royal Archives and from the National Maritime Museum’s exhibition Death in the Ice, which explores Sir John Franklin’s final Arctic expedition.

The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh then met guests before viewing a short performance and the presentation of a 150th Anniversary of Confederation gift.

After signing the visitors’ book, The Queen and Duke unveiled a new Jubilee Walkway Panel outside Canada House. This is an initiative of the Outdoor Trust, which also administers the Commonwealth and Jubilee Walkways.

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