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An impressive military parade entertained the large crowds gathered
around the Cenotaph – the empty tomb in honour of those whose
remains are not present – as the motorcade made its way into the
historic military square.
On behalf of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Minister of Defense and
Attorney General of Canada Peter Mackay welcomed the royal guests,
and led them through a receiving line of dignitaries, military
members and Aboriginal elders.
Their Royal Highnesses were greeted with full military honours including a
heart-pounding “21-gun salute and the breaking of His Royal
Highness’s Canadian Flag,” as The Prince inspected the soldiers,
sailors and airmen of Her Majesty’s Canadian Armed Forces.
Though chilled to the bone without the benefit of warm coats, the
grade 5-9 students who came from all parts of the province to make
up the 140-member Children’s Chorus of Nova Scotia performed a
heartwarming rendition of the royal anthem to the Royal Couple’s
delight.
Following an Aboriginal blessing delivered by Elder Doug Knockwood
of the Shubenacadie First Nations, rendering speeches were made to
highlight the strong ties between Canada and the Royal Family.
Governor General David Johnston highlighted the many anniversaries
that coincide with the royal visit, including the 150th anniversary
of the Charlottetown Conference which led to Confederation, the
centennial of the beginning of the First World War, the 75th
anniversary of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet and the 100th birthday of
“Winnie the Bear, the Canadian cub that inspired A.A. Milne’s
Winnie the Pooh.”
“Your visit means a great deal to us. Even in this age of instant
global communications, there is no substitute for a smile, a
greeting, or a moment of shared humanity. Our personal ties are the
foundation of our smart and caring society,” he said.
“The Crown occupies a central place in the life of this country,
and I want to thank you, Royal Highnesses, for the role that you
play within our constitutional monarchy.”
The Honourable Peter Mackay spoke of the Mother Country’s role in
the evolution of Canada:
“This city and this province’s connections to the Crown have played
a defining role in our history and our evolution as a province and
a nation. (…) But even as we have grown and evolved from a colony,
to a province, to the strong and united Commonwealth nation of
Canada, we have retained the proud institutions and traditions we
inherited from Britain.”
In the first of four speeches to be delivered during the royal
tour, Prince Charles, who has not been feeling well in recent days
due to a nasty cold, poked fun at the inclement weather marking
Victoria Day’s unofficial beginning of summer.
He also fondly reminisced about his first visit to the Halifax
harbour as a young naval officer due to a ‘malfunction’:
“I have fond memories of coming to Halifax forty-two years ago,
when I was then serving in the Royal Navy. On that occasion, I have
to admit, my visit was due to an act of God: mechanical failure of
the ship in which I was serving. In fact, a fishing net and miles
of rope and cable round the propellor shaft. (An American net, of
course!). I’m glad that I was invited this time!”
“Halifax has borne witness to so much of Canada’s modern history,”
he continued. “The magnificent cenotaph before us on Grand Parade
reminds us of Canada’s involvement in two World Wars when Canadians
sacrificed so much to protect their cherished freedoms.”
His Royal Highness recalled how “nearly 60 years ago, almost half a
million Canadians departed from (Pier 21) to serve overseas during
the Second World War, a most extraordinary contribution coming from
a country whose population was, at the time, far lesser than it is
today.”
“In Normandy next month we will be standing alongside Canadian
veterans at Juno Beach, commemorating the remarkable service and
sacrifice of all those Canadians who fought to liberate Europe,
many of whom left from right here in Halifax.”
Praising the warmth and hospitality of Canadians, the future heir
expressed gratitude, saying:
“Being with you here today, my wife and I can only feel Nova
Scotians and Canadians have offered us what I can only describe as
a thousand welcomes.”
After laying a wreath on the cenotaph in remembrance of those who
served in the two Great Wars and the Korean Conflict, the Prince
and his wife signed their first names in the Government of Canada
Golden Book and the Nova Scotia Guestbook. To cheers of jubilation,
the Royal Couple indulged the large crowds with a surprise
walkabout before departing for the Halifax and Region Military
Family Resource Centre.
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The H&R MFRC is the only charity of its kind, serving over
20,000 servicemen and their families as it works to promote the
health and social well-being of individuals, families and
communities who share the unique experience of military life.
Working in partnership with local Canadian Armed Forces leadership,
the H&R MFRC supports families during deployments and long
separations with a common belief that military families are strong,
capable and proud.
The royal couple were introduced to some of their activities and
programmes which include providing mental health and wellness
resources; small business, entrepreneurial development programmes
and spousal employment; and family activities ?to enhance and
improve quality family time, including gardening and ball
hockey.
The Prince was especially keen to witness the synergy between the Military Family
Resource Centre’s “Entrepreneurs Club” and The Prince’s Operation
Entrepreneur, a uniquely Canadian programme run by the Prince’s
Charities Canada that provides transitioning military personnel
with the education, mentorship and financing needed to start a
business.
His Royal Highness had the opportunity to meet with current and
prospective military entrepreneurs supported by his programme, as
well some of the academic and student leaders who support it.
Please keep an eye on Royal Central for continuing coverage of the
day’s events on both our website and on Twitter at
@RoyalCentral.
Photos with thanks to The Department of Canadian Heritage]]>
