Public Opportunities To See Royal Couple
Nova Scotians who want to see Their Royal Highnesses, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, in person will have an opportunity to attend a number of public events Monday, May 19, in Halifax Regional Municipality and Pictou.
Governor General David Johnston, Premier Stephen McNeil and other dignitaries will officially welcome Their Royal Highnesses at Grand Parade in Halifax at 10 a.m. There will be a 21-gun-salute, a guard of honour from the Canadian Armed Forces, an aboriginal blessing, a band and a choir performance.
The official party and The Prince of Wales will give remarks, then the couple will lay a wreath at the cenotaph and sign guest books before a walkabout. This will be the only time His Royal Highness will give remarks during his stay in the province.
People should arrive early for parking because of street closures. The following streets near Grand Parade will be closed from 7 a.m. until noon, Monday, May 19:
- Barrington and Argyle, between Duke and Prince streets
- Carmichael, from Grafton to Argyle streets
- George, from Granville to Barrington streets.
"We are honoured that Their Royal Highnesses will be visiting our province as part of their 2014 tour," said Premier McNeil. "I encourage Nova Scotians to join us to officially welcome The Royal Couple and celebrate our diverse culture, heritage and traditions."
It is common courtesy to bow or curtsy when meeting members of the Royal Family, and refer to them as "Your Royal Highness" initially, and "Sir/Ma'am" as the conversation continues.
The Royal Couple will tour the Halifax and Region Military Family Resource Centre, which will be open to military families only. They will meet with groups that provide support to military families, participate in a Victoria Day Military Family Festival, watch a youth ball hockey game, and take part in a coin presentation and plaque unveiling.
The Prince of Wales will tour the Public Gardens at 12:30 p.m., where he will learn about the history of the gardens and its role in the city, and the restoration of the Jubilee Fountain. He will attend a bandstand concert, and meet members of the Dahlia Society and other groups. His Royal Highness will plant a tree beside an oak tree planted by His Royal Highness's grandfather King George VI in 1939. A set of coins honouring the 75th anniversary of the 1939 Royal Tour will be presented to His Royal Highness by the Royal Canadian Mint.
The Duchess of Cornwall will tour Northbrook Community Centre at 12:35 p.m., where she will have a private meeting with a family who has benefited from Alice Housing programs and tour the centre. Her Royal Highness will proceed outside to a community barbecue and do a walkabout during Family Fun Day celebrations.
A visit to the Halifax Seaport Farmers' Market and the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 will be the last stop of the day in Halifax. The Prince of Wales will tour the market at 1:15 p.m. and will meet with vendors, a youth farmer and young entrepreneurs. He will be joined by the Duchess of Cornwall for performances by local musical artists, and meet with urban farming groups, including Hope Blooms, before proceeding to the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 to join in a tea with war brides and Second World War veterans.
"We have an exciting Victoria Day planned for the Royal Couple," said Premier McNeil. "I am sure The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall will thoroughly enjoy the program and warm welcome to our province."
The tour to Nova Scotia will conclude with a celebration at the Hector Heritage Quay in Pictou at 4:10 p.m., hosted by the Canadian government. The Ship Hector will be the backdrop for musical performances, a tour of the museum, which commemorates Scottish immigration to Nova Scotia, and a plaque unveiling. After the events in Pictou, the Royal Couple will leave for Prince Edward Island and wrap up their tour May 21 in Manitoba.
For more information about the Canadian tour, visit http://canadiancrown.gc.ca/ .