MONTREAL—Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philipp arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on Monday, beginning a nine-day tour of Canada that will culminate on July 6 with an address at the United Nations in New York City.
The couple was greeted by Governor General Michaëlle Jean and Prime Minister Stephen Harper, while several hundred onlookers braved the rain to catch sight of Her Majesty, who has been Canada’s symbolic head of state for 58 years.
“My mother once said that this country felt like a home away from home for the Queen of Canada,” she told the crowd near the Halifax Citadel at the official welcoming ceremony.
“Prime Minister, I am delighted to report that it still does and I am delighted to be back amongst you all. As Queen of Canada for nearly six decades my pride in this country remains undimmed. Thank you again for your welcome. It is very good to be home.”
Noting that this trip is the Queen’s 22nd tour of Canada, Prime Minister Harper talked about how royal visits have impacted local Canadians who had the chance to see her. He recalled the time when he saw the Queen’s motorcade drove through his neighborhood during in his childhood days in Ontario.
“Those people treasure those experiences for a lifetime,” he said, adding that Canadians were “honored that you have given so generously of your time.”
On Tuesday, the Queen, 84, will participate in events celebrating the Canadian Navy Centennial. She will conduct an international fleet review with vessels from eight countries including Brazil, Canada, France, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Twenty-four vessels and 5,000 sailors are expected.
The royal couple will leave Halifax for Ottawa on Wednesday. Their stop in the national capital coincides with Canada Day on Thursday, July 1. It is the seventh time during the Queen’s reign that she has been in the country for Canada Day.
The couple was greeted by Governor General Michaëlle Jean and Prime Minister Stephen Harper, while several hundred onlookers braved the rain to catch sight of Her Majesty, who has been Canada’s symbolic head of state for 58 years.
“My mother once said that this country felt like a home away from home for the Queen of Canada,” she told the crowd near the Halifax Citadel at the official welcoming ceremony.
“Prime Minister, I am delighted to report that it still does and I am delighted to be back amongst you all. As Queen of Canada for nearly six decades my pride in this country remains undimmed. Thank you again for your welcome. It is very good to be home.”
Noting that this trip is the Queen’s 22nd tour of Canada, Prime Minister Harper talked about how royal visits have impacted local Canadians who had the chance to see her. He recalled the time when he saw the Queen’s motorcade drove through his neighborhood during in his childhood days in Ontario.
“Those people treasure those experiences for a lifetime,” he said, adding that Canadians were “honored that you have given so generously of your time.”
On Tuesday, the Queen, 84, will participate in events celebrating the Canadian Navy Centennial. She will conduct an international fleet review with vessels from eight countries including Brazil, Canada, France, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Twenty-four vessels and 5,000 sailors are expected.
The royal couple will leave Halifax for Ottawa on Wednesday. Their stop in the national capital coincides with Canada Day on Thursday, July 1. It is the seventh time during the Queen’s reign that she has been in the country for Canada Day.
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