Ottawa–Their Excellencies the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, and Mrs. Sharon Johnston will officially welcome Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence to Canada on Monday, November 10, 2014. The theme of the 2014 Royal Tour is Canada's Heroes: A Celebration of Canadian Accomplishment and Pride.
Members of the public are invited to attend the official welcoming ceremony at the official residence and workplace of the governor general, at Rideau Hall, and the National Remembrance Day Ceremony at the National War Memorial, in downtown Ottawa.
Here are the details of the events taking place with Their Excellencies and at Rideau Hall:
Monday, November 10
Rideau Hall
12:35 p.m.
Official Welcoming Ceremony
Upon their arrival at Rideau Hall on November 10, 2014, Her Royal Highness and Vice Admiral Laurence will be welcomed by Their Excellencies. Her Royal Highness will then receive full military honours, which will include the inspection of a guard of honour composed of members of the Canadian Armed Forces. The ceremony will conclude with remarks by the Governor General, by the Honourable Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, and by Her Royal Highness.
Grounds of Rideau Hall, Ottawa
Open to accredited media
2 p.m.
Ceremonial Tree Planting
Her Royal Highness and Vice Admiral Laurence, joined by Their Excellencies, will plant a red maple tree. They will be greeted by Elder Evelyne Commanda-Dewache, from the Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation. The tree will be located in proximity to trees planted by other members of the Royal Family, such as those planted by His Majesty King George VI and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth in 1939.
The tradition of planting a tree during a Royal or State visit began with the Right Honourable Earl Grey, Governor General of Canada from 1904 to 1911. Since that time, planting ceremonial trees has become a Canadian tradition, symbolizing friendship and co-operation between nations. Sixteen ceremonial trees have been planted by members of the Royal Family since 1939, when His Majesty King George VI and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth planted a sugar maple.
Grounds of Rideau Hall, Ottawa
Open to accredited media
5:35 p.m.
Meeting with the National Silver Cross Mother for 2014-2015
On the eve of Remembrance Day, Her Royal Highness and Vice Admiral Laurence will meet with the National Silver Cross Mother Gisèle Michaud and her husband Conrad Michaud. Mrs. Michaud lost her youngest son, Master Corporal Charles-Philippe Michaud, after he stepped on an improvised explosive device while on patrol in Afghanistan, on June 23, 2009. He was transported to a Quebec hospital, where he died on July 4.
The National Memorial (Silver) Cross Mother is chosen annually by The Royal Canadian Legion to represent the mothers of Canada at the National Remembrance Day Ceremony in Ottawa on November 11. The Silver Cross Mother will place a wreath at the base of the National War Memorial on behalf of all mothers whose children died while serving in the Canadian Armed Forces.
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Large Drawing Room, Rideau Hall
Photo op for accredited pool media–At the beginning of the meeting
8 p.m.
Dinner Hosted by Their Excellencies
Their Excellencies will host a dinner in honour of Her Royal Highness and Vice Admiral Laurence on the occasion of their Royal Tour. The Governor General and Her Royal Highness will deliver speeches on this occasion.
Ballroom, Rideau Hall
Photo op for accredited pool media–In the Reception room, prior to the dinner
Open to accredited pool media–During the remarks
Tuesday, November 11
Rideau Hall
10 a.m.
Meeting with the Royal Canadian Hussars and Presentation of the Third Clasp of the Canadian Forces Decoration
Their Excellencies, joined by Her Royal Highness and Vice Admiral Laurence, will meet withLieutenant-Colonel John Hlibchuk, Commanding Officer of the Royal Canadian Hussars, Lieutenant-Colonel (Ret'd) Bernie Ciarroni, and members of the Regiment. As commander-in-chief of Canada, His Excellency will present Her Royal Highness with the third clasp of the Canadian Forces' Decoration.
The Canadian Forces' Decoration is awarded to officers and non-commissioned members of the Canadian Armed Forces who have completed 12 years of service. A clasp is awarded for every subsequent period of 10 years of qualifying service.
Tent Room, Rideau Hall
Photo op for accredited media
11 a.m.
National Remembrance Day Ceremony
Their Excellencies, joined by Her Royal Highness and Vice Admiral Laurence, will attend the National Remembrance Day Ceremony at the National War Memorial. On this occasion, the Governor General will deliver a speech and Her Royal Highness will read a message from Her Majesty The Queen. The Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada, will also be in attendance.
National War Memorial, Ottawa
Open to accredited media
12:50 p.m.
Reception and Luncheon for the National Silver Cross Mother
Her Royal Highness and Vice Admiral Laurence will take part in a reception prior to a luncheon hosted by Their Excellencies in honour of the 2014-2015 National Silver Cross Mother. The Governor General will deliver remarks during the luncheon.
Tent Room and Ballroom
Photo op for accredited pool media–At the beginning of the reception, in the Tent Room
Open to accredited media–During remarks by the Governor General at the luncheon, in the Ballroom
5:15 p.m.
Meeting with Representatives from L'Arche Canada
Her Royal Highness, joined by Her Excellency Sharon Johnston, will meet with regional and national representatives of L'Arche Canada.
L'Arche was founded in 1964, by Canadian humanitarian and social visionary Jean Vanier, son of former governor general Georges Vanier. This international organization of faith-based communities creates homes and day programs for people who have intellectual disabilities. As a service organization, it espouses a "community model" of living, rather than a medical or social service model of care. At L'Arche, people with disabilities, and those who assist them, live together and are equally responsible for the life of their home and community.The organization is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2014. For more information, visit www.larche.ca.
Long Gallery, Rideau Hall
Photo op for accredited pool media–At the beginning of the meeting and during a gift presentation to Her Royal Highness, at the end of the event
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Media covering the events listed above must have a 2014 Royal Tour accreditation from the Department of Canadian Heritage.
Media information:
Julie Rocheleau
Rideau Hall Press Office
613-998-7280
julie.rocheleau@gg.ca
Media Relations
Department of Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101 or 1-866-569-6155
media@pch.gc.ca
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