News
TRH attend Remembrance Day Service in Ottawa
11th November 2009
The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall joined Canadians in honouring their war dead and surviving veterans at a Remembrance Day ceremony in Ottawa, Ontario today.
View the video below:
The efforts of soldiers, sailors and airmen who fought in conflicts down the decades from the First World War to Afghanistan were commemorated at the National War Memorial.
Before the ceremony began The Prince issued a message to Canadian troops deployed to southern Afghanistan who were also marking Remembrance Day:
"I wanted you to know that we will be with you all in spirit in Kandahar as you pay your own tribute to those who, over many generations, have made the ultimate sacrifice in duty to Crown and country.
"We join with the Canadian people in expressing our proud and heartfelt gratitude to all members of Her Majesty's Canadian Forces who are currently serving in Afghanistan for your selfless dedication on behalf of us all."
Canada has almost 3,000 troops deployed in the Middle East country and has had more than 130 service personnel killed since operations began almost eight years ago.
Remembrance Day is a national holiday observed by much of Canada and thousands of people lined Confederation Square where the commemoration service was held.
In brilliant winter sunshine The Prince, who wore the uniform of a Canadian Forces Lieutenant General, stood beside the Governor General with the Prime Minister and The Duchess nearby.
Close to the monument - a large granite arch with bronze military figures processing through it - a trumpeter played the last post and a round from an artillery gun started the two minutes silence at 11am.
The ceremony saw a fly-past of four fighter jets before The Prince, Canada's Governor General Michaelle Jean, Prime Minister Stephen Harper and others laid wreaths close to the tomb of an unknown warrior.
Amongst those laying wreaths was Della Morley whose son Corporal Keith Morley was one of four members of the Canadian Forces killed by a suicide bicycle bomber in Afghanistan in September 2006.
She was selected by the Royal Canadian Legion as this year's "Silver Cross" mother to lay a floral tribute on behalf of all mothers.
The Cross is a memorial honour given to close family members of those killed while on active service.
Before The Prince and The Duchess left the square they watched a march past of veterans and serving personnel from a range of uniformed services.
They were cheered and clapped by the crowds who shouted "thank you" to the soldiers.
Their Royal Hignesses next visited Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Petawawa where they met service personnel and their families.
Located 170 kilometres northwest of Ottawa on the Ottawa River, 9,000-hectare CFB Petawawa has served as a Canadian military camp since 1905.
The Prince and The Duchess later attended an official State dinner hosted by the Governor General of Canada, Michaelle Jean, at Rideau Hall, Ottawa.