News
TRH visit Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt
9th November 2009
The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall visited Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt, the Headquarters of the Canadian Pacific Fleet, in Victoria, British Columbia today.
Base Esquimalt is home to Canada's Pacific fleet of a destroyer, five frigates, six coastal defence vessels, a submarine and a supply ship.
The Prince and The Duchess inspected the Guard of Honour and met service personnel at the historic naval dockyard event to mark the upcoming 2010 Canadian Navy Centennial.
The Prince - who was recently made a Vice Admiral of the Canadian Navy - was honoured for 32 years honorary military service with the country.
His Royal Highness was first associated with the Canadian military when he was made Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Regiment of Canada in 1977.
The Prince, who wore his Vice Admiral's uniform, received a second bar or clasp to his Canadian Forces' Decoration - a medal which recognises 12 years' service with each bar representing ten years.
He told the assembled guests of senior naval staff and young cadets: "I cannot tell you how touched, flattered, honoured I am to have been given this clasp to the Canadian medal that I have, that I do wear with great pride all the time.
"I cannot believe that 32 years have gone by since I first became involved as Colonel-in-Chief of the Canadian regiment. I have nothing but the greatest pride in what they, my regiments, and the rest of the Canadian forces achieve all around the world."
The Prince told the guests about his time in the British Navy and how on a number of operations he served alongside Canadian sailors, including on his way back from a posting in the West Indies where he and the crew of his vessel received a warm welcome in Halifax.
During the event, dignitaries watched as one of the naval base's more prominent warships, HMCS Winnipeg, sailed past with all its crew stood on deck.
Before leaving for their flight to Ottawa - the next stage of their tour of Canada – The Prince and The Duchess attended a reception where they met navy veterans.