News
TRH visit Montreal
10th November 2009
The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall travelled to Montreal today to visit the Montreal Headquarters of the highly acclaimed circus company Cirque de Soleil today.
However before departing for Montreal, The Prince and The Duchess received a presentation from The Canadian Rangers who have made Prince William and Prince Harry honorary members. Their Royal Highnesses were presented with caps and sweaters, the uniform of the Rangers, by Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper to take back for Prince William and Prince Harry.
At Cirque de Soleil, The Prince and The Duchess were introduced to the circus’s performers by its Vice President, M. Gaétan Morency and then given a tour of backstage departments including wardrobe and makeup.
TRH were also told of Cirque du Soleil’s community involvement and environmental awareness programmes before watching an exhilarating display of the company’s rehearsals including the Russian bars and three-ring training.
Founded by Quebec City street performer Guy Laliberté in 1984, Cirque du Soleil has grown to be an international business that employs more than 4,000 people, including more than 1,000 artists from 40 countries.
By the time of its 25th anniversary in 2009, the company had staged 25 different productions, which had been seen by close to 100 million spectators around the world.
The Prince and The Duchess concluded their visit by viewing a private showing of Cirque du Soleil's new show that will receive its premiere next April.
The performers then broke into a spontaneous rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’ in honour of The Prince’s 61st birthday on 14th November.
The Prince proceeded to visit the Biodôme de Montréal, where he was welcomed by the Mayor of Montreal and the Biodome’s Director Mme. Léger.
Situated in the former Olympic Velodrome, the Montreal Biodome is one of four components of the city’s nature museums - the largest natural sciences complex in Canada.
Within the facility’s four climate-controlled areas, which represent the ecosystems of the Americas, more than 230 animal and 750 plant species are represented.
The Biodome's mission is to build individual and collective awareness of the need to protect our natural heritage, and it fulfills this goal through a variety of education, conservation, research and outreach initiatives.
In the Tropical Forest ecosystem The Prince met with schoolchildren who are studying the effects of tropical deforestation on climate change.
HRH then moved onto the Polar World ecosystem where he spoke with Ouranos scientists about the devastating effects of global warming on local communities. He also viewed a presentation on Northern Canada.
The Prince, Colonel in Chief of the Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada, and The Duchess then attended a presentation at the Black Watch Armoury.
Currently a modern infantry battalion that provides trained soldiers to augment regular force units and aid civil authorities in times of crisis, the Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada was originally formed as the 5th Battalion, Volunteer Militia Rifles of Canada in 1862.
In August 1992, the Regiment was granted the Freedom of the City of Montreal. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother presented the Regiment with The Queen’s Colour in 1974 (currently in use by the Black Watch) as well as the Regimental Colour in 1962.
The Prince took the dais before inspecting the Guard of Honour and presenting the Regiment with new Colours.
After the ceremony, The Prince and The Duchess joined a Regimental Reception where they met soldiers and their families.
Watch a film of the day's events narrated in English:
Watch a film of the day's events narrated in French: