Charles and Camilla woo Newfoundland crowds

ST. JOHN’S, N.L. – The Prince of Wales and his wife, the Duchess of Cornwall were welcomed to Canada on Monday night by nearly 2,000 happy Newfoundlanders, who roared with approval as the royal couple walked a red carpet into a hockey arena in downtown St. John’s.

For the next 10 days Prince Charles and Camilla will travel across Canada – his 15th official visit to the country, her first – stopping also in Ontario, British Columbia and Quebec, before concluding the tour in Ottawa on Remembrance Day.

After stepping off their plane onto the tarmac under a moonlit sky at St. John’s airport Monday, the royal couple was whisked to Mile One Stadium for their official welcome by Governor General Michaelle Jean, Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Premier Danny Williams of Newfoundland and Labrador.

The arena was less than half-full, but the cheers of the eager crowd made up for the empty seats, and Charles and Camilla were treated to a moving, hour-long ceremony of heartfelt words, soaring music and down-to-earth Newfoundland humour.

"Canadians hold the Royal Family with deep affection and in high regard," said Harper. "I wish you both well as you set out on your journey across our magnificent land."

Williams advised the couple they would feel right at home in Newfoundland.

"Wherever you go here, you will find fish and chips that rival any in London," he joked, as well as plenty of Newfoundlanders who "can’t live without their daily dose of Coronation Street.

"As your Royal Highnesses set out on your long journey from the Atlantic to the Pacific, we hope that you discover just how much you and your entire family are respected and admired by our people."

Charles responded by recalling words he once spoke in Winnipeg, on an earlier visit.

"Many years ago I remember saying, ‘Every time I come to Canada . . . a little more of Canada seeps into my bloodstream, and from there straight to my heart.’ "

But he acknowledged that Harper had already beaten him to the quote. In his own address moments earlier, Harper had already repeated those words from Winnipeg – revealing an awkward faux pas by the Prime Minister’s Office, which would have seen and vetted Charles’ speech in advance, as is customary on royal tours.

Unruffled by the incident, Charles praised what he called his family’s "deep respect for the strength of the Canadian character" and paid tribute to its record of military sacrifice, particularly today in Afghanistan.

"Canadians are bringing the light of freedom and justice to the darker corners of the world," he said. "I need hardly say, therefore, how much my heart goes out to the family of Private Steven Marshall who was killed in action only last week."

Charles finished with a warning about climate change – a subject on which he is increasingly outspoken – calling the environmental crisis "a defining moment for our civilization. Unless we can all, both individually and collectively, take the actions which we now know are necessary, the future is going to be very bleak indeed.

"So I am delighted that, over the coming days, we will be able to meet some of the Canadians who are at the forefront of developing the crucial solutions on which humanity’s future depends.

"The leadership and innovation they represent is going to be needed on a huge scale to protect our planet for our children and grandchildren."

The audience responded with a standing ovation, and the royal couple was escorted out of the arena, waving good night to the crowd on the way out.

Hope Green, of St. John’s, was there with her elderly mother, watching the ceremony from the stands.

"This is the first time I’ve ever seen any royals," she said. "I think it’s great they’ve come here.

"I know there’s a lot of controversy about how popular they are now, but this family, and the monarchy goes back to our history. I think we should be proud of them. I think Canadians who don’t care about them need a reality check."

Charles and Camilla have arrived in the midst of Canada’s H1N1 flu crisis, and only two days after Newfoundland announced its first recorded H1N1-related death.

Canadian organizers of the tour say the royal party is well aware of the serious consequences of the flu epidemic, in particular, the risks created by crowds that may gather to meet the couple and the copious shaking of hands that will occur over the next several days.

"The entire (royal tour) team has been reminded of the medical protocol set by Health Canada," said Kevin MacLeod, the Canadian secretary to the Queen, in a briefing with reporters Monday.

"Obviously, there will be a lot of shaking hands. Should people along the walkabout route not wish to shake a (royal) hand, should one be extended – no offence will be taken," he said.

On Tuesday, Charles and Camilla are scheduled to travel to the village of Cupids, N.L., Canada’s oldest English settlement, which celebrates its 400th anniversary next year. They also will visit the heritage town of Brigus, N.L., and tour parts of Memorial University in St. John’s.