CHARLOTTETOWN -- Canada's war history and its achievements as a country became central themes of Prince Charles's visit as he spends today with his wife Camilla in Charlottetown for the second full day of a tour that will see the royal couple stop in three provincial capitals.
Prince Charles reflected on Canada's contribution to the Second World War as the royals were officially welcomed Monday by hundreds of people in Halifax, a naval city where 500,000 military personnel embarked on a transatlantic journey to serve during the war.
Charles commented on the number of soldiers, sailors and airmen from Canada who fought to liberate Europe as the 75th anniversary of the start of the war approaches, calling it "an extraordinary contribution" from a country with a small population.
On the eve of his visit to Charlottetown, the Prince of Wales also remarked on Canada's achievements as it marks the 150th anniversary this year of the Charlottetown Conference, which led to Confederation in 1867.
"Our visit will focus on Canadian achievements as part of a major celebration of the past and the future," Charles said in the first of four speeches he will make during the royal tour.
"One hundred and fifty years ago, the foundations for a new country, which would be proud of its traditions and excited by its future, were first laid in Charlottetown and Quebec City. Based on the principle of freedom and justice inherited from two great European nations, the Dominion of Canada was to become a reality three years later."
The royal couple attended Charlottetown's Victoria Day festivities on Monday night.
The second speech of the tour by Charles is scheduled for today in Charlottetown when he receives an honorary Symons Medal for his contribution to Canadian society.
Charles and Camilla are visiting the provincial legislature as well, where they will watch a youth parliament debate, and they are scheduled to meet an actress who plays Anne of Green Gables as they tour an exhibit to the well-known fictional character at the Confederation Centre of the Arts.
A number of stops planned for the royal couple's tour of the Charlottetown area reflect the prince's interests.
Charles is scheduled to meet students at Holland College who are involved in urban development and sustainability projects. He is also meeting with representatives of the Canadian Institute of Forestry to help develop a partnership between the organization and the prince's Duchy of Cornwall.
Known for his love of the outdoors, Charles is scheduled to visit new trails at Bonshaw Provincial Park and unveil a commemorative plaque naming them the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall Trail System.
