About four hours after they arrived, The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall are wrapping up their whirlwind stop in St. John’s.
Their Royal Highnesses arrived to less fanfare than they would have in the past, when flag-waving, fanatic crowds would be a half-dozen deep.
But there was a significant and solemn difference with this Royal Visit.
While it was arranged to mark the 70th anniversary of the Queen ascending to the Throne at the age of 26, the underlying theme and importance of reconciliation was evident at every stop.
Prince Charles walks and talks with Lt.-Gov Judy Foote en route to the Heart Garden at Government House. VOCMNEWS pic.twitter.com/AghMmE0fbu
— Brian Callahan (@briancallahan67) May 17, 2022
That was especially true at Government House, where Indigenous leadership stood side by side with the Royals at the only Heart Garden in Canada—a space to remember the lost children of the residential school system.
Todd Russell, President of the NunatuKavut Community Council, spoke on behalf of all Indigenous groups at the Heart Garden
He admitted he was not sure how he himself would feel about today.
But in the end, he said he felt the sincerity of Charles and Camilla, adding that’s when it became real for him.
The Royal couple had one last stop on their tour of St. John’s—a walkabout capped with a pint in Quidi Vidi Village.
Earlier Story
Charles, The Prince of Wales and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall arrived for their 2022 Royal Tour amongst the pomp and pageantry of a welcoming ceremony at Confederation Building.
The royal couple arrived to cheers at Confederation building.
As Prince Charles made his way around the marching band played a rendition of Great Big Sea’s “Ordinary Day.”
Inside, the music and celebrating continued with music from Mi’kmaw musician Paul Pike, Rum Ragged, and the Ennis Sisters.
The theme of reconciliation with Indigenous peoples has been woven throughout the itinerary of the entire royal visit, something which Prince Charles acknowledged during his remarks at the ceremony.
He says as we look to our collective future, the country must find new ways to come to terms with “the darker and more difficult aspects of the past.”
He says he has appreciated the opportunity to discuss the process of reconciliation with the Governor General, which he says is not a one-off act, but an ongoing commitment to healing, respect and understanding.
