Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko spent three and half eventful days in British Columbia, Canada.

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Upon arriving in Richmond, the Emperor and Empress were escorted by Premier Gordon Campbell on a tour of the Olympic Oval built for the 2010 Winter Games. They were greeted by other dignitaries, athletes, and a few hundred well wishers. Outside the Olympic Oval, the royal couple watched a performance of “Field of Spirit” by a Richmond children’s choir, a song that was written for the choir to commemorate the opening of the Olympic Oval. The Emperor and Empress were presented with 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games commemorative pins before leaving. Premier Campbell later issued a statement saying that the object of the visit will be to renew and strengthen B.C.’s strong ties with Japan. “Their Majesties’ visit highlights the importance of British Columbia and Japan as strong partners as we move forward with our Asia Pacific strategy.”

In Victoria, Lt.-Gov. Stephen Point welcomed the Imperial Couple to Government House (the Lt.-Governor’s residence).  For Akihito, this was a trip down memory lane for it was at Government House that he stayed as a 19-year-old Crown Prince on his way to Queen Elizabeth’s coronation in 1953. “It left a very strong impression on him. He has always wanted to retrace those memories and share them with the Empress,” said Mr. Numata, former Japanese Ambassador to Canada.  Read more…

Capricorn Japanese Royals Canada, Emperor Akihito, Empress Michiko, State Visit

Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko arrived in Toronto on Wednesday as part of their state visit to Canada.  On their agenda, was a trip to Toronto’s Hospital For Sick Children commonly known as Sick Kids (see a video here).

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The Imperial Couple later met with Lt.-Gov. David Onley at the his residence and then with Premier Dalton McGuinty at the Ontario Legislature.

They visited the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre on Thursday evening and a seniors’ home on Friday morning before leaving for British Columbia where they may be facing a tense situation as  a group of veterans and other interested parties are expecting an apology or expression of regret for past wars from the Emperor .

Turnouts to greet the Imperial couple have seemed rather small as compared to other royal visits during their stay in Toronto.

More information can be found in this thread.

Capricorn Japanese Royals Canada, Children, Emperor Akihito, Empress Michiko, Hospital, State Visit

The Imperial Couple landed in Ottawa on Friday afternoon to kick off their 12-day state visit that will also take them to Toronto, Vancouver and Victoria.

The last time Akihito visited Canada, he was a 19-year-old Crown Prince on his way to attend the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth in 1953. Although this visit is to commemorate the 80th anniversary of formal diplomatic relations between the two countries, it is also to strengthen their common bonds.

The weekend activities were chosen in keeping with Akihito’s interest in natural science and his biological studies.  They visited a tea room at the Mackenzie King Estate in Gatineau Park, Quebec and Ottawa’s Experimental Farm.

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The official state visit began on Monday when the Imperial Couple rode in an open carriage up the winding road to Rideau Hall, the Governor General’s Residence, to be welcomed by Governor General Michaëlle Jean.  He reviewed the GG’s guards and planted a Canadian hemlock tree in the GG’s private garden.

“We are most impressed with the effort the people of your country make in order to maintain nature in metropolitan areas and try to lead a healthy lifestyle,” said the Emperor as part of his address.

Later that afternoon, Akihito met with students at Carleton University before returning to Rideau Hall for informal talks with the Prime Minister.

GG Jean hosted a state dinner for the Imperial Couple and other dignitaries at Rideau Hall during the evening.

On Tuesday the Couple toured Parliament Hill and attended a gala reception at the National Gallery.

Many excited Japanese-Canadians could be seen among the crowds greeting the Imperial Couple.

You can follow the Imperial Couple’s state visit to Canada in the thread here.

Capricorn Japanese Royals Canada, Emperor Akihito, Empress Michiko, Michaëlle Jean, State Visit

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On 18 June 1959 Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh began a 45-day tour of Canada in Gander, Newfoundland, that would see them visit every province and territory and open the St. Lawrence Seaway. To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Queen’s visit, The Georgian newspaper interviewed people who were there during the Queen’s visit.

To read some some interesting anecdotes click here.

The Royal Couple was received by the Prime Minister John Diefenbaker and Governor General Vincent Massey and other dignitaries when they arrived in Gander. A pretty little girl handed HM a bouquet and everyone waited patiently until the little girl remembered to curtsy and pull at her skirt before returning to her parents.

On June 26, Queen Elizabeth and U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower formally inaugurated the St. Lawrence Seaway, which links the Great Lakes with the Atlantic Ocean. They boarded the Royal Yacht Britannia at the lock at St. Lambert, Ontario. The Britannia pulled away from the dock and entered the lift lock to officially open the Seaway as she passed a gate made from timber from the lock of the old Lachine Canal. Read more…

Capricorn British Royals Canada, Duke of Edinburgh, Elizabeth II, Official Visit, Prince Philip

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) will be giving a Public Service Horse named George to HM Queen Elizabeth to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the presentation of Burmese to the Queen. Burmese was the first of three horses that were trained in the world-famous Musical Ride program.

George has been participating in the Musical Ride for three years. He is totally black except for a small white patch between the eyes. He is bold and yet he is calm and quiet. Buckingham Palace didn’t comment on what role George would be playing or if HM plans to ride him.

George will be presented to HM during the Royal Tattoo at Windsor Castle on 16 May 2009.

For more information read the following article.

Capricorn British Royals Canada, Elizabeth II, Horses, RCMP

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  To celebrate International Women’s Day, fifteen women of different backgrounds were invited to tea with Queen Sonja and Crown Princess Mette-Marit at the Royal Palace in Oslo. Women originally from Afghanistan, China, Peru, Somalia, Lebanon, Pakistan, Colombia and Eritrea. They talked about their backgrounds, their lives in Norway, their activities, their special interests, their health issues, and how they have built their own lives in an alien country with whatever resources were available to them.

Capricorn Norwegian Royals International Women's Day, Princess Mette-Marit, Queen Sonja

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  Crown Princess Masako visited an exhibition of devices invented by housewives at a Tokyo department store. Masako listened as her attendant explained the purpose of the items, ranging from a butter knife to a device that help disabled people write.

Although the Crown Princess has attended several public duties with her husband, Crown Prince Naruhito, this was her first solo public function since 2006. Her appearance at the New Year greetings at the Palace in January more or less signaled her return to public duties.

Capricorn Japanese Royals Princess Masako

  On 21 February 2009, the first Army Cadets’ Training program was unveiled at the University Brunei Darussalam (UBD), the first of its kind at a higher institute in Brunei. HRH Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah, Crown Princess of Brunei, who joined the program last August, was among the members of the women’s platoon during the military parade (photo1, photo2, photo3).

The program was set up in collaboration with the Brunei Royal Armed Forces (BRAF) and the Extra-Curricular Unit of UBD Student Affairs. There was also an exhibition displaying the cadets’ activities with the RBAF.

Capricorn Brunei Royals Princess Sarah

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 Today, Kyril, Prince of Preslav participated in a charitable golf event for the Codespa Foundation in Madrid, Spain. The Codespa Foundation is a non-profit organization based in Spain under the aegis of the Prince of  Asturias that helps poor people and communities in developing countries of Asia, Africa and the Americas.

Prince Kyril, the second son of King Simeon and Queen Margarita (nee’ Gomez-Acebo y Cejuela) of Bulgaria is married to Rosario Nadal since 15 September 1989. They live in London with their three children, Princess Mafalda (1994), Princess Olympia (1995) and Prince Tassilo (2002). Prince Kyril is a merchant banker and financial analyst by profession.

More info on the Codespa Foundation from Wiki

Capricorn Bulgarian Royals Codespa Foundation, Prince Kyrill, Spain

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 Crown Prince Haakon of Norway who is attending the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in Liberec, Czeck Republic was presented with a painting called Liberec by the mayor of Liberec, Jiri Kittner, yesterday.  Photo1

 The prince was seen cheering for the Norwegian team during the events and later he chatted with the athletes and congratulated the winners.  Photo2   Photo3   The championships run until 1 March 2009. The 2011 competition will be held at Holmenkollen in Oslo, Norway.

Capricorn Norwegian Royals Czech Republic, Prince Haakon, Sport