Earl and Countess of Wessex: Visit to Canada - June 2-7, 2005

[Humera]

Nearly a week after his mother ended her visit of Canada, Prince Edward arrived in the eastern Canadian province of Newfoundland Tuesday night. His wife is not with him yet. I dont know if she'd arrive separately.

Nfld. youth welcome Prince Edward to Canada

Canadian Press

ST. JOHN'S, Nfld. — Curtsies aren't exactly in the modern teen lexicon but with a few pointers on royal protocol, hundreds of Newfoundland youth welcomed Britain's Prince Edward to Canada on Tuesday night.
In his first stop on a six-city tour, the Queen's youngest son met with about 300 teenagers involved in the Duke of Edinburgh Awards created by his father.

"I received an e-mail just letting me know that you have to call him 'Your Royal Highness' when you first meet him and then 'Sir' afterwards, and a small bow," said Chris Ogbuah, 18, who escorted Edward, Earl of Wessex, as he chatted with award recipients for well over an hour.

For others, the invitations to the youth soiree had a little more than the usual time and place.

Stand for the arrival and departure of the prince, and it is customary for gentlemen to bow from the neck and for ladies to half curtsy.

There was no extra training needed, said Adrienne Oliver, 18, who escorted the prince along with Ogbuah.

"People trusted us not to make fools of ourselves," she said after dining with the prince on hamburgers.

"He was really nice," said Katie Stenson after chatting with Edward about the project that helped her earn her award. "I forgot to curtsy when I first met him, but he didn't seem to mind at all."

Edward did not speak to the media. He gave a short speech thanking his young hosts and congratulating them on their achievements.

Although the visit is not an official royal visit, on Wednesday he will present about 140 Newfoundland teenagers with Duke of Edinburgh awards in St. John's before moving on to stops in New Brunswick and P.E.I. on Thursday, Nova Scotia on Friday and Ontario on the weekend.

The award recognizes youth between the ages 14 and 25 who set and achieve goals in personal skills, community service, fitness and wilderness expeditions.

The program was started by Edward's father, Prince Philip, in 1956 and came to Canada in 1963. Today there are approximately 500,000 around the world involved.

Newfoundland Premier Danny Williams welcomed Edward to the province and invited him to return with his wife and baby daughter. Sophie Rhy-Jones did not accompany Edward to Newfoundland.

"You can come here inconspicuously and hide away and nobody will know you," Williams said lightheartedly in his welcome speech.

Williams may not have realized just how right he was.

"Charles's brother?" Oliver guessed, sounding unconvinced, when asked where Edward fit into the royal lineage.

Stenson did a little cramming before the big night.

"My mom gave me a rundown on the family tree . . . so I kind of know who's related to who," she said.

Edward will spend some vacation time at an undisclosed location in Ontario before leaving June 8.

He was last in Canada in 2003, when he visited Ontario and Saskatchewan. He visited Newfoundland and Labrador five years ago.

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1117590303342_72/?hub=Canada

 

[sara1981]

that nice!

i cant wait see the Wessexes at pictures what Sophie wores new dresses and hats and gala dinners also.If Wessexes bring Lady Louise to Canada maybe wait and see!

Sara Boyce

 

[HMQueenElizabethII]

They would not Sara.Even in England they still not but i think maybe at Trooping the Colour Saturday next week.

 

[Humera]

yes I think that only the Queen's visits generate the most interest in the media here.
I managed to make some caps.
Here's Prince Edward last night in St. John's, Newfoundland

 

[Squidgy]

Thank you so much Humera - I knew I could count on you to find something on the visit! Lucky Edward - I'm sure he is having a grand time & enjoying some good ole Newfoundland hospitality!

 

[Alexandria]

Here is a press release I got about an event Edward and Sophie are attending. (And even though it has absolutely nothing to do with my magazine or related to anything I cover for my magazine, I am going!)

Media Advisory

For Immediate Release

HRH The Earl of Wessex unveils
provincial plaque celebrating the Toronto-Dominion Centre

Date: Tuesday, June 7, 2005 at 11:15 a.m.

Location: Oscar Peterson Place at the Toronto-Dominion Centre
66 Wellington Street West, Toronto

Special Guests: Their Royal Highnesses The Earl and Countess of Wessex
The Honourable Lincoln M. Alexander, Chairman,
Ontario Heritage Foundation
John M. Thompson, Chairman of the Board, TD Bank
Financial Group
Peter Sharpe, President and CEO, The Cadillac
Fairview Corporation Limited
Phyllis Lambert, Founding Director and Chair,
Canadian Centre for Architecture

Photo Opportunity: Unveiling of provincial plaque celebrating the
Toronto-Dominion Centre and crowd walk-about by
Their Royal Highnesses The Earl and Countess of
Wessex.

Special Notes: The ceremony will begin at 11:15 a.m. and will last
approximately 45 minutes. Their Royal Highnesses The Earl
and Countess of Wessex will not be available for interviews. A special
secure area for credentialed media will be
located in front of the stage. Please register at the media desk for
entrance to this area. A background paper
highlighting the history and provincial significance of the
Toronto-Dominion
Centre is available on request.

Contact: Lori Theoret, Media Relations and Marketing
Coordinator
Telephone: 416-325-5074
E-mail: lori.theoret@heritagefdn.on.ca
Website: www.heritagefdn.on.ca and
www.doorsopenontario.on.ca

Designed by influential architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, the
Toronto-Dominion (TD) Centre is a prominent example in Canada of Modern
architecture known as the International style. The International style,
often used synonymously with Modernist architecture, was named for its
applicability to different cultural and climatic conditions, implying a
universal design approach and esthetic that could be valid anywhere in
the
world.

The TD Centre is an important landmark that helped to stimulate the
appetite
for Modern architecture in Toronto's post-war construction boom. Its
influence can be seen in skyscrapers across the country.

The Ontario Heritage Foundation is a not-for-profit agency of the
Government of Ontario, dedicated to identifying, preserving, protecting and promoting Ontario's heritage. This unveiling is part of the Foundation's Provincial Plaque Program that commemorates significant people, places and events in Ontario's history. The Foundation has unveiled over 1,180 of these
distinctive blue and gold plaques.

- 30 -

 

[Squidgy]

Sounds fun Alexandria. It's nice that they will be doing a walk about, so you might get to see them up close & maybe even shake their hands. Perhaps you will be able to get a picture that you can share with us (hint, hint) since there doesn't seem to be too much media coverage yet! Enjoy!

 

[HMQueenElizabethII]

Thanks lots Humera.

 

[Squidgy]

Thanks HMQueenElizabethII for finding a picture for us! There doesn't seem to be much in media on this visit (maybe that will change when Sophie joins him later on).

Here's a little blurb from CBC PEI (http://pei.cbc.ca/regional/servlet/View?filename=pe_edward_20050602)

Prince Edward visits Jun 2 2005 02:21 PM ADT
CBC News CHARLOTTETOWN – Prince Edward made a short, but busy, stop on the Island on Thursday. The prince arrived at the Charlottetown airport around 10 a.m. for a six-hour visit. He started his visit at Charlottetown City Hall, where hundreds of people gathered to see him. Then he made his only public appearance at a 150th anniversary celebration in front of the fire hall on Kent Street. "It's a great pleasure to be back here again and renew my acquaintance with the Island after which I was named, I believe. At least that's what I tell everybody when I come here," the prince said with a laugh. He also visited the Charlottetown armouries for another anniversary celebration, this one the 130th anniversary of the P.E.I. Regiment. After that, the prince had lunch with 48 guests and the lieutenant governor at Government House. He then presented 28 gold level Duke of Edinburgh Awards. The award program recognizes young people between the ages 14 and 25 who set and achieve goals in personal skills, community service, fitness and wilderness expeditions. "We have approximately 200 participants in the program at the bronze, silver and gold level," Bob Moffat, president of the program on P.E.I., said before the ceremony. "Following today's ceremony at Government House, we'll have approximately 20 gold award achievers on the Island, which I think is just tremendous." Prince Edward is also visiting Saint John, N.B., Thursday to present more Duke of Edinburgh Awards. He'll be in Nova Scotia on Friday.

 

[Humera]

Thank you so much Humera - I knew I could count on you to find something on the visit! Lucky Edward - I'm sure he is having a grand time & enjoying some good ole Newfoundland hospitality!

you're welcome Squidgy
Im expecting more media coverage once Prince Edward moves on to Ontario.
So far the national news shows haven't mentioned him. Politics have understandably monopolized the headlines.

 

[Humera]

Prince Edward makes brief visit to P.E.I. to meet with youth

CHARLOTTETOWN (CP) - Prince Edward, the Queen's youngest son, made brief working visit to Prince Edward Island on Thursday, meeting with young people and attending a couple of civic ceremonies.

"It's a great pleasure to be back here again and renew my acquaintance with the Island after which I was named, I believe," he said with a laugh. "At least that's what I tell everybody when I come here."

He started his six-hour visit at Charlottetown City Hall, where hundreds of people gathered to see him.
The Earl of Wessex then moved on to a 150th anniversary celebration for a local fire hall and the 130th anniversary for the P.E.I. Regiment at the Charlottetown Armouries.

The prince then joined Lt.-Gov. Leonce Bernard and 48 guests for lunch at Government House, where he presented 28 gold level Duke of Edinburgh Awards.

The awards program recognizes young people between the ages 14 and 25 who set and achieve goals in personal skills, community service, fitness and wilderness expeditions.

"We have approximately 200 participants in the program at the bronze, silver and gold level," Bob Moffat, president of the program on P.E.I., said before the ceremony.

"Following today's ceremony at Government House, we'll have approximately 20 gold award achievers on the Island, which I think is just tremendous."

The prince was also expected to visit Saint John, N.B., Thursday to present more awards.

He was also slated to be in Tatamagouche, N.S., on Friday, where he will meet more award winners, before moving on to Ontario.

The prince is expected to spend some vacation time at an undisclosed location in Ontario before leaving June 8.

Prince Edward started his Canadian visit on Tuesday in St. John's, Nfld., where he met about 300 teenagers involved in the Duke of Edinburgh Awards.

On Wednesday he presented about 140 Newfoundland teenagers with the award.

The 41-year-old prince was last in Canada in 2003, when he visited Ontario and

Saskatchewan.

http://www.macleans.ca/topstories/news/shownews.jsp?content=n060251A

 

[Humera]

Prince Edward in Prince Edward Island

 

[liv]

Isn´t Sophie with him?

 

[Humera]

Isn´t Sophie with him?

i believe she'll be joining him later.
She has some engagements in Ontario province.


Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, right, applauds with New Brunswick Lt. Governor Hermenegilde Chiasson during a stop in Saint John, New Brunswick Thursday June 2, 2005. The Earl of Wessex presented gold level Duke of Edinburgh Awards at a ceremony in Saint John, which bills itself as Canada's Loyalist City. (AP Photo/New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal, David Nickerson, CP)

 

[Squidgy]

Isn´t Sophie with him?

According to the Palace's website, Sophie will be arriving in Canada today. She will be here until the 8th of June. I imagine once she arrives that press interest will pick up.

 

[Georgia]

The Wessexes should get better press for all the hard work they are doing. You never hear anything about them, it's a shame.

 

[Humera]

The Wessexes should get better press for all the hard work they are doing. You never hear anything about them, it's a shame.

Well royal visits to Canada by various children of the Queen aren't very high profile. Its not like the Queen's visit more than a week ago where many of her engagements were covered live. Prince Edward's visits are very frequent and are mentioned briefly on tv. I dont think I even kneew he was here in 2003 until someone on this board mentioned it.
Also it depends on whether there is more important political and local news happening, which is the case in Canada right now. Sophie isnt here yet. Once she is visible im sure things will pick up

 

[Humera]

Edward in Nova Scotia

 

[Squidgy]

A little blurb about Edward's visit to Nova Scotia yesterday.

Source:http://www.herald.ns.ca/stories/2005/06/04/f266.raw.html


[size=-1]
Tim Krochak / Staff
Prince Edward chats with young people after a barbecue lunch for members of the Young Canadian Challenge at the Tim Horton Children's Camp in Tatamagouche on Friday.[/size]

[size=+2]
[/size] [size=+1]Prince, kids munch on burgers during visit to Tatamagouche[/size]
By CATHY VON KINTZEL / Truro Bureau

TATAMAGOUCHE - One-year-old Dawson McCulloch won't remember his brush with British royalty, but Prince Edward certainly made a lasting impression on his grandmother Friday.

"We've been looking forward to this all week," Debbie George of Dartmouth said moments after meeting a relaxed and casually dressed Earl of Wessex during his afternoon visit to Tatamagouche, Colchester County.

"He's handsome ... I think he looks like his father," Ms. George said, cradling her smiling and cooing grandson, who seemed to enjoy the attention they were getting.

"He just looked like he fit in with everyone."

Close to 200 people attended the invitation-only event held at the Tim Horton Children's Camp and designed to shine a spotlight on the Duke of Edinburgh's Award program for which the prince is the international council chairman.

The coastal camp's manicured lawns resembled a college campus before Prince Edward's arrival, as a scattering of young participants ages 14 to 25 and dressed in shorts, light shirts and capri pants lathered on sunscreen to lounge in the sun, play guitar and chat.

The Queen's third and youngest son visited all four Atlantic provinces in the past week and flew to Nova Scotia from New Brunswick in a private jet owned by businessman Ron Joyce of Tim Horton's fame. The prince landed at Mr. Joyce's exclusive Fox Harb'r Resort and was driven to Tatamagouche in a dark Lincoln Town Car, flanked by six other vehicles.

The 41-year-old prince, wearing light-coloured pants and a dark blue golf shirt, seemed to thoroughly enjoy his Nova Scotia experience, which included sunny blue skies and 30 C temperatures.

He slapped his thigh in time to lively fiddle music that several young program participants provided, and Lt.-Gov. Myra Freeman inducted him into the Order of Good Cheer.

Samuel de Champlain established the order, said to be North America's oldest social club, in 1606 to make life more bearable for settlers at Port Royal.

As honorary grand master, Ms. Freeman made the prince promise to have a good time, remember the province fondly, speak highly of his visit and come back soon.

He gladly went along with the requests, responding "Oh yes," to the first three and "Definitely yes" to the last.

Menya Jolicoeur, 15, of Dartmouth thought it was "pretty cool" the prince would spend so much time with him and other program participants.

"It's neat to have such an important figure here and a great experience for anyone our age to meet a prince," he said.

The prince's father, Prince Philip, started the Duke of Edinburgh's Award program in 1956. It is designed to encourage young people to challenge themselves in areas of skill development, health and fitness, caring for their environment and community.

Kathryn Cleveland of Aylesford thought she'd won the royal lottery, being among five young people selected to eat lunch with Prince Edward.

"How many people can say they've casually had a luncheon with the Earl of Wessex or any member of the Royal Family?" she said with a smile.

Lunch of hot dogs, hamburgers and salads was served on a massive outdoor deck overlooking Tatamagouche Bay.

The prince shared many stories and laughs with his lunch partners, who later said they covered a range of topics from flying and animals to challenges and home.

"He seemed to enjoy us as much as we enjoyed him," Kathryn said.

In a short speech, Prince Edward praised the fact that participants from all over the province had come together to meet and exchange stories.

"I think today we've had quite a lot of fun," he said.

"What you'll really discover from all of this is that if you can meet the challenges of the Duke of Edinburgh Award, then I can assure you you will meet the challenges of anything else that life will throw you in the future."

The prince was to have a private business dinner at Fox Harb'r Resort before leaving Friday night for Ontario where he will join his wife for some joint public engagements.

 

[Claire]

I didn't think the forum would put up a thread for the Earl and Countess of Wessex's visit to Canada. It is a private visit, and although petty busy not that long.
But, thank you for helping me find links for House Wessex News Headlines. There are quite a lot. If you would like to see it.
http://www.angelfire.com/celeb2/ceg_20020/News.htm

I must say that I have been following Edward (Sophie) for a number of years now, and if there is one place that he really is happiest it has to be Canada. I've never been to Canada, but it must be a wonderful place.

 

[mybags]

I've been to Canada and it is absolutely beautiful. It's easy to imagine why Edward and Sophie feel so much at ease there.

 

[lashinka2002]

I live in Canada & I think its beautiful!!

 

[Alexandria]

I don't think we have a full itinerary of their visit yet. This was originally posted at the Glittering Royal Events MB, courtesy of Marianne.

Thursday, 2nd June
The Earl of Wessex will attend the City of Charlottetown Sesquicentennial Celebration, at the City Hall, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island; will visit The Prince Edward Island Regiment and meet Regimental Veterans, Association Executives and Unit Senior Appointments, and visit the Regimental Museum at the Queen Charlotte Armoury, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island; will attend the Young Canadian Challenge lunch and Gold Award Ceremony at Government House, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island; and will attend the Gold Award Ceremony and Gala Dinner for the Young Canadians Challenge at the Delta Brunswick Hotel, St. John, Newfoundland.

Friday, 3rd June
The Earl of Wessex will visit the Tim Horton Children's Foundation, for the Young Canadians Challege, Fox Harbour, Nova Scotia; will attend a Charter for Business Dinner, Fox Harbour, Nova Scotia; and will visit The Habitat for Humanity Building Site, Toronto.

Saturday, 4th June
The Earl of Wessex will lay a wreath at the Belleville Memorial Park, Trenton, Ontario; will inspect the cadets of the Hastings & Prince Edward Regiment and attend a lunch at the Belleville Armoury, Trenton, Ontario; and will observe the field exercise of the the Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment and attend a dinner at the Belleville Armoury, Trenton, Ontario.

Sunday, 5th June
The Earl of Wessex will attend Mattins at All Saint's Anglican Church, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada; will attend the Gold Award Ceremony and lunch for the Young Canadians Challenge at Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre, Ontario; and will lay a wreath at the Peterborough City Hall Park, Peterborough, Ontario.

Monday, 6th June
The Earl and Countess of Wessex will attend a Charter for Business Dinner in Toronto; will attend the Aboriginal Welcome Ceremony in Queen's Park, West Portico, Ontario; will attend the re-dedication of the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre at Toronto General Hospital, Toronto; will attend the launch of the TD Waterhouse Youth Initiative at The Wellesley Community Centre, Bhin Rana, Ontario; and will attend the opening of the new office of Hunter, Keilty, Muntz and Beatty in Toronto, Ontario.

Tuesday, 7th June
The Earl and Countess of Wessex will attend the TD Bank Financial Group Sesquicentennial Celebration at the Toronto Dominion Bank Tower, Toronto; will attend the Monarchist League and Loyal Societies Reception at The Spoke Club, Toronto; and will attend the Free The Children Social Science Fair at the CHUM-City Building, Toronto. Wednesday, 8th June
The Earl of Wessex will attend the Gold Award Ceremony and lunch for the Young Canadians Challenge at The Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics, Waterloo, and will attend the International Golf for Youth Tournament and Dinner at the Redtail Gold Club, St. Thomas.

 

[Squidgy]

Thanks Alexandria. And according to the palace website, Sophie will also be carrying out these engagements. It's kind of strange that their paths don't cross until June 6th - until that time, they are each doing their separate things in different parts of the province. I guess the tour organizers get more mileage out of them that way.

Source: http://www.royal.gov.uk/output/Page4129.asp

Friday, 3rd June

The Countess of Wessex will visit The Habitat for Humanity Building Site, Toronto, Canada.

Saturday, 4th June

The Countess of Wessex will visit the Jackson Triggs Winery, Niagara-on-the Lake, Ontario, Canada. The Countess of Wessex Colonel in Chief Lincoln and Welland Regiment, will observe their field exercise and attend a lunch at the Haulage Road Exercise Site, Ontario, Canada.

The Countess of Wessex Colonel in Chief, the Lincoln and Welland Regiment, attends a dinner at The Queen's Landing Hotel, Niagra-on-the Lake, Ontario, Canada.

Sunday, 5th June

The Countess of Wessex will attend the Celtic Communion Service at St George's Anglican Church, St. Catherines, Ontario, Canada. The Countess of Wessex Colonel in Chief, Lincoln and Welland Regiment, attends the Regimental Review at Montebello Park, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

The Countess of Wessex will attend The Duke of Edinburgh's Award International Association Mother and Daughter Tea, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

 

[Humera]

I didn't think the forum would put up a thread for the Earl and Countess of Wessex's visit to Canada. It is a private visit, and although petty busy not that long.
But, thank you for helping me find links for House Wessex News Headlines. There are quite a lot. If you would like to see it.
http://www.angelfire.com/celeb2/ceg_20020/News.htm

I must say that I have been following Edward (Sophie) for a number of years now, and if there is one place that he really is happiest it has to be Canada. I've never been to Canada, but it must be a wonderful place.

Edward really does look very much at ease and happy in the last pic posted by Squidgy doesnt he?
And I think he has made the most frequent visits to Canada in the last couple of years than any other member of the royal family.
He seems to have inherited his mother and his grandmother's tendency to feel, as the Queen Mother once said, that Canada is "home away from home"
He also seems very down-to-earth. Im sure that helps a lot.
Im hoping to see more coverage in the press once he's in Toronto with Sophie.
I think the couple are supposed to be spending the weekend privately at an undisclosed location in Ontario. Im sure they'll enjoy the weather. Edward always seems to be here in the summer.

 

[Squidgy]

June 4 2005 Sophie visits the Lincoln and Welland Regiment in St. Catharines. Sophie is Colonel-in-chief of the regiment.

Photo: Ottawa Citizen

 

[Duchess]

Well royal visits to Canada by various children of the Queen aren't very high profile. Its not like the Queen's visit more than a week ago where many of her engagements were covered live. Prince Edward's visits are very frequent and are mentioned briefly on tv. I dont think I even kneew he was here in 2003 until someone on this board mentioned it.
Also it depends on whether there is more important political and local news happening, which is the case in Canada right now. Sophie isnt here yet. Once she is visible im sure things will pick up

sadly this true. after all the political nonsense here in Canada, some new on someone doing positive things would be refreshing.

 

[Alexandria]

Polfoto 04-06-2005 Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, speaks with an air force veteran at a ceremony in Belleville, Ont. Saturday June 4, 2005. The prince, who last year accepted the role of Colonel-in-Chief of the Belleville-based Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment, was in the city on his first visit to the regiment. (AP Photo/CP, Belleville Intelligencer-Luke Hendry)

 

[Squidgy]

From the St. Catharines Standard ... a little bit more about Sophie's visit to Niagara-on-the-Lake and St. Catharines

By Don Fraser
St Catharines Standard
Local News - Tuesday, May 31, 2005

A training exercise, a church service and an investiture are among the events planned in St. Catharines and Niagara-on-the-Lake during a whirlwind royal tour this weekend.

Royal Family watchers may not have many chances to see Sophie, Countess of Wessex, however. All appearances, except one, are so far by invitation only.

The countess, who is married to Queen Elizabeth’s youngest son, Prince Edward, is visiting Niagara as the new colonel-in-chief of the Lincoln and Welland Regiment.

The countess was appointed colonel-in-chief last Oct. 13, which was the same date Sir Isaac Brock fell during the Battle of Queenston Heights in 1812.

She is also the first person to hold the appointment in the history of the storied regiment, which has been in the region for more than 200 years.

“This appointment is of historical importance for the Niagara region,” said Lt.-Col. Roy Dwyer, commanding officer of the Lincoln and Welland Regiment. He spoke Monday at a media event held at the Lake Street Armoury in St. Catharines.

“The Countess of Wessex is extremely and genuinely interested in her forthcoming visit to the regiment and Niagara region,” said Dwyer. “The regiment itself is looking forward to her inclusion in our regimental family and a long association as our colonel-in-chief.”

The main event will be a public ceremony at St. Catharines’ Montebello Park Sunday morning in which the countess will be invested as the regiment’s colonel-in-chief. The Lincoln and Welland Veterans Association and two regiment-affiliated cadet corps will also participate.

All other events in her Niagara schedule are private and by invitation only. According to the regiment, her itinerary is also tentative.

On Saturday, she’ll be at a training exercise from about 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Homer Bridge area along the east bank of the Welland Canal.

According to a National Defence media release, the exercise will include at least one helicopter, blank ammunition, smoke canisters and other pyrotechnics.

The event is not public and Niagara Regional Police will be present to keep the people away from the training area.

Starting at about 3:15 p.m., the countess will attend a small civic reception at the old court house in Niagara-on-the-Lake, followed by a visit to Jackson-Triggs Niagara Estate Winery on Regional Road 55 from around 4 to 5 p.m.

“The visit to a winery I understand is a request from herself,” said Dwyer at the media conference. “She knows we are a wine-producing area and she’s very much interested in seeing the wineries.”

A regimental dinner will be held by the Lincoln and Welland Foundation at Queen’s Landing in Niagara-on-the-Lake at 7 p.m..

On Sunday at 10 a.m., she will attend a service at St. George’s Anglican Church on Church Street in St. Catharines.

The Montebello Park investiture and parade is open to the public. The ceremony starts at 10:45 a.m. and continues until about noon and may include a public walk by the countess. People are asked to bring their own lawn chairs and seat themselves before the event starts.

At the park, the countess will help dedicate an Ontario Heritage plaque to the late Colonel Graham Thomson Lyall, a member of 19th Lincoln Regiment — a predecessor to the Lincoln and Welland regiment. Lyall was awarded the Victoria Cross for heroic duty during the First World War.

The plaque will be installed in the Lake Street Armoury’s memorial garden.

The countess will not be joined in Niagara by her husband Prince Edward, who has public duties elsewhere in Ontario.

Dwyer said security for the weekend trip will include the countess’ own security detail, with general assistance from the RCMP, NRP and Scotland Yard.

“We are excited and we’re looking forward to the visit,” said St. Catharines Mayor Tim Rigby at the media conference.

“I’ve tried to learn the proper protocol and hopefully won’t embarrass everybody by stumbling behind her, or something of that nature.”


The following is the tentative Niagara itinerary for Sophie, Countess of Wessex. Times are approximate and subject to change. All events are private, except Sunday morning’s investiture and parade in Montebello Park.

Saturday, June 4

• Between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., the Lincoln and Welland Regiment holds a field training exercise in the Homer Bridge area by the Welland Canal. The countess will attend the exercise and visit with the regiment.

• About 3:15 p.m., a small civic reception is to be held at the old court house in Niagara-on-the-Lake, followed by a trip to Jackson Triggs Estate Winery from 4 to 5 p.m.

• At 7 p.m., a regimental dinner, hosted by the Lincoln and Welland Foundation, takes place at Queen’s Landing in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Sunday, June 5

• At 10 a.m., the countess attends a service at St. George’s Anglican Church on Church Street in St. Catharines.

• From 10:45 a.m. until noon (approximately), the public investiture of the Countess of Wessex as colonel-in-chief of the Lincoln and Welland Regiment and other ceremonies will take place at Montebello Park, St. Catharines. The countess may also do a public walk. People must be in the park before 10:45 a.m. and provide their own lawn chairs.

 

[mybags]

I've been to Niagra-on-the-Lake and I think it's a beautiful town. Sophie should thoroughly enjoy her time there.