(Kigali) Prince Charles inaugurated Friday the 26e Commonwealth leaders’ meeting in Kigali, Rwanda, with praise for Canada.
Posted at 7:51 a.m.
He urged participants to learn from Canada’s Indigenous reconciliation efforts and learn from the past.
The heir to the throne added that he and his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cambridge, were deeply touched during their stay in Canada last month by the testimonies of representatives of indigenous and non-indigenous peoples who he said said, launched an honest reflection on the darkest moments of their shared history.
Prince Charles said the Commonwealth’s roots run deep in painful periods of history and if the association of its members is to move forward in harmony, nations must recognize that past.
He also wanted to clarify before the summit that each nation’s relationship with the Crown, whether as a republic or a monarchy, belongs to each of them and that countries have the right to sever their ties.
PHOTO PAUL CHIASSON, THE CANADIAN PRESS
Justin Trudeau applauding Prince Charles after his speech
Prime Minister Trudeau is due to hold bilateral meetings with other leaders on Friday to try to rally Commonwealth countries behind Canada’s climate goals and vision for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
His agenda includes a meeting with the President of the African Union Commission and talks with the leaders of Antigua and Barbuda, Ghana and Zambia.