Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has accelerated the transition to a green economy, Prince Charles said on Wednesday during a whirlwind visit to Ottawa, where he also met displaced Ukrainians and lit candles at an Orthodox church .
The Prince and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall made numerous stops at landmarks in Canada’s capital on a busy second day of their 70-year Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee tour.
The crisis in Ukraine — Europe’s worst military conflict since World War II — became one of the main topics of their visit.
Prince Charles spoke about the impact of the Russian invasion on the global economy during a roundtable discussion on sustainable finance. The war has driven up the price of gas all over the world, prompting many to call for faster action to reduce the world’s dependence on fossil fuels.
In particular, he urged Canada to use its “incredible influence” at the G7 and other international forums to find solutions to the climate and biodiversity crisis.
The world is facing an emergency that governments alone cannot solve, said Prince Charles, who is a long-time conservationist.
“I’ve been trying to bring people around the world together on sustainability for 40 years now,” he said.
” Hurry up. With billions of dollars in assets, the private sector and private finance is, in my view, the ultimate key to our success,” said the first heir to the British throne, in order of succession.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the prince a “spokesman on climate change.”
The Prince and Camilla arrived in Canada on Tuesday, spending the day in Newfoundland and Labrador before heading to the nation’s capital in the evening. Their Ottawa itinerary included bilateral meetings with Trudeau and Governor General Mary Simon and a Platinum Jubilee reception at Rideau Hall.
RoseAnne Archibald, national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, said during the reception she asked the prince for a formal apology from Queen Elizabeth as head of the Church of England.
Ms Archibald explained that this apology would help on the road to recovery.
“I stressed truth and reconciliation with First Nations peoples and the need for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to acknowledge and then apologize for the Crown’s continued breach of its treaty agreements with its First Nations partners, as well as to recognize and apologize to survivors and survivors of intergenerational trauma as leaders of the Anglican faith for the role the Church has played in institutions of assimilation and genocide in Canada,” she said in a statement.
Métis National Council President Cassidy Caron said she intends to use this opportunity to ask the Queen to apologize for the legacy of residential schools.
Earlier in the day, the royal couple lit candles and listened to a prayer service inside the Blessed Virgin Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral, an Orthodox cathedral in Ottawa, in a show of support for the country ravaged by the war.
The visit to the church was part of the royal couple’s stops on day two of their royal tour of Canada to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee – 70 years of reign.
The prince and Camilla had arrived in Canada on Tuesday, spending the day in Newfoundland and Labrador before flying to the federal capital in the evening.
Outside the Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, a small group of worshipers awaited the royal family, waving Ukrainian flags and British Union Jacks.
“We appreciate the visit of the royal family and we pray with them for peace in Ukraine,” said Ruslan Rovishen, a Ukrainian who lives in Ottawa. Since my childhood, I have dreamed of seeing the British royal family. I’m glad they’re here. »
Also among the crowd was Iryna Bloshenko, who arrived in Canada from Dnipro, Ukraine just four weeks ago. “I’m very happy, very excited to see the royal family,” she said, waving a Ukrainian flag. We appreciate the royal family’s support for Ukraine. »
Prince Charles and Camilla were greeted with applause as they arrived at the church; they each lit a candle and placed it on a stand before the prayer service began.
Father Taras Kinash said the royal visit was “a symbol of Britain’s and the Royal House’s support for Ukraine and the Ukrainian diaspora”.
After attending the prayer service, the royal couple met a Ukrainian family who fled the Russian invasion.
Crowds grew throughout the day, and by early afternoon the couple were surrounded by a large group of well-wishers and royal observers at Ottawa’s Byward Market.
Kiki Malia said he had goosebumps ahead of his meeting with Prince Charles. He and his companions were planning to have lunch at the market when they heard the Prince and Duchess were on their way.
They took flowers from a local kiosk to give to the couple.
Robert Charles Hupe, owner of the maple syrup shack in the ByWard Market, said he found out last week that he would have the opportunity to showcase his wares to the royal family. He planned to showcase his maple butter, although royal etiquette dictates he cannot offer it to them unless they ask.
His mother named him after the prince, he said, and he was looking forward to meeting his namesake.
At Assumption Elementary School, Camilla sat down to read to a first and second grade class before visiting older students in a French immersion class.
Many of the students’ families are new Canadians, and Prince Charles has spoken with several parents who have recently immigrated.
While touring the stables at the RCMP Musical Ride, Camilla playfully tugged the ear of a horse named William, one of several with links to the royal family. The RCMP and Queen Elizabeth have been gifting each other horses since 1969.
Prince Charles presented an RCMP Long Service Medal to Commissioner Brenda Lucki, marking her 35 years with the force. Medals are awarded to members of “impeccable character”.
Order of Military Merit
Earlier Wednesday at Rideau Hall, Prince Charles was invested “Commander Extraordinary of the Order of Military Merit” by the Governor General, and he laid a wreath at the National War Memorial.
Prince Charles, dressed in a dark blue striped suit, and Camilla, dressed in a blue coat, arrived with the Governor General, Mary Simon, in a grand drawing room at Rideau Hall. They were greeted by the Vice Chief of the Defense Staff, Lt. Gen. Frances Allen, before taking their places outside the room for the ceremony.
The Order of Military Merit celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. The Prince of Wales has already accepted nine honorary appointments and three honorary ranks in the Canadian Armed Forces.
“He was there for our troops at those most important times,” said Ian McCowan, Secretary to the Governor General, who acted as master of ceremonies. “During the Afghanistan campaign, visiting troops in the field, writing to wounded soldiers, offering support to the families of the dead, sharing our country’s pride and gratitude for military service. »
The Order recognizes “the exceptional service of Canadians who, in the performance of their duties in the regular and reserve Canadian Armed Forces, have demonstrated dedication and diligence well beyond duty commanded them”.
Unknown Soldier
The princely couple then left Rideau Hall to go to the National War Memorial. A few dozen spectators gathered on the side of the road outside the grounds of Rideau Hall, waving to the motorcade as it passed. A modest crowd was waiting for them at the memorial, but Cécile Dumont had taken no risk: she had arrived at 7 a.m. Wednesday morning.
“I wanted to have the best seat. I’m a true monarchist, their #1 fan, she said. It’s history in the making: the future king is here in Ottawa. »
For the 2011 royal visit of Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Ms Dumont had camped overnight on Parliament Hill with a host of other Canadians, to secure a good spot. She was surprised to be the only one at the war memorial at 7 a.m. Wednesday to see the Prince of Wales.
Onlookers cheered and shouted as the couple’s car arrived at the memorial. The couple stood in front of the memorial as a bugler played the “Ringtone for the Dead”, followed by a minute’s silence, then the performance of “Réveil”. The Prince of Wales and his wife then laid a wreath and bouquet of flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
After the ceremony, Prince Charles and Camilla took several minutes to greet people in the crowd — Camilla received a bouquet of orange tulips. They shook hands and spoke to people closely watched by security, before getting into the car to drive to the Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral.
The final event of the day in Ottawa is a “Platinum Jubilee Reception” at Rideau Hall.
Métis National Council President Cassidy Caron said she intends to use this opportunity to demand an apology from Queen Elizabeth II for the heavy history of federal residential schools for Aboriginal people.