Today - Thursday, November 5, 2009

Toronto, Ontario

The Prince and the Duchess will celebrate Canadian history and spotlight those who contributed to building the nation of Canada by visiting Dundurn Castle in Hamilton.  Dundurn Castle is a national historic site that was built by Sir Allan Napier MacNab, a pre-Confederation prime minister of the province of Canada (1854 to 1856).  But there is a special personal connection for The Duchess at Dundurn; Sir Allan is a direct ancestor of The Duchess of Cornwall.  With this visit, we celebrate the links The Duchess has to Canada and we welcome her home.  Dundurn is also an outstanding achievement in architectural restoration, in the cultivation of history programs and an example of how many levels of government can work together to preserve Canadian heritage. Their Royal Highnesses will be given a tour of the castle by the curator before planting an oak tree on the grounds.

The Prince and The Duchess will then visit HMCS Haida, a restored Canadian naval vessel that has been designated a National Historic Site.  By visiting the Haida, Their Royal Highnesses honour the gallant men and women who served in the navy in WWII on the eve of the Canadian Navy's 100th anniversary, which will be held in 2010.  They will open a new museum that displays a model of the motor-cutter.  By visiting the Haida, a Parks Canada National Historic Site, Their Royal Highnesses also spotlight the importance of preserving artifacts that will teach future generations about our military history. 

The Prince will then go on to visit the Niagara College Teaching Winery, centre for wine education in the Niagara peninsula and the only fully licensed teaching winery in Canada.  Ontario's wine industry is worth $50 million.  Niagara College is a leader in viticulture production and its students have gone onto to produce wine all over the world, exporting Canadian techniques and processes.  The Prince will meet students, see a demonstration of ice wine production techniques and attend a reception.  The Prince is a supporter of innovation and research in sustainable agriculture.

The day closes back in Toronto with a colourful pageant of military tradition: The Prince of Wales is Colonel in Chief of the Royal Regiment of Canada and the Toronto Scottish Regiment, and he will present new Colours to the Regiments during a public event at the Varsity Stadium, accompanied by Her Royal Highness. After the ceremony, The Prince and The Duchess will meet with members of the regimental families, including serving, retired and civilian supporters.  By doing so, The Prince supports the Canadian belief that understanding our military history and upholding military tradition is an essential component of our heritage.  These units are reservist units; many Canadians will recognize, as does The Prince, that many reservists have served in Afghanistan.

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