Prince Charles, Camilla honour Canadian soldiers who died in Afghanistan
Royal couple visiting CFB Trenton on 2nd day of Canadian tour
The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall were at CFB Trenton in eastern Ontario on Friday as part of their Canadian tour, and took part in a ceremony honouring Armed Forces members who died in Afghanistan.
They began their three-day tour Thursday in Iqaluit, where they discussed revitalization of the Inuit language and visited Sylvia Grinnell Territorial Park.
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Prince Charles and Camilla landed at CFB Trenton shortly after 11.30 a.m. ET and were greeted by military officials, as well as Premier Kathleen Wynne and Lt.-Gov. Elizabeth Dowdeswell.
A commemoration service honoured 158 Armed Forces members who died in Afghanistan between 2001 and 2014.
The royal couple laid a wreath at the Afghanistan Repatriation Memorial near the base and met with family members of soldiers who had died.
Later in the day, they plan to visit a local winery and investigate the local food movement in Wellington, Ont.
Crowds in Wellington waiting for the Prince and Duchess to arrive. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RoyalVisitCanada?src=hash">#RoyalVisitCanada</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/hw?src=hash">#hw</a> <a href="https://t.co/NhiK9scsXL">pic.twitter.com/NhiK9scsXL</a>
—@HannahThibedeauCharles honoured by governor general
Prince Charles met with personnel at 8 Wing/CFB Trenton, who specialize in airlift and search and rescue, and with personnel responsible for the CC-130 Hercules Aircraft and the MPN-25 Radar, Mobile VFR (Visual Flight Rule) and Mobile IFR (Instrument Flight Rules). These navigational aids provide support during exercises and operations on land, sea and air.
He also met beneficiaries of one of his charities, the Prince's Operation Entrepreneur, which helps veterans get the training and resources to start a business. A security consultancy and an olive oil business are among the enterprises started under the program.
The Duchess of Cornwall met with a regiment — the Queen's Own Rifles — of which she is colonel in chief. Founded in April 26, 1860, it is the oldest continuously serving infantry regiment in Canada.
Gov. Gen. David Johnston also announced Friday morning that the Prince of Wales has been appointed to the extraordinary companion category of the Order of Canada for supporting Canadian charitable activities as well as the men and women in the Canadian Armed Forces.
With files from The Canadian Press