Edmonton

Sophie, Countess of Wessex and Governor General to visit Fort McMurray

Sophie, Countess of Wessex, wife of Prince Edward, will be visiting Fort McMurray Friday alongside Governor General David Johnston.

Sophie, David Johnston to meet and commendate first responders and evacuation volunteers

Sophie, the Countess of Wessex, receives a bouquet of flowers during a visit to Winnipeg Wednesday afternoon. Sophie will visit Fort McMurray Friday. (Alana Cole/CBC)

Sophie, Countess of Wessex, wife of Prince Edward, will be visiting Fort McMurray Friday alongside Governor General David Johnston.

"Together, we are looking forward to meeting first responders, volunteers and residents who have been deeply impacted by the wildfires," Johnston said in media release. 

"Our visit to Fort McMurray will allow us to show our ongoing support and to recognize so many great Canadians for their outstanding work."

During his visit, Johnston will present commendations to first responders, community members and volunteers who were involved in the emergency relief efforts during the wildfires. 

Sophie will arrive in Fort McMurray at 12:30 p.m. She and Johnston will take a bus tour to the Beacon Hill neighbourhood which was decimated by wildfire, before meeting first responders and volunteers at Shell Place. 

The pair will also travel to Fort McMurray #468 First Nation, a community of 300 people who came to the rescue of thousands of evacueess before being forced to flee the fire themselves.