The British Crown Prince Charles and his wife arrived in St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada on the 17th for a three-day whirlwind visit. This scenic visit was not easy. In addition to the challenge of aboriginal people asking for an apology, the Charles couple also had to face Canadians who wanted to cut ties with the British royal family.
The visit of Prince Charles and his wife Camilla has been defined as a trip to Aboriginal reconciliation. At the welcoming ceremony in front of the Newfoundland Provincial Council, with a strong Aboriginal flavor, chiefs of major Aboriginal tribes attended the event. The Governor-General of Canada, Mary Simon, welcomed the pair in Inuktitut to hear the stories of Aboriginal people. “I encourage you to know the truth about history, for better or for worse.”
In his speech, Charles said that Aboriginal peoples have cared for this land in Canada for thousands of years, and this visit “is the beginning of listening, not a one-off, but an ongoing commitment to healing, respect and understanding.”
The couple attended a ceremony to commemorate the Aboriginal boarding school in the heart-shaped garden of the Governor’s House in Newfoundland. Governor Judy May Foote said the Garden of Heart is a place to “remember memories and sow dreams”. “People come here to reflect, but also to pay their respects.”
Prince Charles and his wife will arrive in Ottawa on the evening of the 17th local time, and will meet with a number of Aboriginal groups on the 18th. Aboriginal Metis council president Cassidy Caron has said an apology will be demanded from the couple at a welcome at the Governor’s Palace in Ottawa.
Since the middle of last year, graves and a large number of children’s remains have been discovered at the former Aboriginal boarding school site in Canada, shocking the world.
In April, Pope Francis issued a “historic apology” to Indigenous groups in Canada.
The Charless also face challenges from many Canadians who question him as a future head of state.
More than half (52 per cent) of Canadians believe Canada should not have a constitutional monarchy indefinitely, compared with just 25 per cent, according to a survey released last month by the Angus Reid polling firm. Fifty-five percent expressed support for Queen Elizabeth to continue as Canada’s head of state, but mentioned that Charles would become king, leaving only 34 percent behind.
With the Queen getting older, more Canadians want to follow other countries and leave the constitutional monarchy.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau emphasized Canada’s historical relationship with the monarchy in a welcome speech to the Charles couple. “The durability and stability of our democracy is largely woven into the Westminster parliamentary system, the constitutional monarchy and the royal family,” he said.
(Editor-in-Chief: Zhuang Yanyu)