The events at 50 Sussex were part of a packed Ottawa itinerary for Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall. Earlier in the day, the couple met with Governor General Mary Simon at Rideau Hall, where the Prince of Wales was invested as an extraordinary commander in the Order of Military Merit. They then travelled downtown to lay a wreath at the National War Memorial and place a bouquet on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The day also included a stop at a local school, a prayer service at the Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral, a walkabout of the historic ByWard Market, a visit to the stables of the famed RCMP Musical Ride, and an evening reception at Rideau Hall.

The visit to Canada, which also includes stops in St. John’s and Yellowknife, is the first in five years for the royal couple and reflects the growing prominence of the heir to the throne and future queen consort even as Queen Elizabeth II celebrates her monumental 70-year reign. In a speech at the Confederation Building in St. John’s on the first day of the tour, the prince expressed the royal family’s abiding admiration for Canada.

“Time and again you have shown your country to be a safe haven to those in need, a respected leader on the world stage, a much-needed voice in advocating for a greener and more sustainable future, and, in an era where the global institutions of democracy look distressingly fragile, a model of determination and humanity,” he said.

He also acknowledged that the visit comes at a difficult but important moment in Canada’s relationship with Indigenous Peoples, and pledged to take it as an opportunity to learn more about the ongoing process of reconciliation — “Not a one-off act,” he said, “but an ongoing commitment to healing, respect and understanding.

“My wife and I look forward to listening to you and learning.”

The RCGS received its royal designation from the Queen in 1957, and has had several prominent royals as Fellows, including Edward, Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII), who was a founding Fellow in 1930, and currently the Princess Royal.