King Charles honours Queen Elizabeth with special gesture at historic visit

King Charles and Queen Camilla touched down Ottawa in Canada on Monday afternoon to kick off their historic two-day visit to Canada.

The royal couple received a warm, rousing welcome as they were greeted by the Governor-General of Canada Mary Simon, newly-elected Prime Minister Mark Carney accompanied by dignitaries including the National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak, and other indigenous leaders.

Buckingham Palace shared delightful highlights from the first day of the visit as the King and Queen celebrated the Canadian culture. Following a visit to the Lansdowne Park – where they enjoyed cultural showcase of indigenous communities, local food and hockey – they headed to Rideau Hall.

The Rideau Hall is the official residence of the governor general of Canada, who is also the representative of the monarch.

During the visit, Charles honoured the memory of his late mother, Queen Elizabeth, and commemorated his historic visit with a special gesture.

“In the grounds of Rideau Hall, the official residence of the @GovernorGeneralCanada, Their Majesties have planted a Blue-Beech tree to recognise their visit,” the statement by the royal family read alongside a video from the event.

“There are over 150 commemorative trees in the grounds of the residence including four trees which were planted by The King, as Prince of Wales, and five by Queen Elizabeth II.”