royal visits to newfoundland

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Prince Charles in Newfoundland to start Canadian tour

Prince Charles speaks during a welcoming ceremony upon his arrival in St. John’s, as he and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, begin a three-day Canadian tour, Tuesday, May 17, 2022. (Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press via AP)

Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, arrive in St. John’s to begin a three-day Canadian tour, Tuesday, May 17, 2022. (Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press via AP)

Indigenous leaders greet Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall as they arrive in St. John’s, Newfoundland, to begin a three-day Canadian tour, Tuesday, May 17, 2022. (Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press via AP)

Prince Charles and Canada Gov.-Gen. Mary Simon attend a welcoming ceremony in St. John’s as he arrives for a visit to Canada on Tuesday, May 17, 2022. (Paul Chiasson /The Canadian Press via AP)

Prince Charles is greeted by well-wishers in St. John’s as he arrives for a Royal visit to Canada on Tuesday, May 17, 2022. (Paul Chiasson /The Canadian Press via AP)

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau greets Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall as they arrive in St. John’s, Newfoundland, to begin a three-day Canadian tour, Tuesday, May 17, 2022. (Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press via AP)

Prince Charles inspects the honor guard as he arrives in St. John’s, Newfoundland, to begin a three-day Canadian tour, Tuesday, May 17, 2022. (Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press via AP)

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ST. JOHN’S, Newfoundland (AP) — Prince Charles and Camilla, the duchess of Cornwall, arrived in St. John’s, Newfoundland on Friday, to begin a three-day Canadian tour to mark the 70th anniversary of his mother’s ascent to the throne.

The royal couple’s itinerary includes stops in Ottawa and the Northwest Territories as well as a welcome ceremony at Newfoundland’s provincial legislature with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Queen Elizabeth II is the head of state in Canada, a member of the British Commonwealth of former colonies.

“In an era where the global institutions of democracy look distressingly fragile, Canada is a model of determination and humanity,” Charles said. “Today more than ever we need the spirit of initiative, compassion and humanity of Canadians.”

Earlier Tuesday, Trudeau said reconciliation with Canada’s Indigenous people will form part of the discussions Charles and Camilla engage in during their visit. But the prime minister avoided answering when asked if he thinks the queen should apologize for the legacy of residential schools.

From the 19th century until the 1970s, more than 150,000 First Nations children were required to attend state-funded Christian schools as part of a program to assimilate them into Canadian society. They were forced to convert to Christianity and not allowed to speak their Native languages. Many were beaten and verbally abused, and up to 6,000 are said to have died.

Charles and Camilla will take part in a reconciliation prayer with Indigenous leaders. Metis National Council President Cassidy Caron has said she intends to make a request for an apology to the prince and duchess during a reception Wednesday in Ottawa.

Britain’s longest-reigning monarch, 96-year-old Elizabeth has stopped making international trips and has dramatically cut back on her public duties, although she made a surprise visit Tuesday to a train station in central London to see a newly completed subway line named in her honor.

Last week, she asked her son and heir to the throne to preside over the state opening of the UK Parliament and deliver the Queen’s Speech, which lays out the government’s legislative program.

The royal couple’s tour in Canada comes as some Caribbean nations are considering removing the queen as head of state. Barbados cut ties with the queen in November, transforming from a constitutional monarchy to a republic. Jamaica has also talked about becoming a republic but has made no moves.

Trudeau said Canadians don’t want constitutional change and have other priorities.

Overall, the antiroyal movement in Canada is minuscule, meaning that Charles will almost certainly be king of Canada one day. One reason is that abolishing the monarchy would mean changing the constitution. That’s an inherently risky undertaking, given how delicately it is engineered to unite a nation of 34 million that embraces English-speakers, French-speakers, indigenous tribes and a constant flow of new immigrants.

Most Canadians are indifferent to the monarchy, even though the queen is their titular head of state and is portrayed on their coins and stamps, and has visited them 22 times as head of state.

“The Queen asked me to express her best wishes in this special year and her express her deep affection for Canada and all Canadians. Throughout her life since her first visit to Canada in 1951, her majesty became very attached to Canada,” Charles said.

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News Releases

Newfoundland and labrador to welcome their royal highnesses to canada.

• Executive Council

April 11, 2022

Newfoundland and Labrador is to welcome Their Royal Highnesses, The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, to Newfoundland and Labrador in May as they begin their tour to Canada to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, marking her 70th anniversary on the throne.

“As the Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, I am pleased to welcome back Their Royal Highnesses, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, to our beautiful province, in their first official visit to Newfoundland and Labrador since 2009. The Province has a historical connection with the Royal Family, and it is an honour to have Their Royal Highnesses start their tour to Canada in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The Royal Tour coincides with a significant provincial celebration as Newfoundlanders and Labradorians welcome family, friends, and newcomers, from around the world, to celebrate and mark Come Home 2022.

We look forward to the opportunity to highlight some of our inspiring community organizations that are contributing to our communities, and increasing our province’s strengths as a place to live, visit, raise a family, get an education, and start or operate a business.

We are excited to offer a warm Newfoundland and Labrador welcome to Their Royal Highnesses, and to share with them the province’s friendly hospitality, rich arts, cultural, and Indigenous traditions, as well as our incredible pride of place.”

A detailed itinerary for the Tour will be released in the coming weeks.

– 30 –

Learn more News Release from the Government of Canada

Royal Tour 2022

Come Home 2022

Follow us on Twitter @GovNL

Like us on Facebook

Media contact Meghan McCabe Office of the Premier, Newfoundland and Labrador 709-729-3960 [email protected]

• Sep 8, 2022

The Queen's visits to Newfoundland

Queen Elizabeth II was no stranger to travelling. She visited Canada 22 times in her life.

The first visit was in 1951 when she was a princess and her most recent visit was in 2010.

Several members of the Royal Family have visited the country over the years.

From refuelling stops to official tours, the Queen has been in Newfoundland and Labrador a total of nine times. Below is a list:

1953 a refuelling and stop over in Gander.

1959 a tour of Canada that included all provinces and territories.

1966 a refuelling stop.

1970 a refuelling in Gander.

1978 Visited St. John's, Deer Lake, Strawberry Hill, Corner Brook, and Stephenville Airport with Prince Edward and Prince Andrew.

1985 Stopover in Gander while en route to the Caribbean.

1986 Stopover in Gander while en route to London from Lexington.

1991 Stopover in Gander while en route to London from Lexington, U.S.A.

1997 Visited St. John's, Gander, Bonavista, NorthWest River, Shetshatshiu, and Happy Valley-Goose Bay.

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Cruise to St. John's, Newfoundland

St. john's shore excursions, amazing experiences coming soon., sorry, there are no excursions for this port at this moment., things to do in st. john's.

Hit the Bay

A humpback wale splashing its tail

Icebergs, humpback whales, puffins... Get out onto the Bay for an exhilarating tour of aquatic life. Or tour the islands that make up the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve, where you'll see birds galore, including black-legged kittiwakes, common murres and the largest puffin colony in North America.

Put On Your Walking Shoes

View of St. John's harbor through some trees from Signal Hill

It's a hilly affair, whether you choose to hike the trails or the streets — St. John's boasts over 75 miles of walking trails within city limits. Marvel at the ancient rock cliffs that rise from the St. John's harbor, or amble along the North Head Trail and pick wild blueberries at Signal Hill.

Quench Your Thirst

You're in for a toe-tapping good time if you head to historic downtown St. John's. You'll find over two dozen pubs, clubs and bars on George Street. Locals keep the party alive while you get down to an Irish jig, the blues, dance music, country or good old rock n' roll.

Local Cuisine

Newfoundland cuisine is in a category of its own, with unique items like scrunchions (crispy pork rinds) and toutons (fried dough served with mollasses). Try braised rabbit fritters or local blue mussels. Head to the Quidi Vidi district, where you'll find a local farm-to-table restaurant and a brewery featuring lager made from 25-thousand-year-old icebergs.

Head to Water Street and take a piece of St. John's with you. Heritage Shop goodies include labradorite jewelry, carvings, knitwear and preserves. Get onboard Canada cruises and make your way to Quidi Vidi and check out the Plantation, a destination shopping experience where you can visit artisans in their studios as they work and sell their wares.

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Itinerary unveiled for the 2022 Royal Tour of Canada of The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall

From: Canadian Heritage

News release

Their Royal Highnesses will visit St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada’s Capital Region and Yellowknife and Dettah, Northwest Territories from May 17 to 19.

OTTAWA, April 26, 2022

Today the Government of Canada unveiled the official itinerary for the upcoming Royal Tour this spring, part of the year-long celebrations marking the Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. From Canada’s easternmost point to rich northern landscapes, Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall will visit St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador on May 17, Canada’s Capital Region on May 18 and Yellowknife and Dettah, Northwest Territories on May 19.

During their tour, Their Royal Highnesses will meet with diverse communities through engagements on topics such as innovation and entrepreneurship in the context of the pandemic, climate change and sustainability as well as diversity and inclusion, to name a few.

Itinerary Highlights

May 17: st. john’s, newfoundland and labrador.

The Royal Couple will begin their visit to Canada with an official welcoming ceremony in the presence of Indigenous leaders at the Confederation Building, overlooking the capital of St. John’s. The public ceremony will include military honours, a prayer in Inuktitut, Innu drumming, Mi’kmaq music, as will as lively artistic performances showcasing the province’s rich tradition of song and story. The event will also include official addresses by dignitaries and The Prince of Wales.

The Royal Couple will then visit Government House, the official residence of the Lieutenant Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador, to participate in events with members of the community, commencing with a solemn moment of reflection and prayer with Indigenous leaders at the Heart Garden to honour and remember the Indigenous children who attended Residential Schools in Labrador and Northern Newfoundland. A discussion on Canada’s wool industry will follow, showcased through Newfoundland and Labrador artistry. The stop will also include the inauguration of the new Commonwealth Walkway—a Platinum Jubilee commemorative project—on the grounds of Government House.

Their Royal Highnesses will wrap up their first day in Canada at picturesque Quidi Vidi Village, where they will meet local artists and participate in a collective work of rug-hooking at Quidi Vidi Village Artisan Studios. They will meet with local vendors and members of the community during a walkabout of the harbour. They will also visit Quidi Vidi Brewery to learn about its unique brewing process and meet with local food producers and representatives of Newfoundland and Labrador’s vibrant culinary scene.

May 18: Canada’s Capital Region

His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales will be invested into the Order of Military Merit during a ceremony at Rideau Hall before he and The Duchess of Cornwall lay a wreath in honour of Canadian veterans and active service members at the National War Memorial. 

Their Royal Highnesses will then meet with members and organizations from the Canadian Ukrainian community and take part in a traditional prayer service at a cathedral in Ottawa to learn about their stories and Canada’s efforts to support the people of Ukraine.

Afternoon events will include a visit to an elementary school to engage with schoolchildren, parents and teachers on the importance of literacy. The Prince of Wales will also meet with Prince's Trust veterans and youth program participants and take part in a discussion on sustainable finance in combating climate change and building a net-zero economy. Their Royal Highnesses will then visit the home of the world-famous Royal Canadian Mounted Police Musical Ride to meet the riders, walk through the stables and attend a special performance of the Musical Ride.

Later at Rideau Hall, The Prince of Wales will hold bilateral meetings with the Governor General of Canada and with the Prime Minister of Canada. A special evening reception with Their Royal Highnesses will celebrate Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee and bring together Canadians from various backgrounds who have dedicated their lives to serving their communities, like Her Majesty.

May 19: Yellowknife and Dettah, Northwest Territories

On the final leg of their journey, Their Royal Highnesses will land in Yellowknife and visit Dettah, a thriving Dene First Nation community, to take part in various community events and experience local culture and traditions. Their visit will include a community welcome, an opening prayer, a traditional drumming circle, a feeding the fire ceremony, a discussion with local Chiefs and Elders, and a visit to Kaw Tay Whee School, a school offering high quality and culturally responsive programming.

At Fred Henne Territorial Park, The Prince of Wales will meet with members of the Canadian Rangers to mark the organization’s 75th anniversary and be appointed an Honorary Canadian Ranger. At the Dettah Ice Road, he will then meet with local experts to discuss the impact of climate change in the Northwest Territories and the importance of Indigenous-led initiatives to address these challenges. Meanwhile, The Duchess of Cornwall will visit a safe transitional housing centre and community organization that offers services to women and children fleeing violence.

Finally, at the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre , Their Royal Highnesses will meet with local food producers. They will also take part in a discussion on Treaty 11, its history and its legacy in the Northwest Territories, as well as observe a demonstration of traditional Inuit sports and learn about traditional crafts. Treaty 11 is known as the last of Canada's numbered treaties, which was signed by the Crown and First Nations in the Northwest Territories in 1921.

Their Royal Highnesses will then proceed to the Ceremonial Circle for a Platinum Jubilee Celebration and the unveiling of a plaque at the Northwest Territories’ Platinum Jubilee Garden.

The full itinerary is available on the Royal Tour 2022 website .

“Recognizing service is at the heart of this Platinum Jubilee year. Whether it is by serving their community through volunteerism, welcoming refugees into their homes, or making the world greener, Canadians are leading efforts on multiple fronts to move us forward. The upcoming visit from Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall is an opportunity to reflect and reinforce our friendship. It will offer a window to the world on Canada’s innovative spirit, rich traditions, local cultures and languages.” —Pablo Rodriguez, Minister of Canadian Heritage

Quick facts

Consult the official itinerary for event details.

For more information about the upcoming tour, follow the hashtag #RoyalVisitCanada on all platforms and The Crown in Canada on social media:

Facebook:  @TheCrownCa  |  @LaCouronneCa Twitter:  @TheCrownCa  |  @LaCouronneCa Instagram:  @o_canadiana

Send your greetings to The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall with the hashtag #RoyalGreetings and tag where you’re from. You can also share a picture or video of your part of Canada and say what is unique and beautiful about it.

Official photos of the Tour will be available on the Royal Tour 2022 website and on social media during and after the tour. If you happen to take part in the tour, share your own videos and photos using #RoyalVisitCanada and tag the Crown in Canada.

In 2022, Canada is celebrating the Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the 70th anniversary of her accession to the Throne. She is Canada’s longest reigning Sovereign and the first to celebrate a platinum jubilee. To mark this historic milestone, a series of initiatives are taking place throughout the year and across the country.

Associated links

• Royal Tour 2022
• Official Itinerary
• Past Royal Tours
• The Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

For more information (media only), please contact:

Laura Scaffidi Press Secretary Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage [email protected]

Media Relations Canadian Heritage 819-994-9101 1-866-569-6155 [email protected]

Page details

Thousands across Newfoundland gather to witness total solar eclipse

Views of the rare event were best on the south coast and in central newfoundland, social sharing.

Thousands directed their attention toward the sky across Newfoundland on Monday afternoon as the anticipated solar eclipse reached totality shortly after 5 p.m. NT. 

Many areas of the island were directly within the path of totality — when the moon completely covers the sun — and public events were held to share in the experience together. 

In Burgeo, the day was clear and sunny, and the town marked the event with a public viewing on the government wharf.

Resident Florence Courtney said the eclipse was everything she had hoped for.

"It was great. It was amazing. I'm still in awe of it," she said, shortly after the sun began to reappear from behind the moon.

"The wind picked up a bit, the temperature got cooler. It wasn't just like a normal dusk or a normal sunset. This was different."

Caiden Warren also showed up with his friends Markus and Abigail to watch the event unfold. 

"It's like a half-moon cake, like the moon cakes you get in the packages," he said.

The wharf was the perfect spot to view the eclipse, as it lies right across from Eclipse Island, said Melissa Mills, who works for the community and helped organize the event.

"There's lots of other places we could have gathered. But just here looking out over the island, we think that was the place to be," said Mills.

"We wanted everyone to be able to see Eclipse Island here. We wanted to be in that same space that they were over 300 years ago."

Eclipse creates spectacular colours on Newfoundland’s southwest coast

Eclipse Island was named by British explorer James Cook, who witnessed a total solar eclipse there in 1766 while mapping Newfoundland. He calculated its longitude based on observations he took from the event.

"Everyone who lives here knows about Eclipse Island. But looking into this history behind the island has actually been so exciting," said Mills.

"Getting people really, really excited about the history behind it has been super-cool."

In Gander, hundreds of eclipse chasers gathered for the start of the partial phase late in the afternoon.

Skies were cloudy all day but eclipse enthusiasts kept their fingers crossed — and were rewarded with a perfect view of totality at 5:13 p.m.

At Gander Collegiate, physics teacher Jason Power and his students have been preparing for this "once-in-a lifetime opportunity" for months.

They are taking part in the DEB Initiative, an international research project that engages citizen scientists across Canada, the U.S. and Mexico.

"It's a really great opportunity that we've been presented with here," said Power. "It's really cool."

Participants will take photos of both partial and total phases of the eclipse, which will then be used to research the solar corona, or the outermost part of the sun's atmosphere.

That’s a wrap, Gander! Solar eclipse prep started a year ago and the payoff came Monday

While the corona is usually hidden from view due to the strength of the solar glare, it becomes visible during total eclipses. Those photos can then also be used to study solar flares, a not-yet well-understood phenomenon.

Evan Ralph, one of the Grade 12 students at Gander Collegiate involved in the initiative, has along with his fellow students been preparing since the beginning of the year, practising setting up the telescope, tracking elements on the sky and taking pictures.

"This kind of event only happens once in a lifetime for most people. Some people don't even get to see it in their lives," said Ralph.

"It's really cool just to be able to say that that was me, I was part of such a rare event."

Hilding Neilson, an assistant professor of physics at Memorial University who travelled to Gander for the event, was also excited to witness the eclipse.

As an astronomer, he's interested in learning more about how the solar system works, which an eclipse is perfect for, he said. For the viewers in the path of totality, Jupiter and Venus, as well as stars, will be visible while it's dark — if the sky is clear.

"It's Christmas. I've been waiting for weeks for this," he said.

"Yesterday was Christmas Eve and I'm just waiting to open the presents around 5 p.m."

However, a clear view of the rare event was ruled out early in St. John's, as the day was mired by heavy clouds and snow in the capital city and surrounding region. Eclipse chasers there had to settle for scattered glimpses of the partial phases and a couple of minutes of foggy, dark sky.

Whatever the weather, Garry Dymond was ready to roll.

The amateur astronomer — and former president of the local Royal Astronomical Society of Canada chapter — was on the road Monday, ready to outrun the clouds in search of a clearer view.

This will be his fifth solar eclipse, an experience that never grows old. 

"The totality is a really wonderful experience," he told CBC News .  

"It's hard to describe it. But once you've seen one, you want to have more. It's a rush. You're standing up and all of a sudden you're seeing this, in the west, it looks like rain, but it's the shadow of the moon coming at you like 32,000 kilometres per second and then all of a sudden you're under darkness. All around you is a beautiful sunset, 360-degree sunset. Goosebumps."

Dymond said he's been in cow fields where the cows went into the barn. Chickens returned to their coops. Loons began to call, thinking it was night time.

"It's just wonderful. It's an eerie feeling," he said.

Download our  free CBC News app  to sign up for push alerts for CBC Newfoundland and Labrador.  Click here to visit our landing page .

With files from The St. John's Morning Show, The Signal and Colleen Connors

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