Hundreds brave rain to cheer Queen’s arrival in Halifax
Posted Jun 29, 2010 05:00:04 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Royal watchers in Halifax will have a couple more chances to see the Queen in person today.
The Royal Tour continues with Her Majesty and Prince Phillip lunching with Defence Minister Peter MacKay, greeting veterans and conducting the International Fleet Review this afternoon.
The Halifax leg of the 22nd Royal Tour of Canada got off to a soggy start on the Garrison Grounds on Monday, though the weather did nothing to dampen the spirits of hundreds of cheering Nova Scotians.
The royal couple arrived at Halifax International right on time yesterday afternoon and made their way to the Garrison Grounds for the official welcome to Canada.
The Queen told the crowd a visit to Canada is like coming home.
“Prince Philip and I are very glad to have returned to Nova Scoita today to begin this tour of Canada.” said the Queen. “My twenty-second visit as Queen of Canada.”
Those in the crowd were eager to welcome the Queen to Nova Scotia, despite the rain.
“I don’t care, it’s our Queen and she deserves this special ceremony,” said one determined boy, who said he didn’t mind getting a little wet.
“I am a little wet, but I’m very excited, I love the Queen and I drove a thousand miles to see her,” said one woman visiting from Jonestown, N.Y.
Premier Darrell Dexter was just as enthused.
“It’s exciting I think there’s a little bit of electricity in the air,” he said. “I wish there wasn’t quite so much rain in the air, but it was wonderful.”
A tour of the Mi’kmaq cultural village on the Common followed the welcoming ceremony, followed by a dedication ceremony at Government House where the royal couple will stay while they’re here.
