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• Royal Visit 2009

	Prince Charles and his wife Camilla Parker Bowles share a laugh with Prime Minister Stephen Harper during the welcoming ceremony for the Royal couple at Mile One Centre Monday evening. — Photo by Keith Gosse/The Telegram

The official welcome to Canada for the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall was witnessed by an estimated 2,000 to 2,500 people at Mile One Centre in St. John's Monday evening.

Entire sections of the stadium were empty and unfilled seats were painfully noticeable in camera shots of the crowd.

However, the decoration, music, dance, military demonstration and remarks provided in honour of Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles, were ultimately well received by both the prince and those in attendance.

The speech from the prince, the final speech for the formal event, ended with a simple and straightforward acknowledgment of the effort.

"Thank you, again, for welcoming us with such characteristic warmth and generosity," said Prince Charles on behalf of himself and his wife.

Audience members who spoke with The Telegram after the ceremony said they appreciated the prince's comments and the event.

"I thought it was well organized, well executed and the right length," said Rick Roskin before stepping out into the crisp autumn night, shortly after 7 p.m.

It was approximately three hours after doors first opened to the public, when Mile One Centre became speckled with the blue and white glow of cellphones and digital camera displays.

The excited crowd began snapping pictures while there were still just empty, fabric-framed podiums and one strip of red carpet, before the entry of the Shallaway youth choir and dignitaries.

The Royal Newfoundland Regiment band entered early to a chain lightning storm of camera flashes, performing a medley called "'80s Flashback," as well as "YMCA" and "Heave Away" to keep the crowd entertained.

Then, a round of applause went up as large screens showed the Royals exiting their plane at St. John's International Airport to be greeted by Senator Fabian Manning, who presented provincial and federal dignitaries to the couple.

As the Royals left the airport for Mile One Centre, the live shot cut away.

Then the 100-member (and a few more) military Honour Guard marched into the stadium, with Canadian Forces members representing the army, navy and air force.

The Honour Guard was followed by deputy mayor of the City of St. John's, Shannie Duff, MP Siobhan Coady, Lt.-Gov. John Crosbie, Premier Danny Williams and Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

The Governor General of Canada, Michaelle Jean, entered with the Royals and the line of government leaders beside the podium were presented before all found their seats and speeches were begun.

"On behalf of all Canadians, I welcome their Royal Highnesses to Canada for what I hope will be a memorable tour of our great country," Harper said.

"Royal visits are always a great honour for Canadians. Given our deep devotion to members of the Royal family and their devotion to Canada, these visits are regarded as 'homecomings' by Canadians," he said.

"(Newfoundlanders and Labradorians) are particularly eager to ensure you leave here with wonderful memories that last a lifetime," Williams followed.

The final word went to Prince Charles.

"Can I just begin by saying, Prime Minister; Premier, how deeply touched my wife and I are by your most generous words of welcome to Canada and, more specifically, to Newfoundland and Labrador," he said.

The prince spoke of a "deep respect for the strength of the Canadian character" held by the Royal Family, making note of civilian efforts on 9-11, as well as Canadian military efforts around the world.

"For today, Canadian servicemen and women are serving not merely Canada's interests, but global interests in peacekeeping operations in places such as the Middle East, Lebanon and Sudan," said the prince.

He also recognized Canadian efforts in Afghanistan, noting the death of Private Stephen Marshall, whose body will be returned to Canada today.

Finally, the Prince Charles spoke on "the threat posed to all of humanity by climate change."

"Unless we can all, both individually and collectively, take the actions which we now know are necessary, the future is going to be very bleak, indeed," he said.

Including inspections and tributes, as well as a performance by four Nunatsiavut Drum Dancers, the event still generally concluded as scheduled.

"It was very nice. It was so nice to see so many official people there for such a nice occasion, with everyone agreeing and so pleasant" said audience member Elizabeth Feehan.

The Royal Visit continues today and Wednesday.

afitzpatrick@thetelegram.com