Victoria, British Columbia, Saturday, September 24, 2016

Let me start by acknowledging we are gathering today on the traditional territories of the Lekwungen people, including the Songhees and Esquimalt First Nations.

Your Royal Highnesses, it’s such a pleasure for us to welcome you back to Canada—on Pacific time, this time around!

When we last welcomed you to Canada, in 2011, you were on your very first tour as a married couple.

Now, you’ve come back as a family, and we couldn’t be happier for you.

We’re delighted to welcome Prince George and Princess Charlotte to Canada for the very first time.

May it be the first of many such visits.

Today marks the start of your tour throughout British Columbia and Yukon.

You have a very busy and engaging itinerary.

It touches on mental health, culture, the environment, service and many other themes of importance to Canadians and to you.

You’ll be meeting with smart and caring Canadians in places such as Haida Gwaii, Bella Bella and Carcross, to name a few.

And you’ll be getting around by a uniquely Canadian variation of planes, trains and automobiles:

float plane, hovercraft and Haida canoe!

I’m sure Her Majesty approves of your adventurous spirit!

On that note, let me add how pleased we are to welcome you in Her Majesty’s 90th birthday year.

As you know, we’re on the cusp of another big birthday here in Canada:

The 150th anniversary of Confederation, in 2017!

This will be quite the party, and any celebration of Canada is by definition a celebration of the Crown.

The Crown is such an important part of this country. It’s a safeguard for our rights and freedoms, and it helps ensure the responsibility and the continuity of our government.

And because the Crown’s representatives are individuals—a family—it reminds us that people always come first.

I want to thank you, Your Royal Highnesses, for being part of the human face of our constitutional monarchy.

And thank you for coming back to Canada.

Have a wonderful journey.