CBCnews

Charles and Camilla open Royal Winter Fair

Last Updated: Friday, November 6, 2009 | 10:46 PM ET

Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, wave to the crowd from the balcony at Dundurn Castle in Hamilton, Ont., on Thursday. Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, wave to the crowd from the balcony at Dundurn Castle in Hamilton, Ont., on Thursday. (Nathan Denette/Canadian Press)

It was a royal day at The Royal.

Toronto's annual Royal Agricultural Winter Fair — known to everyone in the city as The Royal — was officially opened on Friday by Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall.

Charles and Camilla arrived at the fair in a horse-drawn open carriage, greeted by a large, enthusiastic crowd seated in the Coliseum.

Many had lined up early both to see the royal couple, as well as take advantage of free admission to the fair on the opening morning.

The royal couple toured the exhibition, billed as the world's largest indoor agricultural show and international equestrian competition.

After officially opening the 87th edition of the fair Charles met with local farmers, while Camilla was taken to visit the canines taking part in the kennel show.

The couple later headed to the airport and departed for Victoria, kicking off the next leg of their 11-day tour.

The royals spent some of their time in Ontario meeting business leaders and musicians, as well as touring Dundurn Castle in Hamilton, home to one of Camilla's ancestors.

The couple has already visited Newfoundland and Labrador and will end their tour Nov. 12 in Ottawa.

With files from The Canadian Press
  •  
 

Video

    Related

    Toronto Headlines

    Toronto shootings leave 1 dead, 5 injured
    Two separate shootings in Toronto overnight have left one person dead and five injured.
    No new leads in Mariam case
    Police have wrapped up interviews with some 1,000 students at the high school that missing Toronto teen Mariam Makhniashvili attended, but have not uncovered any new leads.
    More H1N1 vaccine, ventilators to come Video
    Ontario supplied hospitals with 200 additional ventilators on Friday in anticipation of a surge in swine flu cases.
    Leafs win in shootout thriller
    Vesa Toskala earned his first win of the season as the Toronto Maple Leafs beat the Washington Capitals 2-1 Saturday night in a shootout thriller.
    Journalists enhance Canadians' freedom: PM
    Prime Minister Stephen Harper urged journalists to "shine light into dark corners" of government affairs during a speech late Saturday, but wouldn't take questions from reporters covering the event.

    Canada Headlines

    Afghan prisoner transfers halted 'more than 1 time' Video
    Canadian officials have halted the transfer of prisoners to Afghanistan's intelligence service "more than one time," because of the possibility of torture, Canada's chief of defence staff said Sunday.
    Baby survives as crash kills 4
    RCMP say four Calgary women are dead after a crash south of Calgary that left only a single survivor —a baby that had been strapped into a car seat.
    Renewed optimism in search for missing Halifax sailor
    The search for a 68-year-old missing sailor from Halifax resumed Sunday and officials say there is reason to be optimistic after another vessel that made the same trip arrived safely in Bermuda Saturday.
    Vancouver Island evacuation order lifted Video
    An evacuation order has been lifted for hundreds of south Vancouver Island residents forced from their homes by flooding.
    Disgraced N.S. bishop's replacement named Video
    The Roman Catholic Church has appointed a replacement for Bishop Raymond Lahey, of the Diocese of Antigonish, N.S., who is facing child pornography charges.

    People who read this also read …

    Top CBCNews.ca Headlines

    Headlines

    Afghan prisoner transfers halted 'more than 1 time' Video
    Canadian officials have halted the transfer of prisoners to Afghanistan's intelligence service "more than one time," because of the possibility of torture, Canada's chief of defence staff said Sunday.
    Indonesian ferry sinks in storm
    Rescuers saved more than 240 people aboard an Indonesian passenger ferry that sank Sunday in rough waters off Sumatra island, but at least 25 people have died, officials said.
    Iranian forces practise defending nuke sites
    Iran on Sunday began large-scale air defence war games aimed at protecting the country's nuclear facilities against any possible attack, state television reported.
    Baby survives as crash kills 4
    RCMP say four Calgary women are dead after a crash south of Calgary that left only a single survivor —a baby that had been strapped into a car seat.
    Plaskett double winner at Canadian Folk Music Awards
    Joel Plaskett's triple album Three earned the Halifax singer-songwriter a double win at the Canadian Folk Music Awards on Saturday.