On the first day of a whirlwind two-day royal visit to Canada, King Charles III was greeted not just with cheers and street hockey, but also with a unique tribute from a passionate admirer — a tattoo of his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II.
As King Charles and Queen Camilla mingled with well-wishers at Lansdowne Park in Ottawa, they encountered 50-year-old Annie Riendeau from Montreal, who proudly displayed a tattoo of the late Queen’s EIIR cipher inked on her inner forearm. In a touching — and unconventional — moment, Riendeau pledged her continued devotion to the monarchy, telling the King: “I’m going to get one for you too, soon.”
The royal couple’s visit included a vibrant showcase of Canadian life, featuring cultural exhibits, a ceremonial greeting from Indigenous communities, and even a puck-drop to start a game of street hockey. The gathering was punctuated by cries of “welcome home” and “God save the King,” reflecting a warm public reception.
Prime Minister Mark Carney accompanied the royals for part of the day, calling the King’s upcoming role in delivering the Speech from the Throne in Canada’s Senate Chamber on Tuesday an “historic honour” and a symbol of “our enduring tradition and friendship.”
The visit, described by officials as “short but impactful,” is seen as an effort to reaffirm the bond between Canada and the Crown, one that Carney said has “evolved to reflect the strength, diversity, and confidence of our people.”
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