Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip have arrived for a royal visit as Canada's governing party embroils itself in a scandal that has threatened its hold on power.
The royal couple was to be officially welcomed yesterday, when the queen and Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin were scheduled to give speeches before the legislature of the western province of Saskatchewan before unveiling a plaque inaugurating the Queen Elizabeth II Gardens at the front of the building.
The queen also was expected to unveil a statue of herself riding Burmese -- a Saskatchewan-bred horse that was presented to her by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in 1969 -- and travel to the town of Lumsden for a luncheon where she was to be greeted by school children.
PHOTO: AP
The queen and her husband arrived late Tuesday in Regina, the province's capital, 66 years to the day that her father, King George VI, became the first reigning monarch to visit Canada.
Celebrations
The couple took part in centennial celebrations for the province's union -- along with Alberta's -- with the Canadian confederation. The queen is the symbolic head of state in Canada, a member of the British Commonwealth of former colonies.
The queen was met at the airport by Canada's Governor-General Adrienne Clarkson, the queen's representative in Canada, Martin and other dignitaries.
Royal watcher Margaret Stewardson, 61, arrived first to snare a prime parking spot where she could watch the monarch deplane from the comparative warmth of her mini-van.
"It's not great, but it's not snowing," said Stewardson, who was clad in a parka and shorts amid stiff winds and a steady drizzle. "You have to take what you get here in Saskatchewan."
The Regina resident was on hand for her fifth glimpse of the queen.
"I have watched her throughout her lifetime," she said. "As she gets older she is just a marvelous lady. She has been through so many trials and traumas that I just admire her."
The queen and Prince Philip went to the First Nations' University of Canada where she participated in a tribute to First Nations veterans. First Nations is the term used by Canadian Aborigines, whose groups were among the first continental settlers.
More than 9,000 First Nations men and women fought in World War II and helped liberate the Netherlands.
The royal couple, greeted by First Nations leaders wearing feathered headdresses, listened to traditional songs accompanied by drums, as well as a tribute to the Aboriginal veterans.
Rights
The queen presented them with a stone taken from the highlands of Scotland, which she said represented the rights of First Nations people.
"This stone is presented to the First Nations with the hopes that it will serve as a reminder of the special relationship between the sovereignty and all First Nations people," the queen said.
Prince Philip was given with a pair of brown, beaded moccasins.
The 79-year-old monarch has visited Canada at least 22 times since becoming queen and has referred to it as a second home. Though Canadians are somewhat indifferent to the monarchy, many have great affection for the queen, whose silhouette marks their coins.
The visit began just two days before Martin faces a vote of non-confidence in parliament. Should his minority Liberal government lose what's expected to be a very close vote, general elections will be called.
Royal tradition has been to bow out during election campaigns to avoid any suggestion that the visit is being used to shore up support for an incumbent government.
At least one royal watcher does not believe national politics will hurt the long-awaited royal visit.
"Politicians are always on their best behavior when the queen is around," said John Aimers, the dominion chair of the Monarchist League of Canada.
The opposition, however, has accused Martin of using the queen's visit to prop up his government. Martin was to address the official welcoming ceremony yesterday morning before returning to Ottawa.
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