Governor General of Canada to Welcome Their Majesties the King and Queen of the Belgians

OTTAWA, March 9, 2018 /CNW/ - Her Excellency the Right Honourable Julie Payette, Governor General of Canada, will welcome Their Majesties the King and Queen of the Belgians to Rideau Hall on Monday, March 12, 2018. Their Majesties will be conducting a State visit to Canada from March 11 to 17.

The detailed itinerary of events involving the Governor General and Their Majesties on March 12 and 13 can be found below.

Monday, March 12

10 a.m.
Official Welcoming Ceremony
An official welcoming ceremony, with military honours, will be held at Rideau Hall. His Majesty the King will conduct an inspection of a guard of honour. Both the Governor General and His Majesty will deliver remarks on this occasion.
Rideau Hall Grounds
OPEN TO MEDIA

10:45 a.m.
Meeting Between the Governor General and Their Majesties
Her Excellency will meet with Their Majesties the King and Queen of the Belgians and members of the Belgian delegation.
Large Dining Room, Rideau Hall
PHOTO OPPORTUNITY FOR POOL MEDIA ONLY?At the beginning of the meeting

11:10 a.m.
Ceremonial Tree Planting
Their Majesties will plant a tree in the Royal grove on the grounds of Rideau Hall to commemorate their State visit to Canada. The tree will be a sugar maple (Acer saccharum), symbolizing the friendship between our two countries and underlining the fact that the visit is taking place as spring approaches, which is when the sap, later to be transformed into maple syrup, starts to flow.

Over 150 commemorative trees grace the grounds of Rideau Hall, the official residence of the governor general of Canada. They mark visits by members of the Royal Family, heads of State and other dignitaries.
Rideau Hall Grounds
OPEN TO MEDIA

7 p.m.
State Dinner
In honour of the Their Majesties' visit to Canada, Her Excellency will host a State dinner at Rideau Hall. The Governor General and His Majesty will deliver remarks on this occasion.
Ballroom, Rideau Hall
OPEN TO POOL MEDIA ONLY?Official photo at 7:10 p.m. in the Reception Room; remarks at the beginning of the State dinner in the Ballroom.

Tuesday, March 13

7:30 p.m.
Concert in Honour of the Governor General
The Governor General will attend a concert being held in her honour by Their Majesties. The concert will highlight cultural co-operation and connections between Belgium and Canada.
Canadian Museum of History, 100 Laurier Street, Gatineau
PHOTO OP?At the beginning of the concert
MEDIA CONTACT:  Francine Lapointe, Canadian Museum of History, 613-286-1348, [email protected] or Howard Fremeth, National Public Relations, 613-854-5336, [email protected] 

Media accredited with the Parliamentary Press Gallery must confirm
their attendance in advance with the Rideau Hall Press Office. It is requested that
members of the media arrive at least 45 minutes prior to official events.
For more information on accreditation, contact the Parliamentary Press Gallery
at 613-992-6517.

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SOURCE Governor General of Canada