Prince Charles and Camilla surprised by locals dressed up as vegetables in Canada


May 20, 2014

Prince Charles and his wife Camilla have met several members of the public during their royal tour of Canada, but a group of volunteers dressed up as fruit and vegetables will have stayed in their memories the most. The future King and the Duchess of Cornwall were visiting the Military Families Resource Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia on Monday. Charles, 65, looked particularly amused by the wellwishers in fancy dress — Matthew Hunt who went as a banana, John Marc Morel who opted to don a carrot costume and another woman dressed as a bunch of grapes. The trio were promoting a local initiative about healthy eating.

© Photo: Rex

Charles and Camilla also had the pleasure of meeting a woman with a puppet named Jason, who entertained the royal couple with his jokes. The Duchess, 66, happily shook hands with the toy as a group of children standing nearby looked equally bemused. Dressed in a cobalt blue dress by couturier Roy Allen, Camilla paid tribute to her host province with a Nova Scotia tartan collar and matching scarf. Their Royal Highnesses, who are undertaking a staggering 41 engagements in four days, were whisked off to their next event which was a visit to Seaport Farmer's Market also in Halifax. Charles and Camilla toured the food market and met local traders, and stopped to chuckle at some cupcakes that featured caricatures of their faces.

© Photo: Rex

The second-in-line to the throne was particularly intrigued by another stall and stopped to chat with Andrew Greene who was holding a duck. Agriculture enthusiast Charles eagerly petted the creature, named Hilda, and showed off his knowledge by correctly guessing her breed. "He just looked at my duck, Hilda, and casually asked, 'That's not a runner duck by any chance?'" Andrew told Herald News.

© Photo: Getty Images

Earlier in the day the Prince of Wales and his wife were given an official "Welcome to Canada" ceremony where they watched the Grand Parade in Halifax. The couple inspected an honour guard and were tasked with laying a wreath at the cenotaph. Charles then delivered a heart-warming speech, much to the delight of locals, in which he said that the royal family is "always made to feel so much at home in Canada." This is Charles' 17th official visit to the country. The Prince and the Duchess then travelled to Pictou where they met the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Charles was presented with an adorable toy moose, which he will probably pass on to his ten-month-old grandson Prince George.

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