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Majesty go home: Charles visit to Canada hit by Quebec protests
Ross Lydall and Peter Dominiczak11.11.09
Anti-monarchy protesters have disrupted a visit to Canada by Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall.
The couple were forced to delay their arrival at a military headquarters in Montreal by 40 minutes after about 100 Quebec separatists gathered outside.
Charles and Camilla entered the headquarters of the Black Watch of Canada Regiment via a back door to avoid the crowd, which later became involved in violent clashes with riot police.
It was the biggest protest against the royal family for years but was mild in comparison with the demonstrations that greeted the Queen in 1987 and in 1964, when a bloody riot broke out. Charles described it as a "little local difficulty".
A group of more than 50 people, some wearing balaclavas or with their faces obscured by scarves, chanted slogans and held up anti-royal placards.
Awaiting Charles, who was presenting the regiment with new colours, they chanted "majesty go home" and "majesty, majesty hey, hey - goodbye." Some protesters were hit by shields and one man was dragged out of the crowd and held down by up to four officers before being taken away. One protester was left bleeding from the head.
Quebec, with its French heritage, is known for its anti-monarchist views with many people wanting an end to the Queen as Canada's head of state.
Protesters threw eggs before more serious trouble broke out. They chanted the famous independence call, "the Quebecois in Quebec".
Charles is Colonel-in-Chief of the regiment and was dressed in a beret, kilt and sporran.
He apologised for being late, telling the audience of military officials and friends and family of the regiment: "First of all I just wanted to say how very sorry my wife and I are to have kept you all waiting so long - I hear there's a little local disturbance." Julien Gaudeau, a spokesman for the militant nationalist group Reseau de Resistance du Quebec which organised the protest, said: "The Prince is important as a symbol of power given by the blood.
"We don't want this kind of symbol in Quebec, more than 80 per cent of the population is opposed to the monarchy."
Reader views (6)
He should have been at the cenotaph not in Canada heir to the throne, its the same time every year, nearest Sunday to the 11.11. big eared doughnut.
- Steve, England
Val Keller - it is not a visit to 'other countries' - the Queen is Head of State in Canada completely seperately to being Head of State in Britain - and 15 other countries. If you kick the Queen out of a job in Britain, she would still be Queen/Head of State in those countries. 50 people turned up to protest out of a population of 33 million . . .
- Roz, France
NO!!! We don't want him. Please send him somewhere, where he might be wanted.? But please not back here if possible.
- A Winsley, London England
Quebec would not survive on its own and needs the rest of Canada to ensure viability. However HRHs come with Canada - get over it.
- Dave Davies, Basingstoke, Hants
I find their overbearing grandeur and visits to other countries nauseating myself. Why can't they go where they are wanted and leave everyone else out of having anything to do with them
- Val Keller, London UK
I'd understand if the royal family had any influence over canadian politics or society, but one visit every 10 years or so hardly means there is any involvement. Why don't you protest about something that actually matters.
- Alex C, London
