PROVINCE WELCOMES ROYAL COUPLE AT THE LEGISLATIVE BUILDING

Saskatchewan residents had the opportunity today to welcome The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh during a welcoming ceremony with military honours held at the Legislative Building.

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh traveled by Canada's horse-drawn landau, with a mounted RCMP escort, on Albert Street in Regina to the Legislative Building for the official welcome. The Queen proceeded with a walkabout in front of the Legislative Building where the public had an opportunity to greet her.

"We are extremely pleased to have The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh here to celebrate the province's centennial, and to be able to welcome the Royal Couple to Canada and Saskatchewan," Premier Lorne Calvert said. "The official welcome at the Legislative Building was an exciting event where many Saskatchewanians had the opportunity to meet The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh, as well as gather together to celebrate the centennial."

While at the Legislative Building, The Queen unveiled the larger-than-life size bronze Golden Jubilee statue of herself riding her horse Burmese, sculpted by Saskatchewan artist Susan Velder. The RCMP presented Burmese to Her Majesty in April 1969. The Queen rode the Saskatchewan-born black mare for the Trooping of the Colour in 18 consecutive birthday parades.

The Queen also named the legislative committees room, "Mamawapiwinnayati". Use of the Cree word "mamawapiwin and the Dene word "nayati" symbolizes the historic and continuing relationship between the Crown and the First Nations people in Saskatchewan. Both words translate as "meeting" or "gathering".

The Duke of Edinburgh turned the sod for the future Saskatchewan War Memorial, and unveiled a plaque commemorating the sod-turning on the occasion of the 2005 visit of Her Majesty and His Royal Highness.

Before leaving the Legislative Building, The Queen unveiled the Saskatchewan Centennial Mural by Aboriginal artist Roger Jerome of La Ronge. The mural shows a First Nations couple canoeing on a river in the forest of northern Saskatchewan.

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For More Information, Contact:

Maureen Boyle Government Relations Regina Phone: (306) 787-5959