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Royal couple stays aboard HMCS Montréal

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Domestic Stories: Royal couple stays aboard HMCS Montréal

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By Maj Paul Doucette

Credit: Cpl Rick Ayer

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, greets crew members aboard HMCS Montréal.

The ship’s company of HMCS Montréal had the rare honour of hosting Their Royal Highnesses, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, July 2-3 as the ship traveled along the St. Lawrence River on the Montréal to Québec City leg of the couple’s Royal Tour across Canada.

Prince William and Catherine arrived at the ship just after 9:30 p.m. and once on board, had the opportunity to watch fireworks over downtown Montréal and visit crew members on the bridge as the ship slipped away from the city.

The Royal couple spent the night in the commanding officer’s cabin, usually occupied by Commander Réal Brisson. While in the cabin, one member of the ship’s company who had great deal of interaction with Prince William and Catherine was the commanding officer’s steward, Able Seaman Rob Lockhart.

“It was the chance of a lifetime,” says AB Lockhart. “They were both very nice. At one time, I was in the serving area and the Prince came right in and he began chatting with me.”

Credit: Cpl Rick Ayer

Their Royal Highnesses, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, are honoured guests during a church service held on the flight deck of HMCS Montréal July 3.

Cdr Brisson also had the opportunity to engage with the Duke and Duchess. Along with the greetings and farewells, he conversed extensively with them about the ship. “They were both genuinely interested in what we’ve been doing at sea. It was enjoyable speaking with them,” Cdr Brisson says. “In the morning, they were very complimentary. Prince William indicated that the gentle rocking of the ship put him right to sleep and I must admit that I was extremely proud when he referred to Montréal as ‘immaculate’.”

In the morning, the couple attended a special morning prayer service with the rest of the ship’s company, led by Brigadier-General Karl McLean, the CF’s Chaplain General, before they disembarked just before 11 a.m. and continued their tour in downtown Québec City.

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