The Canadian military appeared to pull out all the stops in a Toronto ceremony on Saturday where Prince Philip presented a new regimental flag to a battalion.
A pair of soldiers jumped from a plane and parachuted into a nearby field while rappelling teams sped down the side of a building before the awarding of the regimental colours to the Third Battalion of the Royal Canadian Regiment.
The Queen’s husband told a crowd of several hundred people gathered at the Ontario legislature that the regiment has an “enviable reputation for peacekeeping.”
Regimental colours — a ceremonial flag — are considered the most prized possession of every regiment.
The prince has served as the Royal Canadian Regiment’s colonel-in-chief since 1953 — an honorary title bestowed on members of the Royal Family — and last awarded new colours to the regiment 40 years ago.
Philip received two honours Friday from Governor General David Johnston — the Order of Canada and the Order of Military Merit.
