OTTAWA -- Princess Anne, the only daughter of the Queen and Prince Philip, arrived in Ottawa on Monday for what is expected to be a largely sombre, two-day visit.
When the visit was announced in September, it was billed as a celebration of everyday heroes, including veteran police officers and aboriginal youth. It took on new meaning last month with the deaths of two Canadian soldiers in terror-related incidents.
"I think we especially remember the two servicemen, Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent and Cpl. Nathan Cirillo, who were recently killed in the service of their country," the Princess Royal said as she was welcomed at Rideau Hall.
"And we will always honour the sacrifice they made on behalf of us all."
Vincent, 53, was struck and killed by a vehicle on Oct. 20 in a parking lot in St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que. Security officials later described the incident as an attack by a violent extremist.
Just two days later, reservist Cpl. Nathan Cirillo was shot and killed while on sentry duty at the National War Memorial. The gunman, Michael Zehaf Bibeau, was killed shortly afterward in a gunfight inside Parliament Hill's Centre Block.
Princess Anne and her husband, Vice-Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, arrived at the Ottawa airport shortly after noon.
Both will attend the National Remembrance Day service and take part in a ceremony to rededicate the war memorial.
The inscription, "In Service to Canada -- Au service du Canada," will be added to the memorial to recognize all men and women in service, past, present and future. The dates of the Afghanistan mission and the South African War will also be added.
Princess Anne noted that her grandparents, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, attended at the original dedication ceremony for the monument in May 1939.
"As we stand on the verge of the monument's rededication, I am mindful of this continuum of history and the privilege given us as members of the Canadian Royal Family to share such important moments with you all," she said before inspecting a royal guard.
Anne was welcomed to Rideau Hall by Gov. Gen. David Johnston, who said the visit is a fitting tribute to Canada's military.
"You are a true friend to Canada and we are delighted to have this opportunity once again to showcase what our country has to offer," Johnston said.
The princess later attended an awards ceremony at the National Police College. An avid rider, she was then taken to the stables housing the musical ride's horses.
The first horse she encountered was named Anne, she was told.
"Come on," she said in a skeptical voice.
Sgt. Major Marc Godue, who was leading the tour, assured her that was indeed the animal's name. She visited briefly with the jet-black mount, doffing a glove to stroke its muzzle.
The princess was to meet later with this year's Silver Cross Mother, Gisele Michaud, whose youngest son died of injuries suffered in Afghanistan.
Master Cpl. Charles-Philippe Michaud was wounded after stepping on an improvised explosive device while on patrol near Kandahar City in 2009. The 28-year-old died less than two weeks later at a hospital in Quebec City.
Calling it an "all-too-short tour," Heritage Minister Shelly Glover also welcomed Princess Anne on her seventh official visit to Canada, thanking her for paying tribute to the heroism of everyday Canadians.
"We thank you for highlighting and sharing this core Canadian value," said Glover.
The princess arrived on the same day that the Forces announced another memorial to Vincent and Cirillo. One of the locations of the air group flying missions in Iraq has been named Camp Vincent.
The operations base of the Canadian Special Operations Forces in Iraq is now called Patrol Base Cirillo.
