The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall -- Charles and Camilla -- arrived on Canadian soil Sunday night as their plane touched down in Fredericton, NB, the first stop in their Queen's Diamond Jubilee tour.

The royal couple landed about 8 p.m. local time to begin their three-province royal visit to Canada to mark the Queen's 60 years on the throne.

After a brief meet and greet with provincial officials in clear 24 C weather, they headed off in a limousine.

Following their official welcome by Governor General David Johnston at 10:30 a.m. Monday, there will be plenty of pomp and circumstance at Canadian Force Base Gagetown, NB.

The Victoria Day ceremony will feature full military honours, including a 21-gun salute and the unfurling of Charles' personal Canadian flag.

While at CFB Gagetown, speeches will be given by Johnston and the heir to the throne, father of princes William and Harry, before heading off to St. John, NB, Monday afternoon.

None of that impresses NDP MP Andrew Cash, who scoffs at the $1 million budget for the tour in light of recently trimmed federal spending.

"The symbolism is a concern and the timing is terrible," he said in April when the tour itinerary was announced.

Heritage Minister James Moore counters that this royal tour is one of the most economical on record.
Charles, 63, on his 16th visit to Canada, and Camilla travel to Saint John, NB, on Monday before flying to Toronto, where they'll watch Victoria Day fireworks at Ashbridges Bay.

Spending much of Tuesday in Toronto, the royal couple will include a stop at the Distillery District and the Yonge Street Mission.

Charles and Camilla will end their Queen's Diamond Jubilee tour in Regina, Sask., and return home late Wednesday night.

- with files from Daniel Proussalidis