They're here! Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, (seen in this file photo) kick off their Canadian tour Monday and will hit New Brunswick, Toronto and Regina. (Photo: Anwar Hussein Collection/WENN.com)

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Here's one way to win over many Canadians - enjoy a pint! Here, Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, share a laugh as he asks for his pint of Cambrian Heart beer back during an August 2010 tour in Wales. (Photo: Anwar Hussein Collection/WENN.com)

Earlier this week, I wrote that it’s hard to get excited about the royal tour of Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.

The royal couple will be in Canada for a three-city, four day tour starting Monday in New Brunswick and wrapping up in Regina.

I said I suspect many people aren’t excited about the tour for the same reason — they see Prince Charles as dull compared to other royals.

Some people disagreed with me, saying I clearly didn’t understand the man.

But I am not alone in not understanding Prince Charles.

And now is his chance to prove himself to us.

They did the weather at the BBC in Scotland. Camilla held a prop gun on the set of her favourite TV show in Scandinavia. What will they do there that will make Canadians sit up and take notice of the royal couple? What will they do to make Canadians thing, “We were wrong – they’re not so dull.”

I already think Camilla is pretty cool – I like that she does stuff during usually-boring media photo-ops. She’s refreshing.

So now, it’s up to Prince Charles.

Some of you will argue Prince Charles has nothing to prove – he will be king. That should be enough for us.

But I would argue he does need to prove he’s likable because we are still his subjects, and he needs our support. The royal family needs us to love him, or, at the very least, like him as our future monarch.

I applaud the prince for his work with charities and environmental causes. I think it’s admirable the efforts he has put forward to bring important causes to the forefront, to get people talking about them.

I do believe he has a funny streak and I’m ready for him to show us. Maybe a stint beside Don Cherry during a Coach’s Corner segment? Announcing a Jays game? Heck, even a repeat of doing the weather would be great.

I’m ready for people to forget the tampon comment, forgive him for the affair (because, if we’re honest, Diana was no saint herself in her marriage), and embrace our future king.

But I also believe he has a role to play to help us overcome the stereotypes we’ve associated with him for so many years.

It’s a pretty traditional tour when it comes to the itinerary, but that doesn’t mean this royal couple can’t have a little fun.

Prince Charles at a Homecoming Parade in Forfar, Scotland, last month. (Photo: David Moir/REUTERS)

Like yesterday’s fun facts about Camilla, here are some interesting tidbits about Prince Charles.

Names: HRH Prince of Wales, Duke of Cornwall, the Duke of Rothesay, the Earl of Carrick, Baron Renfrew, Lord of the Isles, and Prince and Great Steward of Scotland, Knight of the Order of Australia

1. He’s reportedly a fan of Leonard Cohen.

2. His hobbies include Watercolour painting, gardening (especially in his organic garden at Highgrove), hedgelaying, polo, writing books, and acting.

3. He’s passionate about environmental causes and eating locally-sourced, in-season foods.

4. He’s a distant relative of Vlad The Impaler.

5. He’s a graduate of Cambridge University.

6. He is trained as a helicopter pilot.

7. He wrote a children’s book called The Old Man of Lochnagar, which was published in 1980. He originally wrote it for his younger brother, Prince Edward.

8. The prince’s first car was a cobalt blue MGC GT purchased in 1968.

9. He launched his own food company, Duchy Originals, in 1992. Its first product was a biscuit made from wheat and oats grown organically on the Home Farm at Highgrove.

10. The motto of the Prince of Wales ‘Ich dien’, which means ‘I serve’.

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, during a tour of a bakery last month. (Photo: Cathal McNaughton/REUTERS)

Ahead of the royal tour, which kicks off officially on Monday, here are 10 fun facts about the HRH Duchess of Cornwall (or the HRH the Duchess of Rothesay as she is known in Scotland).

1. Camilla is permitted to use HRH the Princess of Wales, but chose not to out of respect for Princess Diana.

2. Her hobbies include reading, watching television, fishing, walking in the countryside, gardening, and oil painting.

3. A new rose was named the Duchess of Cornwall in her honour in 2005.

4. She’s a distant relative of Madonna and Celine Dion.

5. She owns three Jack Russell terriers: Tosca, Rosie and Beth.

6. She’s a huge fan of the TV show The Killing. So much so that on a recent tour of Scandinavia, she asked to visit the set and even seemed a little star struck by the actors.

7. It’s been reported her secret to staying young is using bee venom masks. They’re known as “organic face lifts.” The website for Heaven by Deborah Mitchell says the product “contains the magic bee venom ingredient that works to control the facial muscles for immediate lifting, tightening and firming, whilst getting to work on frown lines and wrinkles.”

8. In April, she was appointed to the highest female rank of the Royal Victorian Order by the Queen. She was made a Dame Grand Cross. The move was seen by many as being the Queen’s final seal of approval for her son’s former mistress-turned wife.

9. She used to work as a secretary.

10. She used to smoke, but gave it up because Prince Charles detests the habit.

Prince Charles has announced two new patronages for Canadian organizations. (Photo: Zak Hussein/WENN.com)

Some people might say, “Why should we care about the royals? All they ever do is sit in Buckingham Palace, wasting taxpayer money and petting corgis.”

What have they done for us lately? What do they do for Canadians?

Well …

Prince Charles has just announced two Canadian organizations — the Royal Conservatory of Music and Earth Rangers — have been granted a royal patronage.

Prince Charles is currently the patron of six charities, as well as acting colonel-in-chief of seven Canadian regiments.

“The Prince of Wales has been involved in Canadian public life for 40 years,” president and CEO of Prince’s Charities Canada Amanda Sherrington said in a release Wednesday.  “These patronages represent a further deepening of that relationship and honour the good work of these organizations in the prince’s areas of interest.”

A patronage means Prince Charles supports these charities, through encouragement, financial aid or privilege. It often also brings attention to the causes — something charities desperately need in order to garner donations and volunteers.

Dr. Peter Simon, president of the Royal Conservatory, said his group is “extremely proud and grateful to join a select group of organizations reflecting the values and goals” of Prince Charles.

Peter Kendall, executive director and co-CEO of Earth Rangers, said Prince Charles, “shares our passion for wildlife and the environment.”

The announcement comes just days before the royal couple’s Canadian tour, which kicks off Sunday.

When they are in Toronto during their royal tour, Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, will tour the Yonge Street Mission and UforChange. Both are part of the prince’s Seeing is Believing program, which brings corporate leaders face-to-face with social and economic issues, and demonstrates the impact that responsible business can have by closing the gap between the boardroom and the community.

“These visits provide the opportunity for the prince to see the great work of these charitable partners and to encourage our visiting CEOs in their efforts to make a difference,” Sherrington said in a release May 11.

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, watches as her husband, Prince Charles, does the weather on a recent trip to a Scotland BBC studio. (Photo: Andrew Milligan/REUTERS)

Toronto Sun columnist Mike Strobel has written about the upcoming royal tour.

Read his column: Charles shoots for the throne on this royal visit

Will Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, woo Canadians in their upcoming tour? Do they even need to?

If you haven’t seen the video of Prince Charles and Camilla doing the weather, check it out here:

Madame Tussauds unveils the 23rd waxwork of Queen Elizabeth in London on Monday. (Photo: WENN.com)

Madame Tussauds has unveiled a new sculpture of the Queen in time for her Diamond Jubilee.

Sculptor Steve Swales told Reuters he was nervous when he met the monarch at her Windsor and Balmoral homes.

Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, attend an event at the Royal British Legion in Edinburgh, Scotland, on May 9. (Photo: David Moir/REUTERS)

Is it just me, or is it really hard to get excited about the upcoming royal tour?

I highly doubt we’ll see the crowds we did last summer when Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, came to Canada for a good week of touring the country.

And Charles and Camilla won’t draw the crowds the Queen does, either.

They’re coming to help celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, but there are many in Canada who’d rather they not bother. Some will argue that in rough economic times, Canada shouldn’t have to shoulder the financial burden of hosting the royals — costs that will include security for events.

But there will be some crowds as Charles and Camilla tour through New Brunswick, Toronto and Regina, just not huge crowds. In their November 2009 tour, Charles and Camilla failed to get crowds out for events, including at the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto.

It’s a short trip — just three cities in four days. Much of the focus will be on military and charities. They’ll also take in fireworks in Toronto to celebrate Victoria Day.

It’s not an overly exciting itinerary. And, if I’m being honest, it’s one that’s hard to get too excited about. While I’m sure it will be a delight for those who get to meet the royal couple, it won’t really affect anyone else in Canada (except for the royal watchers, who will soak in every bit of the tour, no doubt).

It’s different when the Queen comes and she attends the same sorts of events, because it’s the Queen – everyone’s favourite grandmother!

But unlike the Queen and Will and Kate (and Harry – Harry, when are you coming to Canada?), it’s really hard for the majority of people to get excited about Charles and Camilla. While I think Camilla is an interesting lady, and she’ll be good for a few photoshoots because she does fun things like hold guns on TV sets, Canadians just aren’t as connected to Charles as they are his mother and his children.

Charles is seen as the stereotypical Brit — stiff upper lip, little emotion, not very loving, and very professional about everything. And, after polling some colleagues around me, they all determined the same thing: He’s dull.

Yes, he has his causes he’s passionate about. He is an environmentalist. He is one of the biggest supporters of the “buy local” movement. He has a number of charities. But when it comes to who would you rather shoot shit with over a beer in a bar, most would say one of his sons before they’d consider Charles.

We know very little about Charles and it does not seem like most Canadians care to know more.

Let me know what you think about Charles.

Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, read the weather during a tour of the BBC Scotland headquarters in Glasgow on Thursday. (Photo: WENN.com)

It’s hard to believe the long weekend is almost upon us (this year seems to be flying!) and that means that a visit from Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, is right around the corner.

The itinerary for their trip has been released and their four-day, three-province tour will include meeting with military members, a citizenship ceremony, taking in Victoria Day fireworks, and attending a Diamond Jubilee performance by the Regina Symphony Orchestra.

There are also reports the royal couple will ride the Red Rocket, a.k.a., the Toronto Transit Commission.

Here’s a full listing of where they’ll be and when:

Sunday – Saint John, New Brunswick

7:45 p.m. (ADT) – Arrival in Canada

Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall arrive at Saint John International Airport, where they are greeted according to Canadian custom and protocol.

Monday – Canadian Forces Base Gagetown and Saint John, New Brunswick

10:30 a.m. – Official Welcome to Canada and New Brunswick Ceremony

At Canadian Forces Base Gagetown, the Governor General officially welcomes Their Royal Highnesses to Canada and New Brunswick. This event features full military honours including a 21-gun salute and the breaking of His Royal Highness’ personal Canadian flag.

11:05 a.m. – Meet with Military Personnel at Canadian Forces Base Gagetown

Their Royal Highnesses will meet with military personnel enrolled in The Prince’s Operation Entrepreneur program. Their Royal Highnesses will learn first-hand from service personnel and delivery partners how The Prince’s Operation Entrepreneur program enables transitioning service personnel to start and grow their own businesses.

11:45 a.m. – Reception hosted by the Government of Canada

At Canadian Forces Base Gagetown, Their Royal Highnesses, accompanied by the Governor General, attend a private reception hosted by the Government of Canada.

1:10 p.m. – Heritage Tour of Prince William Street

After arriving in Saint John, Their Royal Highnesses proceed on a walking heritage tour of Prince William Street, where they observe projects and activities related to the restoration of Saint John and meet the 2002 Committee for the Prince of Wales Municipal Heritage Leadership Prize. This event will welcome Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall to the city of Saint John and showcase some of its rich heritage, in particular the architecture of historic Prince William Street, which won the Prince of Wales Prize for Municipal Heritage Leadership in 2002.

1:25 p.m. – Citizenship Court Ceremony at the Old Post Office

To demonstrate how civic pride is celebrated and the significance of the Canadian Crown in our constitutional monarchy in this year of Diamond Jubilee celebrations, Their Royal Highnesses attend a citizenship ceremony to welcome Canada’s newest citizens.

2:10 p.m. – Government of New Brunswick Victoria Day Celebration

As part of the provincial celebrations organized by the citizens of New Brunswick to mark the Canadian Sovereign’s Official Birthday and the Diamond Jubilee, Their Royal Highnesses join thousands of Canadians celebrating Victoria Day at the Marco Polo Cruise Terminal in Saint John. Their Royal Highnesses view artisans and culinary demonstrations and meet with local Boy Scouts and Girl Guides before taking in a musical performance by the New Brunswick Youth Orchestra.

3:10 p.m. – Tour of Hazen-White-St. Francis School

Their Royal Highnesses visit Hazen-White-St. Francis School to observe first-hand how students are benefitting from the school’s work with community partners. During the tour, Their Royal Highnesses will meet with staff, mentors, and children involved in the Promise Partnership mentorship program as part of the Crescent Valley Community Regeneration Project. Their Royal Highnesses will also open the Diamond Jubilee IT Centre at the school before joining students in School Fun Day activities.

Monday – Toronto, Ontario

5:10 p.m. – Arrival in Toronto

The 2012 Royal Tour of Toronto begins with the arrival of Their Royal Highnesses at Toronto Pearson International Airport.

9:30 p.m. – Victoria Day Fireworks Display

Their Royal Highnesses, accompanied by the Premier of Ontario, meet with members of emergency services and their families to highlight the importance of service in communities, before observing Toronto’s fireworks display in honour of Victoria Day.

Tuesday – Toronto, Ontario

10:10 a.m. – Event Hosted by the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario at Queen’s Park

Their Royal Highnesses arrive at Queen’s Park to meet with the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario and attend a Diamond Jubilee Medals ceremony, where they will present medals to recipients who, like Her Majesty, have dedicated themselves to service to their fellow citizens, their community and their country.

11:05 a.m. – His Royal Highness Tours the Digital Media Zone at Ryerson University

His Royal Highness arrives at Ryerson University and meets with students and entrepreneurs involved in projects for the university’s Digital Media Zone, showcasing some of Canada’s great young minds and innovative spirit.

11:05 a.m. – Her Royal Highness Visits The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada

Her Royal Highness visits The Queen’s Own Rifles at Moss Park Armoury and inspects the Honour Guard mounted by the Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada (a militia regiment within the Canadian Forces for which The Duchess is the honorary Colonel-in-Chief). Her Royal Highness meets with soldiers and their families and lays a wreath in front of the regiment’s Memorial Wall to pay respect to Canadians who served our nation and paid the ultimate sacrifice.

12:05 p.m.  – His Royal Highness Tours the Pan/Parapan American Athletes’ Village

His Royal Highness visits the Pan/Parapan Athletes’ Village in Toronto and meets with the Chair of the Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games Organizing Committee. His Royal Highness learns about the history and environment of the Athletes’ Village and meets with a group of Canadian athletes who hope to be participating in the 2012 London Olympics this summer.

12:45 p.m. – Government of Ontario Reception at the Historic Distillery District

Their Royal Highnesses tour Toronto’s Distillery District and attend a private reception as part of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations hosted by the Premier of Ontario in the Fermenting Room of the Thompson Landry Gallery.

1:50 p.m. – His Royal Highness Tours the Yonge Street Mission

His Royal Highness visits the Yonge Street Mission to meet staff and people benefitting from the employment skills workshops offered at the facility through the Mission’s U for Change program. His Royal Highness also meets with business leaders and participants to share their experiences from the Prince’s Seeing is Believing program, which is part of His Royal Highness’ charity initiatives in Canada.

3:30 p.m. – His Royal Highness Meets with Assembly of First Nations

His Royal Highness meets with the leaders of the Assembly of First Nations.

6:00 p.m.  – 1812 Commemorative Military Muster at Fort York Armoury

Their Royal Highnesses visit Fort York Armoury for an inspection of the Guard of Honour and a Military Muster. First Nations’ groups and current regiments with a link to the War of 1812 will commemorate the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812. 

9:00 p.m. (CST) – Arrival in Regina

The 2012 Royal Tour of Regina begins with the arrival of Their Royal Highnesses at Regina International Airport.

Wednesday – Regina

11:00 a.m. – Official Arrival to Saskatchewan at the Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly Building

Their Royal Highnesses arrive at the Legislative Assembly for the official welcoming ceremony to Saskatchewan. This event includes a visit to the Legislative Chamber, where Their Royal Highnesses will attend a Diamond Jubilee Medals ceremony and present medals to recipients who, like Her Majesty, have dedicated themselves to service to their fellow citizens, their community, and their country. Their Royal Highnesses will also unveil a plaque commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Legislative Assembly and Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee as well as the design of the Assembly’s new Black Rod. They will also present the Assembly with wood from the Duchy of Cornwall estate.

12:15 p.m. – Reception Hosted by the Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan at Government House

Their Royal Highnesses arrive at Government House to officially open the Diamond Jubilee Exhibit and join the At Home with Saskatchewan Leaders reception hosted by the Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan.

1:30 p.m. – Tour of First Nations University

Their Royal Highnesses visit First Nations University to recognize the importance of First Nations culture and traditions in defining Canada’s national identity. Their Royal Highnesses will take in a musical performance by an Aboriginal drum group before taking part in a discussion with First Nations and Métis representatives. Their Royal Highnesses will also meet with Aboriginal youth leaders and alumni to learn about heritage preservation, Aboriginal entrepreneurship, and mentorship programs available at the university that focus on community rejuvenation and innovative social programming.

2:45 p.m. – Tour of Ground Effects Environmental Services

His Royal Highness, accompanied by the Minister of Environment for Saskatchewan, tours Ground Effects’ ElectroPure water treatment facility, meeting with staff to learn about groundbreaking technologies that are used at the facility to clean up ground water contamination.

4:00 p.m. – His Royal Highnesses Meets with Prime Minister Harper

His Royal Highness holds a private audience with Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

4:50 p.m. – His Royal Highnesses Meets with the Governor General

His Royal Highness holds a private audience with Governor General David Johnston .

7:10 p.m. – Diamond Jubilee Concert at RCMP Depot Division Drill Hall Hosted by the Government of Canada

The Government of Canada hosts a concert by the Regina Symphony Orchestra at the RCMP Depot Division Drill Hall in honour of the 2012 Royal Tour of Their Royal Highnesses to mark the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty The Queen. This event will provide Their Royal Highnesses with the opportunity to enjoy a performance of the Regina Symphony Orchestra for the first time since His Royal Highness became the ensemble’s patron in 2008.

8:50 p.m. – Official Farewell to Canada and Saskatchewan ceremony

The Governor General, the Prime Minister, the Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan, and the Premier of Saskatchewan bid farewell to Their Royal Highnesses at the Official Departure Ceremony complete with full military honours, a 21-gun salute, the breaking of His Royal Highness’ personal Canadian flag, and an inspection of the Guard of Honour by His Royal Highness.

Dr. Oetker creates a portrait of the Queen using cupcakes. (Photo: YouTube)

Bakery Dr. Oetker in the U.K. has created a cupcake creation to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

They partnered with food artist Prudence Staite to create the portrait made entirely of 2,012 cupcakes. The creation, which includes fancy cupcakes (not just simple ones thrown together), is made up of more than 50 kg of regal-icing, 40 tubes of red and blue gel food colouring, 10 cans of gold and silver shimmer spray, 12,000 soft gold pearls, and 48,000 silver pearls.

Can’t get enough cake news? Then have you heard a piece of the wedding cake served at Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, and Prince William’s reception in April 2011 is up for sale? Bids are at about $2,500. Read more of this story!