Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, spent time with members of Canada’s Reserve Forces during his visit to Toronto, meeting with soldiers from two historic Army Reserve units. The visits highlighted the vital role Reserve Forces play in Canada’s military capability. Reserve members balance civilian careers with military service, create a bridge between military and civilian communities while maintaining operational readiness for deployments worldwide.
Prince Harry met with soldiers from the Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada and the Royal Regiment of Canada. Lieutenant-Colonel Chris Boileau, Commanding Officer of the Queen’s Own Rifles, and Lieutenant-Colonel Adam West, Commanding Officer of the Royal Regiment of Canada, discussed their units’ recent deployments and ongoing contributions to Canadian military operations worldwide.
The Queen’s Own Rifles, founded in 1860, is Canada’s oldest continuously serving infantry regiment. Riflemen from the unit have recently deployed to Afghanistan, Iraq, and Poland, among other operations. Lieutenant-Colonel Boileau, who deployed to Baghdad in 2016 under Operation IMPACT and to Warsaw in 2022 for Operation UNIFIER, shared insights about training efforts for the Armed Forces.
The Royal Regiment of Canada, one of the country’s oldest infantry regiments, has participated in nearly every major Canadian military operation since the Fenian Raids of 1866. Lieutenant-Colonel West, who deployed to Afghanistan in 2006 as a Force Protection platoon commander, discussed how regiment members continue to deploy on operations including Operation IMPACT in Iraq, Operation REASSURANCE in Latvia, and Operation UNIFIER in support of Ukraine.
Chief Warrant Officer Justin Thorn and Chief Warrant Officer Mariangeles Najlis, the Regimental Sergeant Majors of the Queen’s Own Rifles and Royal Regiment respectively, spoke about the unique challenges and the great rewards of Reserve service. Both senior non-commissioned officers balance military leadership with civilian law enforcement careers while mentoring the next generation of soldiers.
At one of the largest of the Royal Canadian Navy’s 24 Reserve divisions, Prince Harry met with Commander Paul Smith, who made history as the first Black commanding officer of the unit in 2021 and the first Black Commanding Officer of a Canadian warship in 2014. Commander Smith and Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class Andrew Payton provided an overview of the unit’s mission to train and deploy sailors for Royal Canadian Navy operations while maintaining a strategic presence in Canada’s largest city.
Prince Harry observed demonstrations from the base’s dive team, deck team weapons display, operations team, and band members, speaking with personnel in attendance about their dual roles as reservists and civilians. Some families joined the visit, reflecting the community that supports Reserve service members. The base currently consists of 335 members from the greater Toronto area who serve part-time while maintaining civilian careers—a tradition dating back to the Second World War, when over 16,000 people joined the Navy through the unit.
Prince Harry’s engagement with these units acknowledged the dual commitment required of reservists and the families who support them. Through training, deployments, and domestic operations, reservists contribute essential capabilities to the Canadian Armed Forces while remaining deeply connected to their local communities. The visit took place as part of his time in Toronto at the invitation of True Patriot Love, Canada’s national foundation for the military and Veteran community. Nick Booth, CEO of True Patriot Love, was also present.
Photo Credit: Laura Proctor
