The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall have joined Canada's Prime Minister and hundreds of thousands of people at a star-studded event to mark the nation's 150th birthday.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau kicked off the celebrations at the open-air event in the capital Ottawa by saying: "Canada is a country made strong not in spite of our differences but because of them.

"We don't aspire to be a melting pot. Indeed, we know true strength and resilience flows through Canadian diversity.

"Ours is a land of original peoples and of newcomers. And our greatest pride is that you can come here from anywhere in the world, build a good life, and be part of our community."

Prince Charles, who shared the stage with Mr Trudeau, praised the Commonwealth nation for their positive attributes, from championing human rights to being responsible stewards of the environment.


Image: Charles and Camilla with the Prime Minister and his family

The Prince told the thousands gathered on Parliament Hill: "We should be clear and proud that we are celebrating a country that others look to for example.

"An example of fairness and inclusion; of always striving to be better.

"Around the world Canada is recognised as a champion of human rights, as a peace-keeper, a responsible steward of the environment and natural resources, and as a powerful and consistent example of diversity and the power of inclusion."

The heir to the throne ended by telling the crowds: "Happy birthday, Canada."

'Living' maple leaf marks Canada's 150th birthday

Bono and The Edge, from the band U2, headlined the event, playing their song One Love and the Lennon and McCartney track Rain, which fitted the mood of the day with the city drenched by downpours.

The singer joked with Charles and Camilla, whose three-day tour of Canada is coming to an end, saying: "Your Highnesses, your Canadianesses, thank-you for having us."

He added: "The Irish have been welcomed here for hundreds of years and still now, from the famine, where we were in many respects refugees, to now, we arrive by choice bringing ingenious little starts ups and approximately 17,165 Irish pubs."