Witness to Royalty: Ottawa, Canada, May 26 - 27, 2025
Through the Canadian Forces Artists Program (CFAP), I was granted a rare and extraordinary opportunity: to be embedded with the 3rd Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment to witness the recent King Charles III and Queen Camilla Royal Visit to Ottawa. Selected via the CFAP process, I received privileged photographic access—under strict military security protocols—to document this historic two-day Royal Visit in its entirety.
From start to finish, I captured every moment: the meticulous rehearsals, the airport arrival (including a brief on-site interview with Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak), the ceremonial tree-planting at Rideau Hall, the Senate procession, the inspection of the Guard, the resounding 21-gun salute, the flypast overhead, and the solemn wreath-laying at the National War Memorial.
I am deeply honoured to have witnessed and recorded these events at such a pivotal time—one when Canada’s sovereignty felt genuinely under threat. The resulting body of work will be presented in a dedicated museum exhibition in Fall 2027, organized by CFAP.
Stay tuned: more to come as this project unfolds toward its Fall 2027 museum debut.
A letter from Alison Campbell, Program Manager, CFAP
National Defence Défense
Nationale Directorate of History and Heritage
National Defence Headquarters
101 Colonel By Drive
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0K2
9 December 2025
I am writing this letter on behalf of Carole Freeman, a volunteer artist contracted (25-27 May 2025) by the Canadian Forces Artists Program, to observe the activities of the visit to Ottawa of King Charles III from 26-27 May 2025.
As a participant in the Canadian Forces Artists Program, Carole shadowed members of the Canadian Armed Forces as they supported the Royal Visit. Carole recorded the event with a series of photographs that will be used as the background material for a larger body of paintings that will reflect this monumental visit and the role the CAF played in events of the two-day visit. These works will then be exhibited as part of the Canadian Forces Artists Program Group 11 Exhibition in 2027.
Carole approached this opportunity with both artistic professionalism as well as respect for the members of the CAF she interacted with. We greatly look forward to the body of work that stems from this rich experience. Working with Carole for this Canadian Forces Artists Program opportunity was a pleasure. I appreciate her passion, eagerness, and gratitude she had for this experience we were able to provide for her.
