Prince Charles, heir to the British throne, and his wife Camilla arrived in Newfoundland province Monday for the start of a Canadian tour and a look into Camilla's roots.

Prince Charles said in a speech that his 15th trip to Canada is "something rather special."

"But more special still, if I may say so, is the opportunity to introduce my wife to Canada for her first ever visit," he added.

The couple were greeted by Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Governor General Michaelle Jean and other officials, and entertained at a local stadium by aboriginal drum dancers, a youth choir and a military band.

Tuesday, they will visit Canada's oldest English settlement in Cupids, which is celebrating its 400th anniversary next year, and Brigus, home of famed Arctic explorer Captain Robert Bartlett, before heading across Canada.

From November 2-12, Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall are to visit 12 Canadian cities and communities, touring the 2010 Olympic Village in Vancouver and meeting with opposition leader Michael Ignatieff.

But the highlight of the trip for Camilla is expected to be a tour of Dundurn Castle in Hamilton, Ontario, built in 1835 for her great-great-great-grand-father and former prime minister of the united Province of Canada, Sir Alan MacNab.

"For my wife, it is both figuratively and literally true that Canada is in her blood since she has the good fortune to be a great, great, great granddaughter of the prime minister of the united Province of Canada, Sir Alan MacNab who lived in Hamilton, Ontario," said Prince Charles.

"We are both eagerly looking forward to discovering those family roots and of seeing her forbears' home in a few day's time."