Despite wet and windy November weather, Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, arrived in Victoria yesterday afternoon to a warm welcome from a cheering crowd of more than 2,000 people.

The royal couple’s plane touched down at Victoria airport at 3:45 p.m., about 20 minutes behind schedule, and they came down the stairs under umbrellas. Camilla and Charles were then driven to the legislature, where the crowd burst into applause as they stepped from their limousine.

Premier Gordon Campbell and his wife Nancy greeted the couple, chatting as they introduced them to a long line of dignitaries. The royal couple watched a welcome dance by the Esquimalt First Nations dancers before moving to a brightly lit tent in front of the legislature.

“Your Highnesses, it gives us all great pleasure to welcome you here to Victoria, B.C.,” Campbell told the royal couple, as people waved small Canadian flags.

“Everywhere you turn in this capital city, you will find reflections of our past and your traditions. From our parliament, to our tea at the Empress, to our buses, you will see reflections of our long-standing British heritage and all that it has offered us.

“And we want to particularly thank you for bringing the Duchess of Cornwall for her first official visit to the province of B.C.,” said Campbell, as the crowd cheered its approval.

Charles told the crowd it was his wife’s first opportunity to experience “the wonderful warmth of a Victoria welcome, for which we are deeply grateful.”

Although Campbell had told the crowd Charles was on his fourth official visit to B.C., Charles said he thought it was his fifth or sixth.

“The premier tells me it’s my fourth. It’s what happens as you get older,” said the prince, drawing laughs from the crowd.

“The last time I was here was in 1998, when I brought my two sons to ski at Whistler — something they particularly enjoyed, and partly, I suspect, because they had just reached the age when they could easily overtake their slow old father on the ski slopes. As a result, we have many happy memories of your province and of the great kindness and friendship shown to us by its people,” said Charles.

The duchess met at least one old school chum as she walked through the crowd. Charlotte Ericson was waiting under a red umbrella, hoping Camilla would recognize her and have a chat.

Forty-six years ago, Ericson met Camilla at Mon Fertile finishing school in Switzerland, where they learned to ski, skate, swim, sew, type, play tennis and speak French.

“I have really happy memories of those times,” said Ericson.

“I remember all of us sitting on the floor and playing games. And I remember Camilla made a very nice dress in sewing that she was proud to model.”

To help the duchess recognize her, Ericson held up a bright yellow sign: “Camilla! Lottie here! Remember Mon Fertile Switzerland 1963-1964?”

Camilla came over to say hello.

“It was really neat, but how could she miss me?” Ericson said, laughing. “How could she miss me with that big sign?”

Matt Thirkell, who brought several cubs and scouts from the 12th Garry Oak group, said his young charges seemed excited about the occasion. “I think they had a sense that they could be seeing the future king.”

Elaine and Dan Metzger didn’t want to pass up a chance to see Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall.

“They don’t take a good picture, so I wanted to see them for myself,” Elaine Metzger said. “I’ve heard they look much better in person.”

England-born Susan Mathieson, who was at the legislature with her nine-year-old granddaughter, Hannah, was also pleased to see the royal couple.

“I like Camilla. I think he suits her and she suits him, and they always did.”

Charles and Camilla will tour Victoria and Vancouver until Monday.