Prince Charles dressed for the occasion Monday — in a Canadian naval uniform — for his last official engagement of a four-day visit to B.C.

The prince and his wife, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, visited CFB Esquimalt to mark the upcoming centenary in 2010 of the Canadian navy. The drizzle prompted the duchess to use a clear plastic umbrella while the prince reacted with humour, comparing the wet weather to that in Britain.

“I must take this opportunity if I may, to say what a great joy it is for my wife and I to join you on a day that has some glorious familiarity in terms of the weather,” said Charles. “It wouldn’t be the same, if I may say so, without a little bit of rain.”

Attending the ceremony were political representatives, military officials, sea cadets, veterans and families of military members. Charles chatted with sailors standing at attention in the guard of honour as well as members of the Naden Band.

In his speech, the prince recalled is own days serving in the Royal Navy alongside the Canadian navy “and trying not to run into them at sea.”

Charles, who served as a pilot from 1971-76 in the navy, also recalled his British navy vessel stopping at Halifax so Canadian repair crews could help remove a rope tangled in the propeller.

“I have nothing but the greatest pride in what my regiment and the rest of the Canadian Forces achieve all around the world,” he said. “I know how busy you all are and I cannot possibly congratulate you enough for the service you provide.”

This is the first time Charles has worn a Canadian naval uniform in his capacity as honorary vice-admiral, noted Jason Kenney, federal citizenship and immigration minister.

“The presence of your Royal Highnesses is a reminder of how strong the connection is between our royal family and the Canadian navy,” said Kenney, who was on hand representing Defence Minister Peter MacKay.

Charles is honorary vice-admiral of the Canadian navy and colonel-in-chief for seven Canadian regiments.

The chief of maritime staff, Vice-Admiral Dean McFadden, bestowed the second clasp to the prince’s Canadian Forces decoration, recognizing his 32 years of honorary service.

Prince Charles said he wears his Canadian medal “with great pride all the time,” and was “touched, flattered, honoured” to receive the complementing clasp.

The brief visit “was profound in its importance,” said Rear-Admiral Tyrone Pile, commander of Maritime Forces Pacific: “His Royal Highness has honoured all of us by wearing the uniform of the Canadian navy ... for the first time.”

During the royals’ visit to the base, Charles watched as a flag commemorating the navy’s centenary was hoisted for the first time at Duntz Head as HMCS Winnipeg sailed into Esquimalt Harbour. Then the royal couple viewed several English oak trees planted to mark the centennial.

They then travelled by motorcade to Victoria International Airport and received some parting gifts from the province, before boarding a Canadian Forces 310 Airbus at 12:30 p.m., bound for Ottawa. They will spend some time in Ottawa, Petawawa, Ont., and Montreal before flying back to England on Thursday. They arrived in Canada the previous Monday, and visited Newfoundland and Toronto before coming to B.C.

smcculloch@tc.canwest.com