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Monarch Madness to follow Prince Philip’s whirlwind visit to Canada

Canada is set catch a bad case of Monarchy Madness, when the latest visit by a member of the Royal Family begins later today.

No, it’s not Prince William and Kate Middleton, nor is it that scamp Harry. It is Philip. Prince Philip, the 91-year-old husband to Queen Elizabeth II who most recently made an extended appearance in hospital for a bladder infection.

Hold onto something, it is going to be like the Beatles have landed.

The Duke of Edinburgh will meet with Gov. Gen. David Johnson Friday afternoon in the first stop on a weekend whirlwind visit to Ontario.

The key reason for the trip: Presenting a new Regimental Colour to the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Canadian Regiment (3RCR), of which Philip has stood as the colonel-in-chief since 1953. It will be a massive affair involving pomp, circumstance and marching.

[ Related: Prince Philip's love affair with Canada ]

And why does 3RCR need new Colours – the honourary flag considered a sacred totem to the regiment – you may ask. Because their current ones are tattered.

Lt.-Col. David Quick told the Daily Observer this week:

The colours have been damaged sadly, for over seven years. It’s a very important product of our battalion and our regiment; the colours are really the cornerstone of the field battalion. So to focus our attention and efforts on preparing to receive them in the right way speaks to the way it resonates with the soldiers.

This writer is a proud supporter of Canada’s military history, so don’t take this the wrong way. But for context: A 91-year-old man in questionable health is travelling across the ocean to another country for 48 hours because a piece of fabric was torn seven years ago.

If ever there was a reason for loosening the ties between Canada and the crown, perhaps we’ve found it.

[ More Brew: ‘When, not if’ Canada cuts ties to Queen, anti-monarchist says ]

To Philip’s credit, his love of Canada seems genuine and entirely separate from his role as consort to its Queen. As CBC News points out, he has visited the country more than 70 times and has taken keen interest in our military as well as various charitable groups and organizations.

It is certainly a distinct honour for the men and women of the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Canadian Regiment to have him here this weekend. But does the value of the trip go further than that?

The Globe and Mail fawned over his visit on Friday and urged the government to break the rules and name him to the Order of Canada. Philip is not a Canadian citizen and therefore not eligible. But that shouldn't stop us.

The Globe writes:

The Duke of Edinburgh is only eligible to receive an honorary version of the Order that is conferred on foreigners. It is beneath him. He deserves full honours based on his many merits and contributions to Canada.

There comes a moment when institutions need to wriggle free of the red tape that binds them.

If anyone knows about institutional red tape, it is the Royal Family. It is what keeps them relevant in Canada. One doubts Philip would like those ties loosened now.

(Photo courtesy of The Official Website of The British Monarchy)