OTTAWA - The future heir to the British throne will be returning to Canada next year to mark the 60th anniversary of the Queen's coronation.

Prince Charles and his wife, the Duchess of Cornwall, will launch a three-province Canadian tour in May.

Members of the royal family will be fanning out across the globe as part of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations, with royal luminaries paying visits to all countries where the Queen is head of state.

Charles and Camilla will also make stops in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.

Word that the heir to the throne would be visiting New Brunswick, Ontario and Saskatchewan was warmly welcomed by Governor General David Johnston.

"We're very excited that there will be a royal visit that we are all looking forward to," Johnston said while visiting the Canadian Space Agency in Montreal.

Carolyn Harris, a royal scholar with Queen's University, said the decision to delegate the Canadian jubilee celebrations to such a high-ranking royal sends a clear signal about the country's importance to the monarchy.

While the upcoming tour may lack the glamour that characterized Prince William and Kate's whirlwind visit last July, Harris said Charles' pending trip carries historical significance.

"Often when you have a reign that is this long, and this happened during Queen Victoria's reign, it's difficult to imagine the monarchy without that long-reigning monarch," she said.

"By showcasing the younger members of the Royal family, there's an attempt to show what the future of the monarchy will be."

Canada has long been regarded as an ideal destination for high-profile royal visits, Harris said, adding William and Kate's successful visit has only strengthened that reputation. The Diamond Jubilee celebrations will see the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge tour more exotic locales, including Singapore, the Solomon Islands and Tuvalu.

The global nature of the anniversary festivities forms a stark contrast with the only other Diamond Jubilee in British history, Harris said.

In 1897, when Queen Victoria had reached 60 years on the throne, commonwealth leaders were invited to travel to London to partake in celebrations in the heart of the British Empire.

The more global approach used in 2012 recognizes the monarchy's different place in the world while still honouring the significance of the occasion, Harris said.

The only royal to remain close to home will be the Queen herself. She and Prince Philip will limit their travels to the United Kingdom during the Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

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• The Royals Leave Canada

  Will and Kate wave goodbye to Calgary as they conclude their royal Canadian tour.

• The Royals Sign The Guest Book

  William and Kate sign the guest book at the ENMAX Conservatory in Calgary with Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach, left, and Lt. Gov. Donald S. Ethell.

• Kate Meets Frances Miller

  The Duchess of Cambridge meets with Frances Miller as she prepares to leave Calgary with her husband to head to Los Angeles.

• The Portraits Of Honour

  Prince William and Catherine view the Portraits of Honour on display at their official departure ceremony in Calgary.

• The Royals In The Conservatory

  William and Catherine tour the ENMAX Conservatory at the Calgary Zoo.

• Kate Arrives At The Zoo

  The Duchess of Cambridge visits the ENMAX Conservatory at the Calgary Zoo.

• The Royals And Stelmach

  Will and Kate speak with Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach at the ENMAX Conservatory in Calgary.

• Will And Kate In Matching Hats

  The Royals at the Calgary Stampede Parade.

• Royal Greeting

  Will and Kate wave to the crowd while at the Calgary Stampede parade.

• The Royals Watch The RCMP

  Will and Kate watch the RCMP march in the Calgary Stampede parade.

• The Royals Watch The Parade

  The Duke and Duchess watch the beginning of the Calgary Stampede parade.

• The Duke Arrives

  Prince William arrives in cowboy gear to the Calgary Stampede parade.

• The Royals Push The Button

  Will and Kate push a button to start the Calgary Stampede parade.

• The Rodeo Shocks Kate

  The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge watch a rodeo demonstration at the Calgary Stampede.

• Kate And A Calgarian

  The Duchess of Cambridge speaks with a little girl while at the Stampede.

• The Duchess Receives Flowers

  Catherine meets well-wishes and receives flowers at a Government Reception in Calgary.

• The Government Reception

  A view of the Government Reception at the BMO Centre in Calgary.

• Kate Checks Her Hat

  Will and Kate watch Stampede activities in Calgary at the BMO Centre.

• Will Tips His Hat

  Prince William during a speech at the Calgary Stampede.

• The Royals At The BMO Centre

  Will and Kate watch traditional Calgary Stampede activities.

• Will Gets Down To Work

  Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, throws a barrel into the back of a chuckwagon during his visit to the Calgary Stampede on Thursday, July 7, 2011, in Calgary, Alberta.

• Royal Tour Canada

  Prince William and Kate, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, arrive via stage coach for a reception at the BMO Centre in Calgary, Canada as they continue their Royal Tour of Canada Thursday, July 7, 2011.

• The Royals And Harper

  Prime Minister Stephen Harper, second from right, Prince William and Kate, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and Laureen Harper, left, watch a child sheep ride event at the Stampede in Calgary, Alberta on Thursday, July 7, 2011.

• Stampede Dancer

  Prince William and Kate, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper watch dancers while attending a reception at the Calgary Stampede on Thursday, July 7, 2011 in Calgary, Alberta.

• The Royals Go Western

  Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, wear their new Smithbilt cowboy hats as they watch a rodeo demonstration in Calgary, Alberta, July 7, 2011.

• The Royals Wave To Admirers

  Prince William and Kate after a tour of the 21st Century Research and Innovation Centre in Calgary.

• Will Waves From The Car

  Prince William waves from his car with Kate on the eighth day of their Canadian tour.

• The Duke And Duchess Are Greeted

  Prince William and Kate are greeted when arriving at 21st Century Research and Innovation Centre Calgary.

• Kate Inspects A Mannequin

  Kate follows her husbands lead and saves the life of a medical test mannequin at the University of Calgary.

• Will And Kate Tour U of C

  Prince William and Kate are shown how to save a life with a medical test mannequin at the University of Calgary's Ward of the 21st Century.

• The Royals And RCMP In Calgary

  Prince William and Catherine look at a RCMP officer after arriving in Calgary.

• A Calgary Chinook?

  Kate's hair doesn't agree with the wind as the Royals land in Calgary for the final stretch of their Canadian tour.

• Will Meets Shy Calgarian

  Prince William meets -- or tries to meet -- shy 6-year-old Diamond Marshall in Calgary.

• Catherine Gets A Hug

  Kate hugs 6-year-old Diamond Marshall in Calgary after arriving.

• Kate Is Greeted

  The Duchess meets with shy 6-year-old Diamond Marshall in Calgary.

• Will, Kate And Flight Crew

  The Royals get their photo taken with flight crew members as they arrive in Calgary.

• Will Gets A White Hat

  Prince William is presented with a white cowboy hat from Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi.

• The Royals Land In Calgary

  The Royals land in Calgary for the last Canadian city on their tour of the country.

• Royal Tour

  Prince William and Kate, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, pose for a photo with members of the Canadian Forces flight crew upon their arrival in Calgary, Alberta on Thursday, July 7, 2011.