Prince Charles praised the strength of Albertans in light of the floods and expressed his admiration for Calgarians' ability to get back on the saddle so quickly and set the Stampede off on time.
"Coming so soon after the devastating floods which inundated Alberta last month, this has been a most testing time for Canadians and our thoughts and sympathy are very much with the Canadian people," he said.
"However, seeing the quite extraordinary efforts which have led to the Calgary Stampede being opened on time this weekend, it is only too clear how courageous and resourceful Canadians are and we have nothing but the greatest admiration for such determination and resilience in the face of terrible adversity," he added.
The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall shared their thoughts with Canadians, who have been left reeling following the floods and the Lac-Mégantic explosion, in a letter circulated by David Johnston, Governor General of Canada.
The couple was moved by the disaster in Quebec, which saw a train carrying crude oil speed out of control over the weekend and explode in the centre of Lac-Mégantic, killing 15 and leaving approximately 50 people missing.
"“I wanted you to know how deeply my wife and I feel for the people of the Québécois community of Lac-Mégantic who are suffering from the appalling disaster which has engulfed their town ," the letter reads.
"We can only begin to imagine what they are going through and our hearts go out to all those who have been affected by such a dreadful tragedy."
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