Nov 4, 2009, 11:32 GMT
The initial day of Britain's Prince Charles' tour of Canada was disrupted by swine flu.
The heir to the English throne and his wife Camilla were met by a crowd of only 50 well wishers on their first day of their 11-day sightseeing tour of the country.
Residents of Cupids - famous for being the country's oldest permanent English settlement - reportedly stayed away from the official visit because of the illness sweeping the country.
Royalists have also raised concerned Prince Charles' trip could end in disaster after a poll by Toronto firm Navigator concluded he isn't popular with the Canadian public.
The Prince of Wales is said t be keen to introduce Camilla to the nation so they will accept her as queen if he becomes king - even though she has insisted she will use the title of princess.
Cupids Resident Margaret Rosse, 61 - a lifelong fan of the British royal family - defended the poor turn-out, saying: "A lot of people, their hearts are with the Royal Family but they don't want to risk coming out because of swine flu. That's got everybody scared."
Swine flu claimed its first Canadian victim at the weekend when a 13-year-old boy died from the highly contagious disease.
The royal pair's visit to Canada had started off well, with a greeting by Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
He told them: "Given our long attachment to the royal family, these visits have always been regarded as homecomings by many Canadians. Our home is your home."
Prince Charles said he was keen to meet as many Canadians as possible during his time in the country.
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