Canada to restore 'royal' designation

OTTAWA – Canada’s Conservative government, stressing traditional ties to Britain’s Queen Elizabeth and the monarchy, is reinstating…

OTTAWA – Canada’s Conservative government, stressing traditional ties to Britain’s Queen Elizabeth and the monarchy, is reinstating the names Royal Canadian Air Force and Royal Canadian Navy after a gap of 43 years.

The Liberals removed the “royal” designation in 1968 when they amalgamated the armed services and called it the Canadian Forces. Queen Elizabeth is Canada’s head of state and a tour by Prince William and wife Kate last month revived interest in the monarchy.