Governor-General Michaelle Jean and Prince Charles speak with veterans after a Remembrance Day ceremony in Ottawa on Wednesday, November 11, 2009.Adrian Wyld
Governor-General Michaëlle Jean was in a green Canadian Forces uniform at today's Remembrance Day ceremonies, breaking with her past practice of wearing civilian clothes to the annual event.
According to her office, this is the third time Ms. Jean has worn a Canadian Forces uniform. She wore a Forces uniform in Afghanistan during her September visit and a naval uniform in June in Halifax for the consecration of the Maritime Command Queen's Colour.
"For the Governor-General, wearing the uniform is a way of paying tribute to the Canadian Forces," said Ms. Jean's spokesperson, Marthe Blouin.
As commander-in-chief of the Canadian Forces, the Governor-General can wear a uniform but it's a practice that had become less common over the years.
Roland Michener, the governor-general from 1967 to 1974, and his predecessor George Vanier (1959-1967), both wore a uniform regularly and most governors-general have worn a uniform at some point.
Bill Curry