The red carpet was out for Princess Margriet of the Netherlands as she began a four-day visit to Canada to commemorate the end of the Second World War in Europe.

The princess and her husband, Pieter van Vollenhoven, are visiting Montreal and Ottawa during their trip.

Montreal Mayor Gerald Tremblay gave the princess a tour of City Hall, including the balcony where Charles de Gaulle gave his famous speech in support of Quebec separatism.

The princess added her name to the list of dignatories who have been welcomed to Montreal.

On Wednesday, Princess Margriet will meet Canadian veterans at a hospital in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec, before travelling on to Ottawa. There she will tour the new Canadian War Museum, unveil a plaque commemorating the liberation of the Netherlands, and visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier for a wreath-laying ceremony.

"Canadians have long held a special place in their hearts for Princess Margriet, her family and the people of the Netherlands," said Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew in a statement prior to the royal visit.

"Not only did the Dutch royal family take refuge in our country during the German occupation of the Netherlands, but more than 7,600 Canadians gave their lives to help liberate that country. We are very pleased she will be here to help us celebrate our shared history and the end of World War II."

On May 8, just before their visit to Canada, Princess Margriet and her husband participated in VE-Day celebrations in Apeldoorn.

Canadian veterans were honoured for their role in liberating the Netherlands from Nazi rule in 1945.