LONDON, 15 May 2008 - RBC Capital Markets, the corporate and investment banking arm of Royal Bank of Canada (RY on TSX and NYSE), today held its annual diamond conference in London. Among those companies presenting was Apollo Diamond Gemstone Corporation, one of only two producers of "cultured" diamonds globally, and the technological pioneer of Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD) Diamond Growing technology.

Bryant Linares, President of Apollo Diamond Gemstone Inc., said:  "I see Apollo as being akin to the California wine makers.  At first, some would only drink Bordeaux but, in the end, California expanded the market for wine.  I suspect the same will happen with man-made diamonds."

Like pearls, diamonds can now be grown artificially in laboratories to produce both gem-quality diamonds and diamonds for industrial uses, including optics and electronics. This is a high-tech business which requires significant future investment - the processes are still variable and being perfected.

Des Kilalea, Analyst, Global Mining Research at RBC Capital Markets believes that "With the supply of rough gems likely to fall short of forecast demand in the next five to seven years, synthetic (or "cultured") diamonds represent an emerging and exciting new component of the diamond industry, offering a partial solution to the problem of satisfying rising demand in certain categories.  But they are no substitute for high-quality natural diamonds.

"Although "cultured" diamonds are chemically and structurally identical to diamonds from the ground they are unlikely to directly compete with mined diamonds, whose long-term prognosis remains positive. Synthetics cannot compete with natural stones in terms of emotional and intrinsic value. However they overcome the traditional challenges facing traditional mining such as locating new sources, long lead times to production, finite life of a mine, environmental and political risks."

RBC Capital Markets' second annual Diamond Conference "A Jewel of an Opportunity" took place on Thursday 15 May 2008 at HM Tower of London.  The conference brought together the senior management of the world's leading diamond corporations, from exploration to mining to polishing and retailing. Other speakers included: De Beers, Rio Tinto and Harry Winston Diamond Corporation.

The conference contents will be available via audio-only webcast from Friday 16 May via our website at www.rbccm.com

- ends -

Media Enquiries:

Greentarget, London

Anna Watson

Telephone: +44 (0)20 7680 5052

RBC Capital Markets London

Louisa Fairman / Beverley Weber

Telephone:        +44 (0)20 7029 7821/ 7685

Notes to Editors

About RBC Capital Markets Metals and Mining

RBC Capital Markets is a globally recognized leader in metals, mining and commodities with offices in London, New York, Sydney, and Toronto. RBC covers the full spectrum of metals and minerals and provides equity research on 135 global mining stocks. RBC acts as a Sponsor for the London Main Market as well as being a NOMAD on AIM and a member of the London Metal Exchange.

About RBC Capital Markets

RBC Capital Markets is the corporate and investment banking arm of RBC and is active globally in fixed income, foreign exchange, infrastructure finance, metals, mining and energy. Our international fixed income and treasury businesses are managed from London, which is the centre of a 24-hour trading platform with major hubs in Toronto, New York and Sydney.  For more information, please visit www.rbccm.com

05/15/2008