Sunday 25 September 2016

The Cambridges arrive in Canada


The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince George of Cambridge and Princess Charlotte of Cambridge arrive in Canada for their seven day tour
(photo The Crown in Canada Twitter)

It's all under way. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, with Prince George and Princess Charlotte, have arrived in Canada for the start of a seven day visit that has already attracted huge interest from around the world. All in blue, the Cambridge family have got a global royal event under way.





William, Kate, George and Charlotte touched down in Victoria, British Colombia on a cool, grey afternoon but there was no missing this family of four as they stepped out in a very royal shade of blue and managed to negotiate the never easy airplane steps while all holding hands without so much as a wobble. It was a good start all round.




On had to meet the royal party was the Governor General of Canada, David Johnston, and his wife, Sheila but king in waiting, George, had his eye on someone else almost as soon as he stepped off the plane. A cheeky wave while mum and dad were talking to the grown ups seemed to be aimed at Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, and his wife, Sophie who were part of the official welcome too.



The children were then taken off to their home for the next week while dad and mum got down to the serious stuff of official welcomes. 





But George and Charlotte weren't far from their thoughts. As William addressed the crowd that had turned out to see them in Victoria, he said that as well as being delighted to be back in Canada, he and Kate were 'so pleased that George and Charlotte can be with us....beginning their own lifetime of friendship with this wonderful country'.



William also spoke in French before reminding all those listening that he and his family wanted to meet as many people as possible during their stay in Canada. Given the turnout and huge interest in this tour, that won't be too big an ask.



There were also words of welcome from the Governor of Canada who said that ''when we last welcomed you to Canada in 2011, you were on your very first tour as a married couple. Now, you've come back as a family and we couldn't be happier''.  Justin Trudeau told them 'I am confident that wherever you go, Canadians will make you feel right at home'.



The Duchess of Cambridge receives flowers from Vicky whose wish was granted by the charity, Children's Wish
(photo The Crown in Canada Twitter)



The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge laid a wreath at the warm memorial outside the British Colombia Government Buildings.



(photo Kensington Palace Twitter)

There was also time for a walkabout where a sizeable crowd got a chance to chat, cheer and take photographs before it was inside for more official welcomes.




There were meetings with Justin and Sophie Trudeau and with David and Sheila Johnston before William and Kate could head off to the kids and get ready for this tour - George's second and Charlotte's debut.



The first full day of the tour will be spent in Vancouver where William and Kate will visit an initiative helping pregnant women with drink and drug issues, attend a reception for young people in the area, visit the Immigration Services Society and then spend time learning about a programme to help people working in safety on the coastline with mental health problems. Everyone take a deep breath, Royal Tour Canada is here.

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