The last time the royal couple visited Canada was 2011, right after their spectacular wedding.
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The couple’s children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, were not part of the official welcome and they are not expected to feature prominently during the visit.
Several thousand people waited for the royal couple for an official welcoming ceremony at the British Columbia legislature. Crowds of frenzied teenage girls greeted the princes in Vancouver then, cementing William’s status as a teen heartthrob. The morning party will be an exciting time for royal watchers to catch a glimpse of the little Prince and Princess, to see how much they’ve grown, and see them bonding with other children during their playdate.
“I think there’s a big competition there!”
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have spoken of their excited children during the first day of their tour to Canada, joking they hoped the youngsters were not “tearing up Government House” in their absence.
– After the ceremony, the duke and duchess will receive Gov. -Gen. The Duke and Duchess proceeded to the BC Legislature where they first laid a wreath at the cenotaph and war memorial on the Legislature grounds.
After a children’s chorus sang the Canadian national anthem, William and Kate exchanged greetings with locals.
For many, it’s a connection to William’s mother, the late Princess Dianna, that brought them here.
“It’s absolutely wonderful”, he said.
“And in the year of the Queen’s 90th birthday, I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to thank the people of Canada for the warmth and generosity they’ve extended to my grandmother throughout her reign”.
Also meeting the royal pair were Afghanistan veterans Cpl.
Their Royal Canadian Air Force jet landed in Victoria, Canada on Saturday, where all eyes were on 16-month-old Princess Charlotte, who was making her third public appearance.
Watch Dawna Friesen’s report above to hear from an outreach worker at Victoria’s Cridge Centre, which is one of the stops during Will and Kate’s royal visit to British Columbia.
Waiting at the bottom of the plane’s steps to greet them was Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife Sophie Gregoire, who was equally as stylish as Catherine.
After a smooth plane ride, the family of four was spotted holding hands as they exited their plane. The young prince waved at onlookers from the runway apron. Looking regal as can be, Kate wore a stunning navy midi-dress while carrying her darling daughter Charlotte.
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The Vancouver Sun’s Steven Hume said locals in Victoria, where the Duke and Duchess will arrive, were “still insane for” the royals although the proportion of people with British roots had declined.
