The public will only see the children once at their departure on October 1 and the media will only see the kids a few times during an eight-day visit.
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In Victoria’s inner harbour, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will see two of the city’s most prominent landmarks – the Fairmont Empress Hotel, named after Queen Victoria’s additional title Empress of India, and the provincial parliament buildings, both of which were built by British architect Francis Rattenbury.
The trip marks one-year-old Charlotte’s first official tour overseas, and she looked pretty as ever for the occasion in a blue floral dress with navy blue shoes and a co-ordinating bow in her hair.
Prince William held George’s hand and Kate – wearing a blue hat and dress adorned with the Queen’s maple leaf brooch -carried Charlotte as they emerged from the airplane.
While the military air base was closed to the public for the arrival, the main roads were lined with hundreds of flag-waving well-wishers as the cars travelled in convoy to their new temporary home. On Wednesday they’ll visit the Yukon and Thursday the royals will be back in Victoria for a private children’s tea party with military families. “I want to commend you and thank you for introducing our part of the world to Prince George and Princess Charlotte”, he said.
Mathu Jeyakumar, a 23-year-old Polish exchange student, said the prime minister was the main draw for her and her friends.
Thousands will line the streets for the Royals as they arrive for the ceremony at the B.C. Legislature at 5pm.
“When we were here last time we were married only three months”.
“The warm welcome that you gave us at that important moment in our lives meant a lot to us, and we have never forgotten it”, he said.
The 44-year-old Trudeau, who also received loud cheers, joked that getting the kids back on the plane could be a challenge after they see Canada’s lovely Pacific Coast.
Prince George wore blue, like his father, mother and sister. William recalled being a shy teenager then.
Online for the best and most comprehensive coverage as our royal reporter Emily Nash joins the Cambridge family on this historic tour.
The royal couple and various dignitaries will be feted to a performance by traditional dancers from the Songhees Nation and singers and dancers from the Esquimalt Nation, signifying a historical bond between First Nations and the Crown.
Some things did capture the children’s attention – when Kate pointed to the Airbus behind them Charlotte waved at it and George waved at the dozens of photographers and cameramen in front of him and later at a helicopter flying nearby.
People stood on the side of the highway from the airport to downtown Victoria cheering and taking photos with their phones as the royal motorcade passed.
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When asked about how similar Kate is to her deceased mother-in-law Princess Diana, Dishaw says she believes that the Duchess is prepared for her role. “Probably a once in a lifetime chance for most of us here in Canada anyway”.
