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Will and Kate charm offensive hits Vancouver

Looking as fresh-faced and completely put-together as always (no leggings and oversized sweater here), the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, stepped off the plane in a cobalt shift dress by Jenny Packham, a sparkling brooch and a matching fascinator-plus a pair of three-inch tan heels.

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William and Kate will also visit the Immigration Services Society of British Columbia alongside Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, and the Kitsilano Coastguard Station.

“As any parent who has travelled with children knows, it is a whole different experience when you bring your family with you”.

Prince William and Kate will be visiting Canada from September 24 to October 1 making stops in Victoria, Vancouver, Bella Bella, Haida Gwaii and Kelowna, B.C., and Whitehorse and Carcross, Yukon.

Both Prince William, 34, and Duchess Kate, 34, held Prince George’s hands as they made their way off the aircraft.

The royal couple arrived in Canada yesterday with the three-year-old and his sister Charlotte to begin an eight-day-tour of the country.

“Though let me caution you from my own experience, if they’re anything like our kids, getting them back on a plane after a visit to our attractive West Coast will really be a challenge”.

But Mr Trudeau, who was elected last November, was seen trying his luck again, with a low-five this time, which George hastily shut down with the shake of his head. “The warm welcome that you gave us at that important part of our lives meant a lot to us and we’ve never forgotten it”, William told the crowd.

He went on, “That is why we are so pleased that George and Charlotte can be with us in Canada this time round, beginning their own lifetime of friendship with this wonderful country”.

He looked smarts in navy shorts and a blue sweater as he walked down the steps from the plane holding his parents’ hands, at about midnight United Kingdom time today in Victoria, British Columbia.

They called the trip their “William and Kate chase weekend”.

“Oh my god, it was awesome”, said Amber Bassett, whose daughter Akaysha, 2, gave the duchess some dahlias.

Linda Gunther said it was fine George and Charlotte weren’t there.

– Prince William and his wife Kate will tour Sheway, a pregnancy outreach service for women with drug and alcohol issues, in Vancouver’s poorest neighbourhood, the Downtown Eastside. William’s mother Diana was on hand when Sheway’s precursor opened in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1991.

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The royals will then move on to an immigrant welcome centre where they will talk with refugee families from Syria. Canadians are somewhat indifferent to the monarchy, but most have great affection for the queen, as well as her grandsons and Kate.

UPDATED: Royal family lands in Victoria, heads to Legislature for official welcome