Previous days: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 | Day 8

Day 9: 8 July 2011
Calgary, Canada

William & Kate wave Canada goodbye. Well done!

Calgary Stampede Parade. William & Kate kicked off the Calgary Stampede Parade by pressing the button to launch the fireworks.  Once again, they were both in cowboy garb and stenson hats.  William had recycled his shirt from yesterday while Kate changed into another Temperley shirt.  This year’s parade drew record crowds.  The royal couple watched part of the parade, and then left for more engagements.

Reception at the Calgary Zoo Conservatory. A quick stop at the zoo, where they met crowds.  Kate had changed into a red Catherine Walker dress.

Official Departure Ceremony. The Governor General, the Prime Minister, the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta, and the Premier of Alberta bid farewell to the Duke & Duchess of Cambridge at an Official Departure Ceremony complete with full military honours, a 21-gun salute, inspection of the Guard of Honour by William.  They were then off to the airport for a final wave as they completed a highly successful first tour of Canada.

Congratulations to William, Kate and Canada!
A BRILLIANT first tour. Many more to come…

William & Kate - Canada Memorabilia

• William & Kate leave behind a nation of born-again monarachists
• Mission accomplished: royal tour achieved all of its goals
• A royal couple that clearly likes each other
• So long, young royals; you did good
• Prince William & Kate’s best quotes from Canada
• What Kate wore to second day at Rodeo: Temperley top
• What Kate Wore to say goodbye: Red Catherine Walker dress

Pictures: Getty Images | Rex Features

Videos:

• CTV’s video collection (day 9) – links to right of page
• Video collection (all) from the Canadian Heritage Youtube account

Tags: canada, kate, william

Previous days: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6

Day 7: 6 July 2011
Slave Lake, Alberta

Prince William meets wheelchair-bound Riley Oldford before departing for Slave Lake

What was initially thought as a day off turned into a visit to Slave Lake, a town almost entirely reduced to ashes by forest fires less than two months ago. Some 40 per cent of Slave Lake in Northern Alberta was razed when ground when it was hit by a wildfire on May 15. The visit was planned ahead of time, according to officials, but wasn’t announced so as not to distract reconstruction efforts. Nonetheless, the locals were beyond thrilled of the visit and came in throngs. The request to tour the devastated town came directly from the royal couple

Kate was wearing the same navy designer blazer she wore to depart the UK, her favourite pair of skin tight jeans and Pied A Terre black wedges with a cream ruffled chiffon shirt. Read more about today’s look.  William was smart but casual in jeans and a blazer.

The Duke and Duchess spent an hour and a half touring areas of the town which were affected by the fire and visited Northern Lakes College, where they met with emergency services personnel from the fire brigade, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the medical response team. William and Kate had a private meeting with families affected by the disaster.

Slave Lake’s residents turned out to catch a glimpse of Kate and William, basking in the sunshine with flowers, posters and balloons. They considered the visit a major morale boost.

William & Kate inspect the disaster sites in Slave Lake

Articles:

Prince William & Princess Catherine Royal Wedding Souvenirs

• Caring William & Kate visit Alberta wildfire town (with pictures)
• Slave Lake charmed, heartened by royal visit
• Small town Alberta buzzed with royal visit
• What Kate Wore: ruffled blouse, Smythe jacket and her faithful skinny jeans

Pictures: Getty Images | Day Life

Videos:

• Canadian Heritage video highlights of day 7

After the Slave Lake visit, a much-deserved 24-hour down time.  William and Kate had spent the night at Skoki Lodge, a remote, rustic resort high above Lake Louise.  Known for its majestic vistas, they took a helicopter ride through the Rocky Mountains. The lodge has no electricity or running water. However, it was reported that one cabin was retrofitted just for the royal couple, with a full bathroom flown to the location in two separate parts. Picture here.

Tags: canada, kate, william

Previous days: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5

Day 6: 5 July 2011
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories

Official Arrival to the Northwest Territories. William & Kate were at Somba K’e Civic Plaza to take part in Aboriginal traditions and activities, including traditional drumming, dancing and sports. William gave a speech to much applause. Then the picture of the day went to him trying his hand at “shinny” or street hockey. He tried firing 3 penalty shots but didn’t score! The first one went wide and the goalee saved the next two. Kate didn’t fire any shots (she would have if it weren’t for her heels, she said), but dropped the puck (or rather, ball) to start the game.

Session of Youth Parliament at the Legislative Assembly. The royal couple then heard from NWT’s youth about their challenges and where they see themselves in the future. Not much to say except that those who have been watching the live stream would agree that this bit was rather unexciting.

Blachford Lake: Canadian Rangers and Dechinta Centre for Research and Learning.  A quick change to casual clothing (Kate in skinny jeans and flats) and a canoe ride after, and they’re off to Blachford Lake to meet Canadian Rangers. They were presented with gifts and Kate was made an honorary ranger (William is already one). A sweet moment was captured of William fixing Kate’s ranger hoodie strings. While at the Blachford Lake Lodge, William and Kate interacted Aboriginal elders and young adults, highlighting their unique and innovative educational program that integrates elements of traditional Aboriginal knowledge into a university-accredited program.  Video: William & Kate at Blachford Lake.

Ending the day with a romantic few hours. After all their official functions, the Cambridges paddled to an isolated island for 3 hours alone — no bodyguards.  They feasted on local cranberries, bannock bread and Caribou steaks cooked over an open campfire in total peace and solitude. It was said to be arranged by William as a surprise for Kate. Read more here. This is the second time the couple has sneaked out for some alone time during the tour.

Up next: a visit to fire victims at Slave Lake, before a much-deserved 24-hour rest.

A gift of Diamonds. William & Kate were presented with some truly priceless gems — diamonds. William was given cufflinks of platinum and pave-set diamonds. Kate was given a brooch. Both are in a polar bear design that is the emblem of the Northwest Territories.

William & Kate - Canada Memorabilia

General Articles:

• DM recap: William & Kate at Yellowknife – hockey and meeting Aboriginals
• William & Kate north of 60: hockey, diamonds and the wilderness
• William’s luck runs out in street hockey (includes video)
• Kate charms Canada
• What Kate wore: Formal “bullet dress” by Danish designer and casual chic

Pictures: Getty Images | Rex Features

Videos

• CTV’s video collection (links at right of page)
• William & Kate in Blachford Lake — canooing, gift presentation + William fixing Kate’s ranger hoodie.

Tags: canada, kate, william

Previous days: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4

Day 5: 4 July 2011
Charlottetown & Summerside, Prince Edward Island, Canada

William & Kate at Prince Edward Island

It rained.  Hard.  But the downpour didn’t stop the people from coming… nor the couple from delivering.  More relaxed, dressed down and at ease, day 5 was by far the funnest day of the tour!

Official Arrival to Prince Edward Island. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrive at Province House by landau.  It started drizzling.   No umbrellas.  Adoring crowd.  A speech by William.  And a word of advise from the PEI premier — who himself was also married to a Kate — to Prince William:  “Kates are always right.”

Waterbird Emergency Landing Procedure. Prince William piloted a Sea King helicopter for a  “waterbird” emergency landing procedure at Dalvay-by-the-Sea (essentially landing the chopper on water).  An excellent student, his trainer said he nailed the landing each time.  While on hair, he looked for his wife on the shore and waved to her.  She waved back. Kate was later spotted taking pictures.

Post dragon boat cuddle. Photo by Mark Stewart

Dragon Boat Racing. Another highlight.  William & Kate joined opposing teams on rowing dragon boats across the lake.  Who won? William.  By quite a margin.  But what captured everyone’s attention what the little cuddle the couple shared after the race.  Loser Kate was actually jokingly trying to push William to the water, and he in turn gave her a quick and sweet squeeze.  As royal reporters say, it produced the best picture from the tour so far.  After the race, they joined a welcome ritual, enjoyed youth performances, savoured local delicacies and once again, did walkabouts in the rain.  They were drenched.  And so was the crowd.  But none of that mattered.

Search and Rescue Demonstration at Summerside Harbour. A search and rescue demonstration, and a lengthy walkabout, meeting veterans from the service.

What Kate Wore:  Kate had 4 wardrobe changes today!  Started with the knit Alexander McQueen dress for the more formal activities; a navy coat with a red scarf as she watched her husband waterbirding; skinny jeans, a black jacket and flats for the dragon boat race; and back to the navy coat and wedges for the Search & Rescue demo.

Then it’s off to Yellowknife, Northwest Territories….

Articles:

• The Daily Mail’s recap:  William rules the waves; Kate looks oarsome
• Fashion roundup: Kate single-handedly changing the  face of fashion
• Crowd reports: words from the crowd in Summerside

Photos: Getty Images | Rex Features | CTV Gallery

Videos:

• CTV’s video collection (links at right of page)
• Dragon boat highlights — including the cuddle

Tags: canada, kate, william