At last, a detailed itinerary of the Duke & Duchess of Cambridge’s official tour to Canada has been released.  They are to visit the commonwealth realm from 30 June to 8 July, before heading to California.  Here’s the California itinerary.

It will be Prince William’s first tour of Canada in an official capacity.   And it Princess Catherine’s first trip to Canada – ever.

And so far, it’s a mixture of fun and formality, with focus on the youth, diversity, and the military.  We’ll see a dragonboat race, SAR demonstration, street hockey, cowboy hats and cooking aprons.  Sounds like a blast!

Prince William’s statement about this tour:

“Catherine and I are very much looking forward to our Tour of Canada.  We hope to be able to meet as many people as possible and to see as much of the extraordinary and diverse country as we can”, said The Duke of Cambridge. “I have wonderful memories from my last times in Canada, and as such we consider it a great privilege to have been invited to Canada for our first joint Tour.”

Itinerary

Thursday, June 30: Ottawa, Ontario
Arrival in Canada; Laying of a Wreath at the National War Memorial; Official Welcome to Canada and Ottawa Ceremony ; Celebration of Youth Barbecue Reception.

Friday, July 1 – Canada Day: National Capital Region
Canadian Citizenship Ceremony at the Canadian Museum of Civilization; Canada Day Parliament Hill Noon Show.

Saturday, July 2: National Capital Region and Montréal, Quebec
Tree-planting; Reception with Canadian veterans and their families at the Canadian War Museum; Arrival in Montreal; Visit to Sainte-Justine University Hospital Centre; Cooking Workshop at the Institut de Tourisme et d’hôtellerie du Québec (ITHQ)

Sunday, July 3: Québec City, Quebec
Morning Prayer; Arrival in Québec City on board the HMCS Montréal; Tour of la Maison Dauphine; Freedom of the City Ceremony at Québec City Hall; Lévis Community Celebration; Arrival in Prince Edward Island

Monday, July 4: Charlottetown and Summerside, Prince Edward Island
Official Arrival to Prince Edward Island; Waterbird Emergency Landing Procedure; Activities at the Dalvay-by-the-Sea Resort (dragonboat race); Search and Rescue Demonstration at Summerside Harbour by Prince William; Arrival in the Northwest Territories.

Tuesday, July 5: Yellowknife, Northwest Territories
Official Arrival to the Northwest Territories (Public Event); Session of Youth Parliament at the Legislative Assembly; Canadian Rangers Event at Blachford Lake; Dechinta Centre for Research and Learning at Blachford Lake.

Thursday, July 7: Calgary, Alberta
Arrival in Calgary; Tour of the Ward of the 21st Century Research and Innovation Centre; Government of Canada Reception at BMO Centre.

Friday, July 8: Calgary, Alberta
Calgary Stampede Parade; Reception hosted by the Alberta Government; Official Departure Ceremony from Canada and Alberta

For even more information, such the time scheduled for each activity each day, visit The Canadian Royal Tour’s Official Site.  For those wishing to see the royal couple, here’s  list of public events.

• A Statement from William & Kate’s private secretary: includes the most detailed itinerary plus explanations on why the couple chose such engagements.
• A good recap of anticipated highlights
• William & Kate’s Canadian tour echoes Andrew & Fergie’s
• 1,300 journalists set to cover William & Kate’s first official overseas tour

Prince William turns 29. What a year it has been for him!  As it was last year, William spent his 29th birthday at work yesterday.  Like  any other working week, William got no special treatment.  In fact, word has it that the newlyweds were apart, with Kate in London preparing for their overseas tour and preparing to move into their Kensington Palace cottage.  She reportedly brought in new scents to update the fuddy-duddy palace smell.  However and whenever they celebrate, we wish Prince William another joyful and memorable year ahead!

Royal Wedding Charitable Gift Fund Raises more than £1 million. To be exact, £1,058,367 has been raised and will be distributed to the 26 charities chosen by William & Kate to benefit from people’s donations in lieu of wedding presents. Most of the donations came from the official gift fund website. Read the statement here.  Thanks to everyone who contributed.

Kate writes a letter of thanks to Wimbledon officials. Back in 2008, when she was just William’s girlfriend, Kate hand-wrote a letter thanking Wimbledon chiefs of their hospitality after visiting the tennis tournament.  Read Kate’s letter here. Lovely gesture and impeccable manners!  Too bad the ever-spiteful Daily Mail chose to focus on two small spelling errors.  The letter is now up for display in a glass cabinet in the All England Club museum.

The Queen adores Kate. William’s cousin Zara Phillips gave an interview and revealed that Her Majesty “liked Kate as soon as they met,” that both she and Prince Philip “adore her” and think she’s “just right for William.”   Read Zara’s interview here.

Harry & Pippa: Captain & Commando?

How silly does this sound?  Someone apparently told Grazia magazine that Prince Harry & Pippa Middleton have met a handful of times after the royal wedding to console each other from their breakups.  They even have nicknames for each other.  Pippa calls Harry “Captain,” referring to his army rank.  He cheekily calls her “Commando,” in reference to rumours that she didn’t wear underwear during her sister’s wedding.  The press is insinuating that this flirtation may lead to something more.  Amusing, but certainly sounds made-up.

Article: Daily Mail

Spotlight on the fit and slender Princess Beatrice

Princess Beatrice was spotted in a bikini three years ago with her wobbly bits hanging about.  The press had a field day splashing the unsightly pictures.  Since then, Bea started working out, joined the London marathon and watched what she ate.  Now, three years later, we have a fit and svelte princess!  Good for her!

• Then and now: Beatrice in bikini
• The blossoming of Princess Beatrice
• Worries cut Beatrice down to size 10

Tags: beatrice, canada, harry, kate, pippa, william