William & Kate at the Thursford Christmas Spectacular in December
Yesterday’s announcement was the big one. The Palace officially confirmed that Prince William and his then new bride Kate Middleton will go on their first official overseas tour to Canada on 30 June to 8 July. The royal couple will visit Alberta, the Northwest Territories, Prince Edward Island, Quebec and the capital, Ottawa. More specific details will be released as the time comes. Read yesterday’s report, AFP’s article as well as Hello! Magazine’s take on the royal tour.
Some people are surprised at how quick royal life is unfolding for Kate Middleton. After all, Princess Diana didn’t go on her first official overseas tour until March 1983. By that time, it was almost 2 years into her marriage with Charles. However William and Kate seem to be eager to make their mark as active members of the Royal Family. There’s even hints of a visit to New Zealand in September.
Before the wedding on April 29, the Palace has announced two official engagements for the couple:
On February 24, Thursday, they will attend a charity Lifeboat Naming Ceremony in Anglesey, Wales. During the engagement Prince William and Miss Middleton will meet the charity’s volunteers and name the new lifeboat. The Hereford Endeavour will be launched during the ceremony as the crew demonstrate some of her rescue capabilities to the royal party and station guests. More details here and learn how the organizers kept it secret.
On February 25, Friday, the couple will return to place where they first met and fell in love – St. Andrews University in Scotland. William has long agreed to be patron of the university’s 600th anniversary appeal. They will return as famous alumni to launch the appeal, attend a reception, view the surviving Papal Bull, and meet students and staff. Articles: Hello | STV
William and Kate have so far had one charity engagement under their belt — the Thursford Christmas Spectacular in December. That was a much more private event.
This is only the beginning. It shall be a big and exciting year for British Royal watchers!
Royal Wedding News:
- Privy Council: The Queen officially consented to William & Kate’s marriage at a privy council meeting in February 9
- Daily Mail: Spotlight on the Royal Wedding bridesmaids and page boys
- Reuters: Society snapper Hugo Bernand the Royal Wedding photographer?
- Telegraph: Ingrid Seward on why Kate still holds the cards despite bridal party’s lack of Middleton camp representation
- Isle of Wight Gazette: Tradition continues as “herb of love” myrtle will be incorporated into Kate’s bridal bouquet
Other Royal News:
- Earl Spencer, Princess Diana’s brother, is to wed for the 3rd time (after splitting with another fiancee just 4 months ago)
- VIDEO: Prince Charles’ speech at Low Carbon Summit in Brussels
- Pictures: Prince Charles in the British Asian Trust reception and dinner, St. James Palace
- Prince Harry considering marriage? (note: Jessica Hay is NOT at all a reliable source about Chelsy in my opinion)
- BBC: Camilla visits The Archers program set
- Express: David Cameron vows to keep Diana’s flame burning amid Queen Camilla fears
Related Posts:
- Royal Wedding: Prince Harry for Best Man; Pippa for Maid of Honour
- Prince William & Kate Middleton’s Engagement: The Day After
- Prince William to visit Australia, NZ in January 2009
- Book Excerpt: Prince William & Kate Middleton’s 2007 Breakup
- Breaking News: Prince William and Kate Middleton ENGAGED
Spyridon Braoudakis
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#1 by Leslie on February 18, 2011 - 2:09 pm
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Regarding how quickly Royal life is unfolding for Kate versus Diana, you have to look at the big picture:
1. Charles and Diana took an extended honeymoon, and not long after that she was pregnant with William. So traveling probably wasn’t even entertained during that time.
2. The Monarchy’s position was less tenuous back then. I think given William and Kate’s popularity, we’re going to see a lot more of them being trotted out to the Commonwealth to help shore up support for the Monarchy beyond QEII. Most folks don’t care much for Prince Charles and there are numerous rumblings about breaking with the tradition once the Queen passes. But if William and Kate can build up enthusiasm, it might change things quite a bit.
#2 by britishroyals on February 18, 2011 - 2:43 pm
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@Leslie: Excellent points! The current RF needs to work harder for people’s affection. Gone are the days when the public had natural reverence for the Monarchy and would call out to the Queen’s balcony just to catch a glimpse of their sovereign.
I’m just making a point at how fast it’s all going for Kate. When we think back about Diana, we remember her saying she was thrown out there without much preparation, and that her first foreign tour was a real baptism by fire. It’s quite surprising to realize things didn’t actually go that fast for her. Perhaps her sentiments were about the lack of emotional support, not the lack of time to transition into Princess.