It will be HUGE, warn Canadian officials. Indeed, Prince William & Princess Catherine’s first official overseas tour — to Canada and California — from June 30 to July 10 has the media in a craze. When the Queen visited last year, 18 journalists from the UK accompanied her. At present, 85 have registered to cover William & Kate, and the numbers are still bound to rise.
“This royal visit will be on a size and scale like nothing Canada has seen perhaps since the visit that happened in 1986 for the opening of Expo 86 in Vancouver, when Prince Charles and Princess Diana visited,” Heritage Minister James Moore says. “Canada Day on the Hill going to be massive. The media inquiries are through the roof.”
The dates and cities to be visited were released on Monday. What we know so far:
CANADA
June 30 to July 2: the National Capital Region (Ottawa, Ontario, and Gatineau, Quebec)
July 2: Montréal, Quebec, on July 2;
July 3: Québec City, Quebec
July 3 to July 4: Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
July 4: Summerside, Prince Edward Island
July 4 to July 6: Yellowknife, Northwest Territories
July 6 to July 8: Calgary, Alberta
William & Kate are expected to kick off Canada Day celebrations in Ottawa on July 1, and end in Calgary in time for the Calgary Stampede, the world’s largest rodeo.
While other details haven’t been revealed, a Canadian news site has let slip that the tour will focus on the Forces, with several visits related to the military. Plenty of youth focus, too. Mentioned were: visits with young chefs… a youth theather… a science fair… For Princess Catherine, a meetup with an actor from Anne of Green Gables in P.E.I., said to be a childhood favorite… a visit to the Canadian airfield in Calgary where her late grandfather Peter Middleton was stationed (he died last November shortly before their engagement was announced)… rowing in a dragonboat race. Also included: William to witness a search-and-rescue operation, and the pair meeting Canadian Rangers in the Northwest Territories. Note: I am blogging by memory of what I have read, as the article with details is no longer searchable online.
CALIFORNIA
July 8 to July 10: Los Angeles and the surrounding area. Rumour has it that the furthest away from LA they’ll reach is an hour and a half drive away. The Palace is keen to dispel talk that the visit will focus on meeting Hollywood stars, although they are naturally bound to meet a few celebrities.
The theme of the 2011 Royal Tour is
Moving Forward Together’ from Past Accomplishments to Current Service to Future Achievements”
Finer details on the itinerary will be released in mid-June.
Related Articles & Websites:
- Official Royal Tour website from Canadian government
- Official announcement from the Royal Wedding website
- No frills for Wills & Kate for their first overseas tour
- A royal visit to Canada for a new generation
- Quebec lawmakers blasts “parasitic” royals
Gearing up for their big overseas tour, William & Kate are on the cover of Vanity Fair, in stands June 2. The picture was taken by Mario Testino during the time of their engagement. The little seen picture can also be seen inside their official Royal Wedding CD.
First Official Public Function
Not counting the private meeting with the Obamas, the new Duke & Duchess of Cambridge’s first public function is a gala dinner in aide of the children’s charity Absolute Return for Kids (ARK) on June 9.
The royal couple are attending the £10,000-a-head dinner on behalf of the Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry. They will attend a reception with 900 other guests at Kensington Palace before sitting down to a private dinner. Prince William will also deliver a speech.
It will be a long weekend of public appearances for the royals — with Trooping the Colour, the Duke’s 90th birthday celebration, polo and the Garter Ceremony on the following days.
Future official appearances for William & Kate:
The streets are closed; police are sweeping the area; the media pack has already arrived… Tomorrow will be a historic day.
Spyridon Braoudakis