Calamity Kate and Buffalo Will Arrive in Canadian Wild West

ByABC News
July 8, 2011, 11:15 AM

July 8, 2011— -- Moseying into Calgary on a dignified 1912 stagecoach, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge got to experience the Canadian Wild West Thursday.

Calgary, an oil-rich town in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies, annually hosts a rodeo known as "the greatest outdoor show on earth" and a 10-day stampede. Prince William and Duchess Catherine arrived to launch the festivities, reports the Daily Mail.

Following custom for a cowboy welcome of hospitality, the people of Calgary "white hatted" the two, giving each a white cowboy hat made of rabbit fur by the local milliners, Smithbilt. Hat makers since 1919, Smithbilt has also given hats to Tony Blair, George W Bush and Kevin Costner.

The royal couple sported traditional Western dress: Will in blue Levis and a pair of boots given to him by the Canadian government, Kate also wearing jeans, a loose-fitting blouse and her very own cowboy boots.

After dismounting from their stagecoach, a relaxed William began the cattle stampede by throwing a stone, known as a stove, into the back of a chuck wagon; the mode of transport used by original pioneers.

"I'll give it a go," William joked, to which Kate replied, "Good luck."

After throwing the stone, the couple transitioned to a platform overlooking the rodeo pen chock-full of bull riders.