5 Things to Watch on Prince William, Princess Kate's Royal Visit to Canada
William and Kate will be joined by Prince George and Princess Charlotte.
— -- Prince William, Princess Kate and their children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, will arrive Saturday in Victoria, British Columbia, for a one-week royal tour of Canada.
The trip, the first royal tour for 1-year-old Princess Charlotte, will take William and Kate, both 34, on adventures including a rainforest tour, as well as visits to charities and a meeting with Syrian refugees now living in Canada.
Here are five things to watch for on the royal family's tour of Canada.
1. Prince George and Princess Charlotte
Prince William and Princess Kate will begin their first royal tour as a family of four when they arrive in Canada this Saturday. We last saw 16-month-old Princess Charlotte at a public engagement in June when she joined the family on the balcony for Queen Elizabeth II's official birthday celebration.
Prince George, 3, accompanied his parents to Australia and New Zealand when he was 9 months old. A Kensington Palace spokesman said William and Kate decided to bring their children along on this trip because it is "a great opportunity for them to introduce their children to a major realm." The spokesman added, "They really enjoyed taking Prince George to New Zealand and Australia and are delighted to have this opportunity to introduce them to Canada."
George and Charlotte will have a surprise when they arrive at Government House in Victoria, British Columbia. The gardeners at Government House have placed floating rubber duckies on the grounds to welcome Prince George and Princess Charlotte, according to Canadian TV.
2. Huge Crowds
William and Kate received a rock-star welcome in Canada in 2011 on their first tour as married couple. The newlyweds drew crowds as big as an estimated 300,000 to 500,000 people at their Canada Day appearance in Ottawa in July 2011. Expect huge crowds again with people hoping just to catch a glimpse of William and Kate when they head to Victoria and Vancouver, British Columbia, and the picturesque areas in Yukon and Haida Gwaii.
3. Meeting With Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Sophie Grégoire Trudeau
William and Kate are going to Canada on behalf of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and at the invitation of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Trudeau's father, Pierre Trudeau, hosted William's parents, Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana in 1991 when he was prime minister. The young and dynamic Trudeau family, including Trudeau's wife Sophie and their three children, are often compared to William and Kate.
4. Princess Kate’s Style
With more than 30 engagements and countless fashion changes planned for the tour of Canada, all eyes will be on Kate. The itinerary is more "casual and outdoorsy," so who knows what the dazzling Kate might pack. No tiaras are expected on this trip but Kate could borrow jewels from the Queen's extensive collection for one of the more formal receptions she and William will attend. Any piece brought on the trip by Kate would likely have significance to Canada. In 2011, Kate brought the Queen's Maple Leaf Diamond brooch and wore it three times.
It is also possible Kate could debut something Princess Diana wore on her three tours to Canada, like the Butler and Wilson bow and dangle earrings Diana wore in Vancouver in 1986. Kate may also bring along her trusty sapphire and diamond drop earrings which she wore on her last tour of Canada.
5. Outdoor Adventures
William and Kate love a good competition while on a royal tour. The couple raced dragon boats on their 2011 Canadian tour and took to the high seas in New Zealand's Auckland Harbor, squaring off against America's Cup yachts. Nothing like that is planned for this trip but the couple will get a chance to enjoy the best of Canadian culture and the country’s stunning countryside. They will tour the Great Bear Rainforest by float plane, be welcomed by First Nation communities and watch a volleyball demonstration. William and Kate will also partake in a wine tasting and will even take in some fishing and enjoy some of the more spectacular scenery by canoe.