The Royal Visit Canada 2016 concluded with a final display of sweet waves (from George and Charlotte) and gorgeous family photos at the weekend. After a packed eight day tour, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge left Victoria via seaplane for a quick tour of the coastline before being flown home.
Wrapping up the royal visit, HRH The Duke of Cambridge said yesterday:
‘Catherine and I are incredibly grateful to the people of Canada for the warmth and hospitality they have extended to our family over the last week. We have loved our time in British Columbia and Yukon and will never forget the beautiful places we have seen and the many people who have been kind enough to come to welcome us in person. We feel very lucky to have been able to introduce George and Charlotte to Canada. This country will play a big part in the lives of our children and we have created such happy memories for our family during this visit. Canada is a country of optimism, generosity and unrivalled natural beauty. I hope we have helped all Canadians celebrate what makes this country great. We will see you again soon.’
The Daily Mail report that this royal visit will be George and Charlotte’s last overseas tour for some time. Sources close to the family say their decision to bring their children was a ‘one-off’. It is thought that the youngsters are unlikely to accompany their parents on another official overseas tour for several years. This is reportedly so they can enjoy a ‘normal childhood‘. [READ MORE]
Although the trip is over, there are many amazing pictures and funny moments to remember. Like Prince George and Princess Charlotte stealing the spotlight at a specially hosted children’s party event. Or this funny moment with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. [READ MORE]
See all the best photos and moments from Royal Visit Vanada 2016 here…
Day 8 – Victoria
As he left Canada, Prince George squashed his nose up against the departing plane’s window. He told pilot Shawn Stewart that he was going to fly his family home when he got a special trip to the plane’s cockpit.
Mr Stewart, 38, from Victoria, told the Mirror: ‘After we landed, once the co-pilot got out, George climbed up into the seat and started playing with the controls and pretending he was flying the plane.
‘Kate said: ‘Where are you going to fly us? Are you going to fly us to Canada?’
‘And George said: ‘No I’m going to fly us to England.”
Credit: PA WIRE
Day 8 – Victoria
Princess Charlotte appreciated the bunch of flowers handed to Kate as the family departed.
Day 8 – Victoria
After popping back to Government House for another outfit change and to collect Prince George and Princess Charlotte, the family arrived at the harbor to catch a seaplane before their trip home.
Credit: PA WIRE
Day 8 – Victoria
As well as more formal visits, where Kate turned heads in a chic white blazer and black trousers, the couple also boarded a ship where a quick outfit change meant there were ready to take to the seas!
Credit: PA WIRE
Day 8 – Victoria
For their final day in Canada, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited organisations working in mental health & family support.
Credit: PA WIRE
Day 7 – Haida Gwaii
Kate and William were then taken fishing by locals, where they had a go at catching salmon. Both the Duke and Duchess wrapped up against the chilly Canadian winds and donned lifejackets for the excursion.
Credit: Tim Rooke/REX/Shutterstock
Day 7 – Haida Gwaii
Kate and Prince William then went on to Haida Gwaii Hospital and Health Centre where they spoke to people who have benefitted from the opening of the new hospital on the remote archipelago off the west coast of Canada.
Credit: PA WIRE
Day 7 – Haida Gwaii
They were greeted by hereditary leaders from the Haida nation before enjoying performances of cultural dances.
Credit: PA WIRE
Day 7 – Haida Gwaii
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge started the day by arriving at the Haida Heritage Centre in a traditional Haida canoe.
Credit: Tim Rooke/REX/Shutterstock
Day 6 – Victoria
Charlotte was particularly transfixed with a dog called ‘Moose’. The 16 month old also uttered her first word in public, exclaiming ‘pop’ as she made a ‘beeline for a balloon arch’ at the garden party. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge told guests that the toddler is teething and always hungry.
Credit: PA WIRE
Day 6 – Victoria
George and Charlotte stole the show (and the hearts of everyone watching!) as the played with balloons.
Day 6 – Victoria
Kate and William took the opportunity to introduce George and Charlotte to children from Canadian military families, as well as allowing the little Prince and Princess to run around and explore.
Credit: Chris Jackson
Day 6 – Victoria
Back in Victoria, the Duke and Duchess broke up the string of official engagements and visits on their tour with a more informal children’s party for military families. Hosted at Government House, when Prince George and Princess Charlotte have been based with their nanny throughout the week, it was first time the children had been spotted since they arrived in Canada.
Credit: Chris Jackson
Day 5 – Carcross Commons, Yukon
The Duke and Duchess then set hearts racing as they climbed aboard the White Pass steam train. As the guards watched on tensely, Kate and William carefully balanced along the railway line, set high above the water. The steep drop didn’t seem to bother Kate or William, who smiled as the clambered across.
Day 5 – Carcross Commons, Yukon
The Duke and Duchess then made their way to the stunning Carcross Commons and Montana Mountain where they were greeted with traditional music, dancing, and speeches.
Credit: Tim Rooke/REX/Shutterstock
Day 5 – Whitehorse, Yukon
After spending a night without George and Charlotte, Kate and Prince William started the day with a trip to the MacBride Museum to learn about Yukon’s history. The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh visited the same telegraph office, which is now part of the Museum, in 1959.
Credit: REX/Shutterstock
Day 4 – Whitehorse, Yukon
As the sunset on their fourth day in Canada, Kate and William touched down in Whitehorse, Yukon. After being met by the Canadian Rangers and Junior Rangers, they were treated to a showcase of Yukon’s thriving performing arts. Prince William, impressed with the performances, said to those involved, “That was one of the best shows I’ve ever seen you should be very proud.”
Day 4 – Kelowna
The Duchess of Cambridge wore a gorgeous green Dolce & Gabbana dress as she and Prince William followed in his mother and father’s footsteps as they visited Kelowna, British Columbia, where Charles and Diana paid a trip to 30 years ago. Kate and William met farming students, watched women’s volleyball and tried local wine.
Credit: Abaca USA
Day Three – Victoria
Kate stunned in a glamorous £1,000 dress by Preen. Not only did she choose a very ‘Canadian red’ for the occasion, but she also accessorised with a maple leaf brooch as a homage to the Canadian flag, loaned to her by the Queen!
Royal Visit to Canada – Day Three – Victoria
Back in Victoria, The Duke and Duchess attended a reception hosted by the province of British Columbia at Government House, with a Black Rod ceremony where The Duke installed a ring on Black Rod assisted by two Indian chiefs, symbolising reconciliation.
Credit: PA WIRE
Royal Visit to Canada – Day Three – Great Bear Rainforest
Kate dressed down for the occasion in her favourite jeans from high-street store Zara. She also wore her wardrobe staple, dark mid-length Penelope Chilvers boots that she also chose for the couple’s hike in Bhutan at the beginning of the year.
Royal Visit to Canada – Day Three – Great Bear Rainforest
The royal couple also braved the weather conditions for a walking tour of Great Bear Rainforest, with Prince William making light of the situation by joking that the rainforest “wouldn’t be authentic without rain”.
Credit: PA WIRE
Royal Visit to Canada – Day Three – Bella Bella, Victoria
Despite terrible wind conditions, with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arriving at the remote island community off the coast of British Columbia in the driving wind and rain, Kate and William were all smiles. A spokesman for the couple said ‘It is still a beautiful place in the rain and everyone is prepared to get wet’.
Credit: PA WIRE
Royal Visit to Canada – Day Three – Bella Bella, Victoria
For their third day of their royal tour of Canada, Kate and Prince William paid a visit to the remote Canadian island community of Bella Bella. The Duke and Duchess were ceremoniously welcomed by the Heiltsuk First Nations.
Credit: PA WIRE
Royal visit to Canada – Day Two – Vancouver
Further engagements during the day included a stop off at the Kitsilano Coastguard Station and a visit to the Immigration Services Society of British Columbia. Here they met staff and volunteers who support over 25,000 recent migrants to Canada each year, including some of the 30,000 who have arrived in Canada over the last year from UNHCR camps that are supporting those who have fled the war in Syria.
Royal visit to Canada – Day Two – Vancouver
The Duke and Duchess first visited Sheway, a charity that helps vulnerable mothers who are battling addiction and other issues. In an official statement, a spokesperson for Kate commented that, “the link between addiction and family breakdown is something that has been a major priority of The Duchess’s charitable work.”
Credit: PA WIRE
Royal visit to Canada – Day Two – Vancouver
Kate looked stunning in a ruffled dress by Alexander McQueen in the Canadian colours of red and white on day two of the royal tour.
Royal visit to Canada – Day Two – Vancouver
Waking up on their first morning in Canada, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were whisked away from Victoria to Vancouver by float plane. They arrived in the new city all smiles, and were greeted by thousands of well wishers. Prince George and Princess Charlotte remained in Victoria for this part of the trip, but will make appearances with Kate and Prince William later in the week.
Credit: PA WIRE
Royal visit to Canada – Day One – Victoria
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge with Canadian Prime Minister Justine Trudeau and his wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeau during an official ceremonial welcome at the British Columbia Legislative Assembly in Victoria, on the first day of the Royal Tour to Canada.
Credit: PA WIRE
Royal visit to Canada – Day One – Victoria
The Duchess of Cambridge, with Princess Charlotte in her arms, uses the ‘active listening’ parenting technique to check in with Prince George as the family are welcomed to Canada and greeted by a sea of well wishers. Despite the overwhelming situation for a tired Prince George and little Princess Charlotte, the young royals still managed a wave before being driven off to Victoria House, where they will be based throughout the trip.
Credit: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire
