2011 royal tour of Canada

William and Catherine on Parliament Hill
Personal flag of the Duke of Cambridge for Canada

The 2011 royal tour of Canada by Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, took place between 30 June and 8 July 2011. The tour saw the newlywed couple visit all of Canada's regions. It was the first such tour undertaken by the Duke and Duchess since their marriage two months prior,[1] and the first duties the couple carried out as members of the Canadian Royal Family. The tour was followed by more than 1,300 accredited media. It included the first use of the Duke of Cambridge's royal standard for Canada, the first Canadian citizenship ceremony attended by royalty, Canada Day ceremonies attended by approximately 800,000 people, and many smaller events across the country.

Background

The tour fell on the 225th anniversary of the first royal visit to Canada, by then Prince William (later King William IV), as part of a naval contingent.[2]

The tour was organised by Kevin S. MacLeod, Canadian Secretary to the Queen, who has organised every royal visit to Canada since 1987.[3] Tour organization took only three months instead of the usual 12.[4] The couple travelled with a pared-down entourage of seven,[2] including British police that have no jurisdiction in Canada.[5] MacLeod let them make the tour much less formal than some previous.[5] The inclusion of Prince Edward Island, at the apparent request of Catherine, stands in contrast to previous tours. The 1983 tour of Canada by Prince Charles and newly-wed Diana reflected his interests, as well as Canadian priorities, but none of Diana's own interests.[6]

1,300 journalists were accredited for this tour, including 241 foreign ones.[3] The tour included a chartered plane to PEI.[2] British news outlet ITN filmed a documentary on the tour.[7]

Itinerary

Ontario

On Thursday, 30 June, the couple departed Britain for Canada, travelling on a Canadian military plane.[2] Upon landing at Macdonald-Cartier International Airport on Thursday, 30 June, the cockpit showed the Duke of Cambridge's Personal Canadian Flag; the newly adopted flag was previewed only the day before by Canadian federal government officials. Among the dignitaries greeting the couple were John Baird, Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs, David McGuinty, Ottawa South MP, William JS Elliott, Commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and Jim Watson, Mayor of Ottawa.

The couple proceeded to a wreath laying at the Canadian Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, at the Canadian National War Memorial, their first public event as a couple since the wedding. After meeting with veterans, their first walkabout as a couple was considered unhurried, as they were 10 minutes late for their next appearance.[8]

The Duke and Duchess then headed to Rideau Hall, residence of the Governor General of Canada, for their official Welcome to Canada and Ottawa Ceremony by Governor General David Johnston; attendance turnout was around 6,000 people, double the turnout of people at the War Memorial.[8] The Duke inspected the Guard of Honour, including the Army, the Air Force and the Navy. The Royal Salute, composed by Edward VIII, played on bagpipes.[9] The event was followed with a Celebration of Youth Barbecue Reception at Rideau Hall.

On Canada Day, 1 July, on what would have been Diana, Princess of Wales' 50th birthday,[10] the couple attended a citizenship ceremony at the Canadian Museum of Civilization; this was the first time that members of the Royal Family participated in a Canadian citizenship ceremony.[11] Pipe Major of The Sons of Scotland played as they entered the ceremony to a tune which was "St. Andrews Courtship", a work by Pipe Major Bethany Bisaillion, created for them.[12] The event attracted protesters who strumed guitars and wave placards outside event, in protest of mandatory pledging allegiance to the Queen.[8] This was followed by the Canada Day Parliament Hill Noon Show, a public event, arriving in the State Landau.[13] Performers included the Sam Roberts Band, Great Big Sea, Corb Lund, and Maria Aragon.[14] The show was broadcast on CBC Television and radio in English and French.[15] The couple returned in the evening for additional performances, and fireworks;[13] this was considered a significant security risk.[5]

Quebec

The couple began 2 July at the Canadian War Museum, unveiling the mural "The Canadians Opposite Lens" by Augustus John.[16] From there, the couple proceeded to Montreal, Quebec's Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport. Outside their first stop, Sainte-Justine University Hospital Centre, Reseau de Resistance du Québécois (RRQ) protesters' bilingual placards called the couple "parasites". Onlookers and well-wishers outnumbered the protester "10 to 1", according to media reports.[17] The RRQ had hired 40 security guards to keep their protesters in check.[18] Entering the hospital swiftly,[19] the Duke and Duchess were at the hospital to meet with patients and their families.

The couple received cooking classes at l’Institut de tourisme et d’hôtellerie du Québec. The Mouvement pacifique pour l'indépendence du Québec was planning to protest the visit by dressing in peasant costumes, outside the Institute.[20][21]

The couple departed from Montreal for Quebec City at 9:55 pm, on HMCS Montréal.

After saying Morning Prayer with the crew of HMCS Montréal, the ship docked at Quebec City, Quebec. Crowds gathered on the boardwalk to Chateau Frontenac, and along to the Plains of Abraham.[22] The couple will tour la Maison Dauphine, an organization which serves street youth, where they will have a private talk with a small group, to here the youth's stories.[23]

The first public event of the day was just after noon, a Freedom of the City Ceremony at Quebec City Hall (Hôtel de ville de Québec). William's speech, delivered entirely in French, included "You, the Québécois and Québécoise, have such vitality and vigour. It is simply a pleasure to be here."[24] Sovereigntist group Réseau de Résistance du Québécois expected 300 protesters for their demonstration outside City Hall;[20] media reported about 200 showed up.[25] Protesters noted that they did have a plane flyover city hall with a separatist banner.[24]

The next public event is a community celebration in Lévis, Quebec, touring Fort Numéro Un de Lévis.[24] From there, they went to Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island for the evening.

The royal couple arrived in Montreal in the evening and attended a cooking class with students at the Institut de Tourisme et d'Hotellerie du Québec. Jean Charest, the premier of Quebec, and his wife accompanied the couple in the class. The two couples had supper together after the short workshop. Upon their arrival at the Institut, the couple was greeted by approximately 500 fans and protesters. [26]

The couple surrounded by Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
Dalvay-by-the-sea, a hotel

Prince Edward Island

After visiting Province House, PEI's provincial legislature at Charlottetown, the couple learned of Canadian military accomplishments in Prince Edward Island National Park, before William took part in "a training session for the 'waterbird' emergency landing procedure in a Sea King helicopter at Dalvay-by-the-Sea."[27] The day was rainy. At the hotel, a National Historic Site of Canada, the couple was welcomed to PEI by a traditional Miqmah smudging ceremony, and sampled several kinds of local foods. Aboriginal, Acadian and Celtic cultural and culinary traditions. The couple challenged each other to a dragon boat race.[28] William's team won by half a length. Then on Dalvay Beach the couple chatted with beach volleyball players, sand castle builders and baked-lobster chefs. The final public event of the day was in Summerside, where the couple watched a Search and Rescue exercise at Summerside Harbour with the Canadian Coast Guard.[29] The couple then flew to Yellowknife Airport, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories arriving in the early evening.

Local actors playing characters Anne Shirley and Matthew Cuthbert (Tess Benger and Kris Tusler) in Anne of Green Gables: The Musical appeared as guests.[30] The province was Catherine's choice for the tour.[31]

Northwest Territories

At 11:40 am, Tuesday, 5 July, the couple participated in a public event, an Official Arrival to the Northwest Territories. William and Catherine arrived at Somba K’e Civic Plaza to take part in Aboriginal traditions and activities, including traditional drumming, dancing and sports. The ceremony was to highlight the historic and continuing cooperation between the Northwest Territories’ Aboriginal peoples and residents of other cultures. The Duke's speech included the phrase "thank you" in both the Na-Dene and Inuvialuktun languages. In a street hockey game, Prince William took three shots on goal, but the young goaltender kept him from scoring.

A session of the Youth Parliament at the Legislative Assembly was followed by a visit to Blachford Lake, which included the First Canadian Ranger Patrol Group and Dechinta: Bush University Centre for Research and Learning.

Alberta

The original public schedule for Wednesday, 6 July was listed as a day off for the royal couple. The unannounced stop was made in Slave Lake, Alberta, where the royal couple toured the town that was partially destroyed by a wildfire in May. Arriving at the town's airport, the couple met with Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach and the Mayor of Slave Lake, Karina Pillay-Kinnee. They met with emergency services personnel from the fire department, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the medical response team at Northern Lakes College. At the gym of Northern Lakes College, the couple met with some of the families affected by the fire.[32] The town was in the midst of dealing with flooding of Sawridge Creek.[33] At 1:30 pm, they went back to the Slave Lake Airport and continued on their way to Calgary.[34] They spent the night at the private Skoki Ski Lodge, a National Historic Site near Lake Louise, within the Rocky Mountain-area Banff National Park. Much of the press coverage for this part of the tour discussed the remoteness of the site, which includes only outhouses. No official comment was made on whether it was retrofitted, at least temporarily.[35]

Arriving in Calgary in the afternoon, at Calgary International Airport, the Duke and Duchess were presented with the usual headgear in the White Hat Ceremony, but didn't wear them.[36] They toured the University of Calgary Ward of the 21st Century Research and Innovation Centre (W21C), and attended an evening Government of Canada reception at the BMO Stampede Park. The latter included the creation of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's Parks Canada Youth Ambassadors Program. The city gave free wristbands to public events, to lessen the volume of people.[37]

The first event of the Friday, 8 July, the day for the couple was to launch the Calgary Stampede Parade at Bow Valley College. The parade is run by the same organization as the top-level rodeo event itself. The parade attracted a record crowd of 425,000 people.[38]

The Vancouver Humane Society, the League Against Cruel Sports, and Fight Against Animal Cruelty had all asked that the royal couple not visit the Stampede, deeming it animal cruelty;[39] People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) suggested that they were approaching a "hotbed of controversy".[40] If they don't cancel the event, PETA called on locals to protest at the event.[41] The stampede has often attracted animal rights activists, on years without special guests.[5] A horse died of a leg injury in the Stampede's first night, in spite of an "extensive overhaul to its animal care standards".[42]

Barred from attending the 2010 Stampede parade, attempts to block street preacher Art Pawlowski were unsuccessful. He planned to have his group march following the parade proper, or set up a protest.[43] There were no reports on whether he followed through.

Later events included a reception at the ENMAX Conservatory, Calgary Zoo, hosted by the Alberta Government, and a public Official Departure Ceremony.[37] Finally, after a nine-day Canadian tour that "far exceeded" expectations, according to Prince William, and was by all accounts a huge success, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge boarded a Royal Canadian Air Force aircraft, and departed the Realm, their last stop in North America being a visit to Los Angeles, California.

After departure

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge departed Canada on 8 July, aboard a Canadian Forces jet bound for Los Angeles. Upon arrival in the Californian city they were greeted by Canadian Consul General David Fransen, California Governor Jerry Brown and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. Being greeted by the Canadian Consul-General first, Prince William had, according to the CBC, departed as a prince of Canada rather than a foreign prince.[44] On 9 July, the couple attended the inaugural BAFTA Brits to Watch event at the downtown Belasco Theater.[45][46]

Catherine's fashion

Catherine has made a point of wearing Canadian fashion designers at various points throughout the trip. Departing from Britain, she wore a navy blue blazer by Toronto-based Smythe les Vestes,[47] On arrival, her outfit was by Montreal designer Erdem Moralioglu.[48] Even when wearing foreign designers, as on Canada Day, the white-dress outfit had domestic influences such a red hat with fabric maple leaves, and Queen Elizabeth II's maple leaf brooch first worn during her 1951 tour of Canada.[49]

CBS News royal contributor Victoria Arbiter suggested Catherine might wear 40 outfits on the trip.[50]

Reception

A poll conducted before the tour showed 54% of those between 18 and 34 who were polled were indifferent to the tour.[51]

Public events during the tour drew big crowds. On Canada Day at Parliament Hill, attendance was 300,000 in the morning,[52][53] and a half-million in the evening.[54] The National Capital Commission had speculated half a million would show up at the morning event.[55]

The Canadian tour become a subject of controversy, as the Royal couple planned to attend the annual Calgary Stampede, an event that features steer busting and calf roping and is condemned by animal welfare experts. The rodeo was banned in the United Kingdom in 1934. Animal Rights groups from Britain and Canada have written to Clarence House urging the couple not to attend the event.[56][57]

The tour attracted small crowds and protests in the province of Quebec. Quebec MNA Amir Khadir referred to the royal couple as "parasites" ahead of the visit, calling the tour "a waste of public funds".[58] In Montreal they were met by approximately 500 supporters and 100 protesters[59] and in Quebec City they were met by several hundred supporters and about 200 protesters, some wearing black and waving flags.[60]

Though official popularity numbers have yet to be released, many accounts have touted the royal tour as a positive turn around in Canadian support of the crown. Since the royal wedding and the conclusion of the royal tour, there has been a distinctly youth motivated recognition of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge as not foreign royalty but as Canadian royalty and the Duke as the future King of Canada.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Yelaja, Prithi (21 June 2011). "William and Kate's royal tour itinerary released". CBC. Retrieved 2 July 2011.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Taber, Jane (30 June 2011). "Royals en route – without anyone to squeeze William's toothpaste". The Globe and Mail. Toronto ON. Retrieved 2 July 2011.
  3. 1 2 Butler, Don (25 June 2011). "Meet the man behind the royal tour". The Ottawa Citizen. Ottawa ON. Retrieved 25 June 2011.
  4. ↑ Paperny, Anna Mehler (26 June 2011). "Behind the royal tour, a businesslike Usher of the Black Rod". The Globe and Mail. Toronto ON. Archived from the original on 1 July 2011. Retrieved 2 July 2011.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Security for the royals", CBC-TV segment, 28 June 2011.
  6. ↑ Harris, Carolyn (27 June 2011). "The royal consort's royal request". The Globe and Mail. Toronto ON. Retrieved 2 July 2011. www.royalhistorian.com
  7. ↑ Campbell, Jennifer (2 July 2011). "Call him the Kate-maker". Ottawa Citizen. Ottawa ON. Retrieved 2 July 2011.
  8. 1 2 3 "Royal tour begins with` unhurried walkabout". The Chronicle-Herald. Halifax NS. The Canadian Press. 30 June 2011. Retrieved 30 June 2011.
  9. ↑ "The Governor General of Canada". Gg.ca. Retrieved 2012-04-04.
  10. ↑ Laucius, Joanne (2 July 2011). "Diana: she haunts us still". Ottawa Citizen. Ottawa ON. Retrieved 2 July 2011.
  11. ↑ Baziuk, Laura (30 June 2011). "Personal Canadian flags unveiled for Prince Charles, Prince William". The Montreal Gazette. Montreal QC. Postmedia News. Retrieved 30 June 2011.
  12. ↑ Spears, Tom; Julia Johnson (2 July 2011). "Piping in a Prince". Ottawa Citizen. Toronto ON. Retrieved 2 July 2011.
  13. 1 2 Low, Valentine (2 July 2011). "Duchess charms a nation". The Australian. Surry Hills NSW Australia. Retrieved 2 July 2011.
  14. ↑ "Canada Day show includes Winnipeg YouTube girl". The Canadian Press. Toronto ON. The Canadian Press. 9 June 2011. Retrieved 30 June 2011.
  15. ↑ McColeman, Phil (MP) (30 June 2011). "Celebrate Canada Day, in Ottawa or here". The Paris Star. Paris ON. Retrieved 30 June 2011.
  16. ↑ "Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will unveil the Canadians Opposite Lens, the latest Canadian War Museum acquisition", press release via Canada NewsWire, 2 July 2011.
  17. ↑ "Prince William and Kate land in Montreal as protests begin". The Globe and Mail. Toronto ON. The Canadian Press. 2 July 2011. Retrieved 2 July 2011.
  18. ↑ Lindala-Haumont, Roland (2 July 2011). "Quebecers warm to royal visit, cool to monarchy". CBC. Toronto ON. Retrieved 2 July 2011.
  19. ↑ Mahoney, Justin (2 July 2011). "Prince William and Kate Middleton: Crowds bicker outside Ste. Justine Hospital". Montreal Gazette. Montreal QC. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
  20. 1 2 "Fringe group plans Saturday protest for Prince William and Kate's Montreal visit". CTV Montreal. Montreal QC. The Canadian Press. 29 June 2011. Retrieved 29 June 2011.
  21. ↑ Ravensberge, Jan (2 July 2011). "Prince William and Kate Middleton: Royal 'parasites' should pay their own way, Montreal protesters say". Montreal Gazette. Montreal QC. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
  22. ↑ Sutherland, Anne (4 July 2011). "Prince comes off 'like anyone else'". Montreal Gazette. Montreal QC. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
  23. ↑ "Preparations in full swing for royal visit to Quebec". CTV Montreal. Montreal QC. 30 June 2011. Retrieved 30 June 2011.
  24. 1 2 3 Proudfoot, Shannon; Marianne White; Anne Sutherland (3 July 2011). "Prince Charming? Will woos Quebec". Windsor Star. Windsor ON. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
  25. ↑ Proudfoot, Shannon; Marianne White; Anne Sutherland (3 July 2011). "Royal newlyweds take in Quebec's culture". Vancouver Sun. Vancouver BC. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
  26. ↑ Drake, Tomasz. "Will and Kate à l'ITHQ de Montréal". Le Polyscope. Retrieved 12 July 2011.
  27. ↑ Itinerary
  28. ↑ Day, Jim (21 June 2011). "Dalvay by the Sea to host The Event". The Guardian. Charlottetown PEI. Retrieved 30 June 2011.
  29. ↑ "UPDATE: Royal sightseers urged to walk into downtown". The Journal Pioneer. Summerside PEI. 30 June 2011. Retrieved 2 July 2011.
  30. ↑ Stewart, Dave (5 July 2011). "Duchess says she read Anne of Green Gables as a girl". The Guardian. Charlottetown PEI. Retrieved 6 July 2011.
  31. ↑ Allemang, John (1 July 2011). "Beloved Anne of Green Gables beckons the Duchess". The Globe and Mail. Toronto ON. Retrieved 2 July 2011.
  32. ↑ Wingrove, Josh (6 July 2011). "Royal visit keeps fire-ravaged Slave Lake's ordeal in the spotlight". The Globe and Mail. Toronto ON. Retrieved 10 July 2011.
  33. ↑ "Creek level dropping in Alberta town that faced fire, then flooding". Winnipeg Free Press. Winnipeg MB. The Canadian Press. 9 July 2011. Retrieved 10 July 2011.
  34. ↑ "A town damaged by fire prepares to welcome royal couple". CTV Edmonton. Edmonton AB. 5 July 2011. Retrieved 5 July 2011.
  35. ↑ Hunt, Stephen (7 July 2011). "Skoki Lodge builds royal loo for William and Kate". Calgary Herald. Calgary AB. Retrieved 10 July 2011.
  36. ↑ Proudfoot, Shannon (8 July 2011). "Hats off for Will and Kate in Calgary". Edmonton Journal. Edmonton AB. Retrieved 10 July 2011.
  37. 1 2 "William says Canada 'far exceeded' expectations". CBC.ca. Toronto ON. 7 July 2011. Retrieved 10 July 2011.
  38. ↑ Forbes, Bryce; Selina Renfrow (9 July 2011). "Royal couple attracts record parade crowd". Calgary Herald. Calgary AB. Retrieved 10 July 2011.
  39. ↑ "Royals urged to skip Calgary Stampede". The Toronto Sun. Toronto ON. 13 June 2011. Retrieved 30 June 2011.; Blizzard, Christina (20 June 2011). "Is cruelty to pancakes next?". The Toronto Sun. Toronto ON. Retrieved 30 June 2011.
  40. ↑ "PETA urges William and Kate to skip planned visit to Stampede". The Globe and Mail. Toronto ON. The Canadian Press. 30 June 2011. Retrieved 2 July 2011.
  41. ↑ Komarnick, Jamie (1 July 2011). "PETA urges royal couple to skip Calgary Stampede". Calgary Herald. Calgary AB. Retrieved 2 July 2011.
  42. ↑ "Horse dies following Calgary Stampede race". CBC.ca. Toronto ON. The Canadian Press. 9 July 2011. Retrieved 10 July 2011.
  43. ↑ Martin, Kevin (7 July 2011). "Embattled preacher allowed to attend Stampede Parade". Calgary Sun. Calgary AB. Retrieved 10 July 2011.
  44. ↑ Valpy, Michael (8 July 2011). "So long, young royals, you did good". CBC. Archived from the original on 11 July 2011. Retrieved 8 July 2011.
  45. ↑ "Royals William and Kate to Attend L.A. 'BAFTA Brits to Watch' Event." 28 June 2011.
  46. ↑ British Academy of Film and Television Arts. "BAFTA To Host Inaugural 'BAFTA Brits to Watch' in Los Angeles."
  47. ↑ Er-Chua, Gloria (30 June 2011). "Blazer spotted on Catherine sells out". Toronto Star. Toronto ON. Retrieved 30 June 2011.; note that the blazer was sold out from many outlets the day of.
  48. ↑ "Prince William and Kate Middleton touch down in Canada – and Duchess of Cambridge changes dress". The Mirror. London UK. 30 June 2011. Retrieved 30 June 2011.
  49. ↑ La Rose, Lauren (1 July 2011). "Kate chooses Canada's colours, U.K. labels for Canada Day". The Globe and Mail. Toronto ON. Retrieved 2 July 2011.
  50. ↑ "Kate's trip: 40 outfits for 9 days?". CBS News. New York NY. 30 June 2011. Retrieved 30 June 2011.
  51. ↑ Smith, Joanna (29 June 2011). "Younger Canadians royally indifferent to tour, poll shows". The Toronto Star. Toronto ON. Retrieved 2 July 2011.
  52. ↑ Proudfoot, Shannon; Laura Baziuk. "Will and Kate visit war museum on final day in Ottawa". Montreal Gazette. Montreal QC. Retrieved 2 July 2011.
  53. ↑ Bates, Stephen (3 July 2011). "Royals heckled by protesters in Montreal". The Guardian. London UK. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
  54. ↑ Taber, Jane (1 July 2011). "'Kate-mania' draws huge crowd to Canada Day in Ottawa". The Globe and Mail. Toronto ON. Retrieved 2 July 2011.
  55. ↑ Curry, Bill (29 June 2011). "Sunshine plus Will and Kate could equal a half-million on the Hill". The Globe and Mail. Toronto ON. Archived from the original on 1 July 2011. Retrieved 2 July 2011.
  56. ↑ "Prince William and Kate Middleton urged to avoid 'cruel' rodeo on Canada visit by animal rights group". Daily Mirror. UK. 10 June 2011. Retrieved 25 June 2011.
  57. ↑ "Will and Kate urged to skip Calgary Stampede". Metro Vancouver. 21 June 2011. Retrieved 25 June 2011.
  58. ↑ "Quebec MNA bristles at cost of welcoming ‘parasites’ Will and Kate", Globe and Mail, 31 May 2011
  59. ↑ "Cheers, jeers greet Will and Kate in Montreal", The Gazette, 2 July 2011
  60. ↑ "Prince William, Kate undeterred by Quebec protests", Associated Press, 3 July 2011

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