Approximately 300,000 people poured onto the government grounds and nearby streets to catch a glimpse of the royal couple as they joined Canada Day celebrations on Parliament Hill on Friday—reportedly the largest Canada Day crowd ever.
Some people had camped out overnight to get the prime spots that provided the best opportunity of shaking hands with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, more affectionately known as Will and Kate.
Earlier in the day, the couple had joined Governor General David Johnston in a special swearing-in ceremony of 25 new Canadian citizens at the Museum of Civilization, where they handed out plaques and Canadian flags.
Canadians seemed genuinely pleased that the pair had chosen Canada as the site of their first official trip abroad as huge crowds gathered wherever their royal highnesses went and enthusiastically welcomed them.
Although looking a little overwhelmed by it all, the couple were at their warmest when they “walked about,” talking to and shaking hands with as many people as they could.
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The newlyweds would react and then look at each other when the crowds cheered and clapped for them. Initially, William looked less at ease than his wife as he made several adjustments to his tie and blinked a lot—all quite endearing.
Kate wore a solid white dress, red fascinator, red shoes, and carried a red Chinoise fan-shaped purse with a tassel. Her hat was emulated by many of the young ladies in the crowd as there was an abundance of fascinators in the predominantly red- and white-clad celebrants on the hill.
Canada designed a flag for Prince William, unveiled on Thursday, which will only be used when he is in Canada. A flag was also designed for Prince Charles. The Canadian Heraldic Authority at Rideau Hall in Ottawa worked in co-operation with Buckingham Palace officials to design the flags, the first created for members of the Royal Family since 1962 when the Queen adopted a personal flag for her own use in Canada.
The couple seemed genuinely happy and even a bit surprised to see the huge crowds present at each of the events in Ottawa.
In his speech on Parliament Hill, William thanked James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, and Prime Minister Stephen Harper for their warm welcome.
“I am absolutely delighted to be back in Canada, this wonderful country, and I am happy to have the opportunity of knowing you better. I am excited to be able to share this with Catherine because she heard about Canada, not from her parents but from her grandfather, who held this country dear to his heart for he trained in Alberta as a young pilot during the Second World War,” he said.
He went on to say that his grandmother, “the Queen of Canada,” had asked him “to convey her warmest good wishes to the people of Canada and her happy and abiding memories of being on Parliament Hill with the Duke of Edinburgh, one year ago.”
He also talked about the impending withdrawal of Canadian troops from their combat role in Afghanistan. “This draws to a close an episode of which all Canadians can be immensely proud. Our own forces have always led the world in rallying to the defence of freedom. From Vimy Ridge and Juno Beach, through Korea and the Balkans, to Kandahar province, the sacrifice of Canadians has been universally revered and respected.”
In his speech welcoming their highnesses, Harper said, “Now of course ladies and gentlemen, today we are especially blessed. We have two special guests joining our national celebrations; they are the world’s most famous newlyweds, the young couple who represent our unbreakable link with the past and our unqualified optimism for the future.”
From Ottawa the couple will visit Quebec City; Charlottetown and Summerside, PEI; and Yellowknife, NWT. The tour will end after they attend the Calgary Stampede on July 8.
The Royal Tour can be followed on www.royaltour.gc.ca .
