Prince William & Catherine Fly to Canada for First Overseas Tour as Married Couple

Prince William and Princess Catherine Fly to

Canada for First Overseas Tour as Married Couple

Prince William and Princess Catherine have set off from London's Heathrow Airport to fly to Canada on Prince William and Princess Catherine's first overseas tour as a married couple. Prince William and Princess Catherine boarded a Royal Canadian Air Force plane bound for the capital, Ottawa.

When the Duke and Duchess, Prince William and Princess Catherine land in Canada, Prince William and Princess Catherine will be aware that they are about to embark on a tour that will be one of the defining moments of their lives as working members of the Royal family.

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William and Kate leave for Canada in matching navy suits

After months of preparation and planning the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge today, boarded a planet at Heathrow's London airport due to arrive at Ottawa, Canada 2pm local time. One of the aspects most (like myself) were eager to see is Kate's choice of style. The Duchess did not disappoint. Kate and William wore matching navy suits. Kate looked elegant in a fitted Roland Mouret Manon navy dress here and matching blazer with gold buttons by Canadian label Smythe.
 This look is reminiscent of the navy Alexander McQueen coat she wore at Irish Guards medal parade. She is clearly a fan of the military look again incorporating gold buttons with navy. She completed the look with Manolo Blahnik shoes and a Mulberry polly push lock midnight handbag available here. I think Kate looks flawless, on the first day of what will be a magnificent tour!

Prince William & Catherine Canada Tour Interactive Map

Prince William and Princess Catherine

Canada Tour Interactive Map

Prince William and Princess Catherine will soon arrive arrive Canada for what many outlets are calling a North American tour. This interactive map show the details of the Canada Tour by Prince William and Princess Catherine.
Prince William and Princess Catherine are spending the bulk of their time in Canada, with stops in Quebec, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Alberta, and the Northwest Territories.

Royal couple's Canadian tour on Dipity.

This Royal couple, Prince William and Princess Catherine's Canadian
tour interactive Map have the following features, Prince William and
Princess Catherine's Canadian tour interactive Timeline, Flipbook and
Prince William and Princess Catherine's Canadian tour interactive List.

Prince William Follows in Princess Diana - His Mother’s Footsteps

Prince William follows in Princess Diana -

His Mother’s Footsteps

It was the summer of 1983 when Prince Charles and Princess Diana came to Ottawa. When Prince William arrives in Ottawa on Thursday with his wife Princess Catherine, Prince William will have been well briefed about that tour — his mother’s first trip to Canada — and the phenomenal impact Princess Diana had when most everyone assumed they were observing the next Queen. At 21, Princess Diana was already a mother, although Prince William, approaching his first birthday, was left with nannies back in London.

Prince William and Princess Catherine have an unusual amount of free time built into Prince William and Princess Catherine's official agenda, which suggests that Prince William and Princess Catherine either have private outings planned or will be surprising the huge trailing press corps and public with some impromptu public activities.

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Newsweek shows Diana aged 50 walking alongside daughter in law Kate

Diana, Princess of Wales 50th birthday would have been this Friday. William and Kate will be kicking off their tour of Canada, No doubt thoughts of his mother will be firmly placed in William's mind on what would have been a memorable occasion. What would Diana have looked like now? Would she celebrate her 50th with Harry, William and Kate at an intimate gathering or would she have celebrated in style with her friends such as Elton John? Newsweek's Tina Brown has written an extensive article explaining what Diana may be like now. In my opinion the article is quite tasteless, What do you think?

An age projected photo of Diana strolling alongside her admiring daughter in law, the Duchess of Cambridge features on the cover of the popular magazine. Diana's digitally engineered photo showing what she would look like now is of very poor quality, A photo of Kate attending Sam Waley Cohen's wedding in a Zara dress is placed beside Diana. Brown writes 'Diana would have gone the J crew and Galliano route a la Michelle Obama, always knowing how to mix the casual with the glam. There is no doubt she would have kept her chin taut with strategic botox shots and her bare arms buff from the gym. I believe her best male friend in later years would have been, poignantly, her reviled first husband. She would have initially found Kate threatening. Her edge over Kate, of course was her own epic of princessly suffering, which would always make Diana's story more interesting'. She continues to state that she thinks Diana would be living in a New York apartment and would even be friends on facebook with Camilla. (I for one can not see this as a remote possibility) 

All of this of course, is simply speculation. Diana was so greatly loved by millions, everyone would have their own idea of how she would have been now. I think Princess Diana and Duchess Kate would have been close friends. They share a love for fashion and mostly a love for William. Diana would still be beautiful and probably promoting her charitable causes. At this time of her life she may have been given the opportunity to retreat from the public eye with the media glare now firmly on Kate.

Diana's possible facebook wall

A QUICK ENDING

The Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill had its first reading in Parliament last week and now it’s scheduled for a second reading tomorrow. Usually when a Government has tried to rush through legislation it’s been to deal with urgent issues like terrorism. On this occasion am I being unkind or does the Government’s untimely haste have an ulterior motive? Perhaps if the bill can be hurried through quickly enough it will make it onto the statute book before there’s time for the public to lobby their MP. After all it is this insultingly-named piece of drafting that seeks to withdraw legal aid for family cases. It is the punishment of those offenders daring to try to cream off state funds to rescue themselves from an unhappy marriage; sentencing many to a lifetime of penury because they can no longer afford a lawyer to argue their case for financial provision and all for the withdrawal of legal aid funding that for many was repayable in any event, once funds had been recovered from their spouse or the family home sold. Quickie legislation to oust funding for quickie divorces.

William is Kate's Mr Darcy: The Duchess is a relative of Jane Austen

William and Kate have shared a fairy tale romance thus far. You could say William is Kate's Mr. Darcy! It has emerged today that the Duchess of Cambridge is a distant relative of the amazing Jane Austen. Duchess Kate's family history has been researched tirelessly since the Royal engagement. Genealogy website ancestry.com made the fascinating discovery while tracing the Middleton's roots.
According to the site, Kate and Jane Austen are eleventh cousins, six times removed. Obviously a very distant relative but there is certainly a connection...... The link they share is none other than a 15th century ancestor, Henry Percy, 2nd Earl of Northumberland who was later killed in The War of the Roses. (Also a relative of Pippa's close friend George Percy) Anastasia Harman, lead historian for ancestry.com said 'Finding this connection between the Duchess of Cambridge and Jane Austen is very exciting, since, in many ways, Catherine is the modern day Jane Austen heroine: A middle class girl marrying the future King of England. 
Jane Austen may have written about a happily ever after but it seems Catherine has found a non fiction hero to spend her life with - far past the epilogue'.
Austen is known for writing novels such as 'Pride and Prejudice', I'm sure you've all seen either the Keira Knightley version or Colin Firth's starring role as Mr.Darcy. Sadly Austen never married. No doubt if she were alive today she would love to write about the romance between William and Kate!

Tombstone Tuesday: Edward Dorsey Cole

Edward Dorsey Cole, the son of Horace and Martha A. Cole, was born in Prince William County on October 10, 1843.  He lived in the county until he was 18 years of age, when he joined the 15th Virginia Cavalry during the Civil War.  He eventually settled in Fredericksburg, Virginia and became a prominent citizen there.

Here's a classic example of a home town boy making good.   

Fredericksburg Daily Star
25 August 1917, pg. 3, col. 3

COL. E. D. COLE DEAD - Passed Away Suddenly at buffalo Lithia Springs.  Prominent Citizen and Confederate Veteran - Body Will Be Brought Here Sunday.  Col. Edward Dorsey Cole, one of Fredericksburg's most prominent and progressive citizens, died at Buffalo Lithia Springs, Saturday at noon, from an attack of acute indigestion and apoplexy, aged 74 years.  The deceased was born in Prince William county, where he lived until he was 18 years old, his parents being Mr. Horace Cole and Mrs. Martha A. Cole.  At 18 he entered the Confederate army in 15th regiment Va. Cavalry.  Later he was detailed as a courier for Gen. J. E. B. Stuart until the latter's death, when he joined Col. John S. Mosby's command, and remained with it until the end of the war.  After the war Col. Cole came to Fredericksburg and secured employment with Southern Express Company.  He married his cousin, Miss Alice Cole, daughter of the late Counsellor Cole, after which he returned to Prince William and engaged in farming for two years. He then returned to Fredericksburg and formed a co-partnership with Mr. Richard G. Swift in produce business at the stand on Commerce Street which he now owns and is occupied by the firm of E. L. Jones.  This firm continued until the death of Mr. Swift when it was dissolved and Col. Cole conducted the business of selling lumber and building supplies under the firm style of E. D. Cole most successfully for over 40 years and from which he retired some three years ago.  Col. Cole was ever active in every movement that he thought tended to the advancement of Fredericksburg.  He served continuously in the City Council for 28 years and was its president for four years.  He was a deacon in the Baptist church, chairman of the public property committee of the church and one of its most efficient working members.  He had been president of the Fair Society, and was a director at the time of his death, a State proxy of the R., F. & P.R.R. for years and a stockholder in the Princess Anne Hotel and other institutions looking to building up of the city.  Col. Cole as a vice-president and a director of the Farmers and Merchants State Bank.  He has been remarkably successful all through his career and leaves a large estate.  Col. Cole will be greatly missed in the community.  The deceased is survived by his wife, Mrs. Alice Cole, and by two daughters, Mrs. W. L. Brannan and Mrs. J. B. Rawlings.  The body will be brought here Sunday when the funeral arrangements will be made.

Prince William & Catherine drop in on Wimbledon, do the wave in the Royal Box

Prince William and Princess Catherine
Drop in on Wimbledon

Prince William and bride Princess Catherine surprised fourth-seeded
Andy Murray as Prince William and Princess Catherine made their first appearance as a married couple in Wimbledon's Royal Box on Monday.
British player Murray cooperated by winning his fourth-round match over Frenchman Richard Gasquet 7-6 (3), 6-3, 6-2, and afterward Murray apologized because he had a scruffy little beard. He did, however, manage a courtly bow to the couple, Prince William and Princess Catherine after his victory.

The couple, Prince William and Princess Catherine stood and applauded Murray after his win and stayed through Venus Williams' loss to Tsvetana Pironkova and most of defending champion Rafael Nadal's win over Juan Martin del Potro.

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Duchess Kate wears Alice by Temperly to Wimbledon

The Duchess of Cambridge looked radiant as she arrived at Wimbledon today with Prince William to cheer on Andy Murray. Wearing a white Alice by Temperly Moriah dress, all eyes were on the Duchess today. The dress is described as 'A pretty pleated knee length dress that will show off your slimline figure. The white disks on the shoulder give the dress an interesting twist. The little white dress is the perfect choice for a simple and elegant summer outfit'.
At Wimbledon the tennis players must only wear white while playing, perhaps Kate is paying homage to this tradition? White is appearing quite frequently in Kate's wardrobe lately, Most recently at Trooping The Colour where she wore a white Alexander McQueen dress coat.
Kate teamed her Temperly dress with her favourite LK Bennett sledge 2 pumps. As for jewellery she wore navy earrings made from Prince Diana's sapphire and diamond earrings.
I think Kate looked stunning today. According to the Alice Temperly site the dress sold out in record time 'We have now sold out online of the dress worn by the Duchess of Cambridge  today'. 

White as been Kate's colour of choice lately. Which one of her outfits do you prefer? Check out my poll and vote for your favourite!

Kate is a vision in white at Wimbledon

Duchess Kate has been a fan of Wimbledon for years. Recently a letter was released that she wrote to Wimbledon chiefs thanking them for making her visits so enjoyable. Over the past few weeks speculation has been rife that Kate would become patron of Wimbledon. However with the Royal tour to Canada only days away it certainly seemed unlikely. Today, Kate and William arrived at Wimbledon at 12.30 and received a huge applause from the crowd as they entered centre court to see British number one Andy Murray play against Richard Gasquet. It is a beautiful day for it too. 30 degrees c. St James's palace said 'Kate is a keen tennis fan'. The couple may have wanted to relax before jetting off on their tour. It is the first time the couple have sat in the Royal box at Wimbledon.  They will be joined by one of the most successful tennis players of our time, Billie Jean King. Kate looks beautiful in an Alice Temperly white dress while William opted for a navy suit. It is striking how happy and in love the Royal couple look!

Kate enjoyed a chat with Tim Henman's mother

Prince William & Catherine Canadian tour has its own iPhone app

Prince William and Princess Catherine Canadian tour has its own iPhone App

Royal watchers will have a new smartphone-friendly way to keep track of
Prince William and Princess Catherine during their upcoming tour of Canada. The federal government this week released its official "Royal Tour 2011" app on iTunes, offering mobile access to photos, video and tweets about Prince William and Princess Catherine's nine-day trip, which begins on June 30.

The app also includes Prince William and Princess Catherine's full itinerary and is accompanied by an official Facebook page, YouTube channel and a mobile site for users of other mobile devices.

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Prince William Thanks Irish Guards for Their Royal Wedding Presense

Prince William thanks Irish Guards for Their
Royal Wedding Presence at Medal Presentation

The Duke of Cambridge, Prince William paid tribute today to the "extraordinary" soldiers who, within days of returning from fighting in Afghanistan, took part in his marriage celebrations. Six soldiers from the 1st Battalion, Irish Guards, swapped their combat uniforms for ceremonial dress to help out with the Prince William and Princess Catherine's Royal Wedding - with a handful returning to the UK just seven days earlier.

Wearing their famous bearskin hats and red tunics, the soldiers formed a Queen's Guard when Prince William tied the knot with Princess Catherine on April 29. Prince William, who became Colonel of the Irish Guards in February, wore their striking red ceremonial uniform on his big day.

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Duchess Kate's style at the Irish Guards medal parade

Duchess Kate looked beautiful today, performing her first military role as a member of the Royal family. The 29 year old chose a navy Alexander McQueen pre fall 2011 coat. On Net a Porter the coat is described as 'a double breasted frock coat, navy wool, buttoned epaulets, long sleeves, front welt pockets, slant pockets, high curved front and vent at back. Tailored close to the body this is a commanding outerwear choice'. 
The stunning coat is available to buy for just over £1,333  Here. Kate wore the beautiful coat with a navy dress, navy Prada suede shoes a gold shamrock brooch owned by the Royal family, citrine drop earrings, a silver bracelet with the letter 'C' engraved in it. and an Anya Hindmarch clutch. Kate chose a beautiful hat by Rachel Trevor Morgan This outfit in my opinion is the most stylish she has worn to a royal engagement thus far. The tailoring fits her perfectly and shows off her slender figure. Kate is developing a signature style and when she chose McQueen for her wedding dress it was a sign of things to come. At the Trooping The Colour celebrations Kate wore a white McQueen coat. It was  also a nice touch how Kate seemed to be matching William's uniform! Her natural make up completed the look perfectly!

The McQueen coat is still available at NET A PORTER

The Duchess of Cambridge carries out first military role as a royal

Duchess Kate performed her first military role as a royal presenting medals to soldiers who have recently returned from serving in Afghanistan. Prince William is Colonel of the Irish Guards. A source said Duchess Kate was very pleased to be undertaking this role as the regiment is 'so close to her husband's heart'. Kate looked stunning in a navy double breasted Alexander McQueen coat with gold buttons with matching shoes, and clutch. Kate wore a beautiful golden Irish shamrock brooch on her coat and a beautiful silver bracelet with the letter 'C' engraved on it. Kate has been wearing more McQueen lately and it suits her excellently.  I love this look on her and it's perfect for the occasion. Being a fashionable royal is a difficult task for anyone, but Kate is pulling it off wonderfully. A little girl handed Kate flowers and she and William appeared to thoroughly enjoy talking to her! Both William and Kate looked very happy throughout the day. It was certainly a royal occasion with Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall also in attendance.

New York approves gay marriage - ABC News http://ht.ly/5q6nS

Prince William & Catherine USA Tour: Hollywood BAFTA event 'sold out'

Prince William and Princess Catherine's Hollywood BAFTA event 'sold out'

If Prince William and his bride Princess Catherine's trip to Los Angeles were a movie, its pre-opening box-office sales would indicate an upcoming blockbuster.

The one glitzy event of the Royal couple, Prince William and
Princess Catherine's July 8-10 visit to Hollywood is the inaugural BAFTA
Brits to Watch dinner July 9 at the Belasco Theater in downtown Los Angeles.
Tickets to the black-tie affair were offered only to studios, networks, talent agencies and video game companies.

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Duchess Kate's detailed tour plans!

The itinerary for William and Kate's first Royal tour has been officially announced including an hourly schedule including detailed information regarding their trip to Canada and California. On the official Royal tour website, The Duke of Cambridge left a message 'Catherine and I are very much looking forward to our tour of Canada. We hope to be able to meet as many people as possible and to see as much of the extraordinary and diverse country as we can. I have wonderful memories from my last times in Canada, and as such we consider it a great privilege to have been invited to Canada for our first joint tour'.

It seems the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are clearly very excited about this tour. For fans of Kate's style we will all be eager to see what designers/styles/colours she chooses. Will she recycle old favourites? Will she wear more McQueen and Issa? I think we will see Kate honour British fashion while staying true to her signature elegant style. As you will see the itinerary is very interesting and the couple's schedule is full!

Thursday June 30 Ottawa, Canada

2.00: William and Kate will arrive at the Canada reception centre in Ottawa, MacDonald Cartier International Airport where they will be welcomed and greeted. 

2.35: The couple will attend their first public event laying a wreath at the National War Memorial. They will pay their respects to Canadians who lose their lives in the name of peace and freedom.

National War Memorial Ottawa

3.15.: The Official welcoming ceremony will take place at Rideau Hall, The governor general and the prime minister will officially welcome their Royal highness's. The event will include a 21 gun salute. I think this event will be the beginning of Kate expressing her sense of style for the tour. She will most likely choose a formal dress or suit.

6.00.: The royal couple will attend the Celebration of Youth Barbecue reception. 

Friday, July 1 Canada day!

10.30 a.m.: William and Kate will partake in the Canada day celebrations beginning with the Canadian Citizenship Ceremony at the Canadian Museum of Civilisation.

12.05: Canada Day Parliament Hill Noon Show: William and Kate will join millions of Canadians celebrating Canada's 144th birthday. This will be a laid back affair for the couple giving them the chance to interact with people and enjoy the day. They will be treated to full military honours, a 21 gun salute and a fly past by the Canadian forces CF-18s and snowbirds.

Saturday July 2 National Capital Region and Montréal Quebec

12.40: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge continue the great Canadian tradition of planting a tree in the Royal Grove area at Rideau hall commemorating the Royal tour.

1.10: Reception with Canadian veterans and their families at the Canadian war museum. 

Montréal Quebec

3.50: The couple will arrive at the Montréal Pierre Elliot Trudeau International Airport.

4.15: William and Kate will visit Sainte Justine University Hospital Centre, the largest mother/child centre in Canada. This will be an important visit for Kate. People will be eager to see how she interacts with patients and if she displays the affectionate warmth that Princess Diana did.

5.45: The couple will be treated to an experience in tourism and hospitality at a cooking workshop at the Institut de Tourisme et d'hotelliere du Québec.

9.55: After a very hectic day, William and Kate will depart for Québec city on boards HMCS Montréal. 

Sunday July 3 Québec City, Quebec

10:00:	Upon arrival in Quebec, Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge join the crew of HMCS Montréal in worship.
10:45:	The 2011 Royal Tour in Québec continues with the arrival of Their Royal Highnesses on board HMCS Montréal.
11:10:	Their Royal Highnesses arrive at la Maison Dauphine to meet the staff and people who benefit or have benefitted from the services offered at the facility. La Maison Dauphine is a community leader in delivering a variety of programs to street youth of Québec. Kate will be able to adapt a more relaxed style here. I expect we shall see sophisticated yet casual clothing.
12:15	Freedom of the City Ceremony at Québec City Hall – *Public Event Their Royal Highnesses experience the Freedom of the City Ceremony that acknowledges the relationship of trust and friendship between Québec City and the Royal 22e Régiment service members.
3.30:	Their Royal Highnesses will join the community in celebrating the 375thanniversary of the Lauzon “seigneurie”, the 150th anniversary of the founding of Lévis, and the 10th anniversary of the new City of Lévis.
6:50:	The 2011 Royal Tour of Prince Edward Island begins with the arrival of Their Royal Highnesses at Charlottetown Airport.

Monday July 4 Charlottetown and Summerside, Prince Edward Island.

10.05:  

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrive at Province House, the second oldest active legislature building in Canada, to highlight the important role it and Great 

George Street played in Confederation

12.35:His Royal Highness highlights the innovative contributions made by Canada’s military to the training of search and rescue pilots by participating in a training session for the “waterbird” emergency landing procedure in a Sea King helicopter at Dalvay-by-the-Sea. This engagment is very close to William's heart. As a pilot with the RAF he would have immense respect for pilots.

1.45:	In one of Canada’s unique National Parks, Their Royal Highnesses learn about the Aboriginal, Acadian and Celtic cultural and culinary traditions of Prince Edward Island.

3:55	Highlighting the active role the Canadian Coast Guard and Prince Edward Island take in Maritime safety and their contribution to the national effort in navigation, icebreaking, and environmental response. During this day William and Kate will each steer their own boat in a dragon boat race! There amy be some friendly competition between the Royals!
7:40	The 2011 Royal Tour of the Northwest Territories begins with the arrival of Their Royal Highnesses at Yellowknife Airport   Tuesday July 5 Yellowknife, Northwest territories

11.40: Official Arrival to the Northwest Territories The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrive at Somba K’e Civic Plaza to take part in Aboriginal traditions and activities, including traditional drumming, dancing and sports.
1:05:	Session of Youth Parliament at the Legislative Assembly William and Kate will hear from NWT’s youth about their challenges and where they see themselves in the future and experience this region’s unique legislative system which combines Aboriginal traditions of consensus with the traditions of the Westminster parliamentary system.
3:30:	Canadian Rangers Event at Blachford Lake At Blachford Lake, Their Royal Highnesses meet the First Canadian Ranger Patrol Group, part-time reservists who serve their country and their communities by conducting surveillance and sovereignty patrols in locations throughout the North. Blachford Lake
5:15:	While at the Blachford Lake Lodge, Their Royal Highnesses will have the opportunity to meet and interact with NWT Aboriginal elders and young adults that will highlight their unique and innovative educational program that integrates elements of traditional Aboriginal knowledge and learning into a university-accredited program. Wednesday, July 6 William and Kate will have a day off to rest and enjoy the sights of Canada in privacy. With their schedule so full this will be a welcome day for the young couple! Thursday July 7 Calgary Alberta

4:30:	The 2011 Royal Tour of Alberta begins with the arrival  The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at the Calgary International Airport taking part in the White Hat Ceremony – a long-standing tradition in Calgary and a symbol of Western hospitality.
5:00:	At the University of Calgary W21C Research and Innovation Centre, Their Royal Highnesses attend a presentation on cutting-edge health research and innovation taking place in Calgary and what lays ahead for future health research in Canada.
7:25:	Government of Canada Reception at BMO Centre On the last evening of their tour, William and Kate are guests of honour at a reception where the Prime Minister expresses his gratitude for their support and presents a gift from the Government of Canada. Kate will no doubt choose a stunning gown for this event. I hope to see something similar to the rose sequined Jenny Packham gown she wore to the ARK gala dinner. Friday July 8 Calgary, Alberta

8:50:	Calgary Stampede Parade Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrive at Bow Valley College where Parade-goers and viewers at home have a chance to see the Royal Couple as they kick-off the 2011 Calgary Stampede Parade, the second largest parade in the world.
11:30:	Reception hosted by the Alberta Government At the ENMAX Conservatory at the Calgary Zoo, Their Royal Highnesses witness Alberta’s significant contribution and commitment to research and development in science and technology.
12:45:	Official Departure Ceremony from Canada and Alberta The Governor General, the Prime Minister, the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta, and the Premier of Alberta bid farewell to Their Royal Highnesses at the Official Departure Ceremony complete with full military honours, a 21-gun salute, inspection of the Guard of Honour by His Royal Highness. At this point the couple will set off for their brief visit to California having enjoyed the hospitality and sights of Canada!