There has been tremendous excitement surrounding this tour, more so than William and Kate's tour of India and Bhutan earlier this year for two very special reasons. Prince George, who previously joined his parents during the tour of Australia and New Zealand, is undertaking his second royal tour at the tender age of three. Whilst it's sixteen-month-old Princess Charlotte's first tour and the Cambridges first as a family of four - a special milestone.
We were all incredibly excited to get a glimpse into the little Princess' personality and we saw some lovely moments between Kate and her daughter.
Kate held Charlotte as they disembarked and William held George's hand. Richard Palmer reported that when they got to the bottom of the steps attentive Kate crouched down and asked George, "Are you OK?" before stroking his hair and cheek.
The family were welcomed by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife Sophie; Governor General of Canada David Johnston and his wife Sharon; Lieutenant Governor Judith Guichon; and Premier of British Columbia Christy Clark and her son Hamish.
George meets the PM.
The Duchess greeted locals and told the Premier's son Hamish - who was dressed in a beige suit: "That's a lovely suit and tie."
Both George and Charlotte were impeccably behaved and surprisingly alert given it was midnight UK time when they arrived.
After meeting the Trudeaus and other dignitaries, the Cambridges turned to pose for photos. Prince George gave a wave but seemed far more interested in the aircraft. There was a very sweet moment when he turned around to wave goodbye to Sophie Trudeau.
Kate revealed George was "super excited" about travelling on the plane. That was very much evident as the Prince was spotted peeking through the window.
And Princess Charlotte enjoyed having a good look too :)
A lovely shot of William and George.
From there, they travelled to Government House - which will be their base for the duration of the trip - and dropped off George and Charlotte with Nanny Maria.
Next up, it was time for the official welcoming ceremony at the British Columbia Parliament Buildings. The couple were running a little late - arriving thirty minutes behind schedule.
A 10,000 strong crowd gathered to catch a glimpse of the royals.
This image shared by Rebecca English gives one an idea of the numbers.
The Duke and Duchess walk the red carpet to cheers from thousands of well-wishers.
Kate received flowers from 14-year-old Vicky Foster. Vicky has cystic fibrosis and, despite her need for continuous treatment, remains incredibly positive. She is a huge fan of the Royal family and was thrilled to be granted her wish of presenting Kate with flowers by the Children's Wish Foundation of Canada.
Kate meets locals.
Rebecca Deacon gathering posies of flowers.
Prince William mingling with the crowds.
Readers who were there said it was a fantastic event. The atmosphere was amazing and the crowd adored William and Kate.
The couple paid their respects by laying a wreath at the Cenotaph at the BC Parliament buildings.
William and Kate signed the visitors book.
The couple enjoyed performances of traditional dances.
William and Kate looked delighted with the warm reception they received.
The 2011 Canada tour was very much known as the "honeymoon tour" and we saw plenty of romantic moments between the couple; we're very much seeing that on this tour too. Below, the Cambridges with the Trudeaus.
During his speech Prince William reflected on the 2011 Canada tour noting he and Kate have never forgotten the welcome they received. He added: "We are so pleased that George and Charlotte can be with us...beginning their own lifetime of friendship with this wonderful country. Catherine and I have asked to meet as many people from as many walks of life as we can while we are here."
Prince William jokes about his rusty french #royalvisitcanada https://t.co/maKvtl5XSR— Global BC (@GlobalBC) September 25, 2016
During his remarks, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau jokingly offered William and Kate parenting advice noting "it's a whole different story" travelling with kids but "if they're anything like our kids getting them back on a plane after a visit to our beautiful West Coast will really be a challenge".
Justin Trudeau offers Prince William and Kate some parenting advice for their visit #royalvisitcanada https://t.co/U6k9x6kUow— Global BC (@GlobalBC) September 25, 2016
After the welcoming ceremony, William and Kate returned to Government House where they met with the PM and Gov. Gen David Johnston.
Finally they posed for an official photo with Justin and Sophie Trudeau.
I think many of us agree Kate's choice of look for the arrival was very much a home run. The Duchess selected a bespoke blue fitted dress by go-to designer Jenny Packham. It's a beautifully crafted garment with gathered shoulders, a belt, and detailing at the collar and back. It's often been discussed on this blog how important tailoring is, and in this instance we're seeing a perfectly tailored garment. Kate's choice of blue came as no surprise - it is one of the colours of the flag of British Columbia - and family coordinated around the look.
A look at the back of the dress.
The sartorial tributes didn't end there. Kate's Lock & Co. hat with maple leaf detailing was another nod to her host country, adding another layer of elegant sophistication to the look and perfectly complemented by a chignon.
The Duchess wore a similar maple leaf hat by the milliners in red during the 2011 Canada tour.
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| Canadian Heritage Flickr |
As with the 2011 tour, Her Majesty loaned Kate the Maple Leaf Brooch.
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| i-images.co/Royal Collection |
The diamond Maple Leaf brooch has quite a storied history. It was given to Queen Elizabeth (later the Queen Mother), by her husband King George VI in advance of their 1939 Canadian tour. On the cusp of war, this was no ordinary tour, but it turned out to be hugely successful. The Queen Mother treasured the brooch until her death, whereupon it passed to the Queen. The Maple Leaf became the central national symbol of Canada with the introduction of the Canadian flag in 1965, which uses a highly stylized eleven-pointed maple leaf. As the Canadian emblem, it seems fitting royal ladies wear the brooch when undertaking Canadian tours. Below, we see HM wearing it during a 2010 visit to Canada.
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| Canadian Heritage Flickr |
The Duchess wore her G. Collins & Sons tanzanite earrings.
Kate completed the look with her chic Gianvito Rossi 105 Suede Pumps.
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| My Theresa |
And carried her L.K. Bennett Nina Clutch.
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| L.K. Bennett |
Moving to what George and Charlotte wore! George looked cute as a button in the Blue Sweater with Wooden Buttons, Boys Plaid Shirt and navy shorts by Pepa & Co. The items retail for £42, £39 and £36 respectively.
Princess Charlotte looked adorable in a darling blue and white dress. The brand/designer is unknown at present, but we'll update should that change. Charlotte wore one of her Amaia Kids bows in capri and the Mercedes Shoes by M&H (with many thanks to What Kate's Kids Wore).
VIDEOS:
- An arrival video available at YouTube.
- A video from the welcoming ceremony.
- A video of William and Kate with PM Justin and Sophie Trudeau.
Itinerary for Sunday, 25 September
- 10:45 am - Travel to Vancouver for a welcome at Jack Pool Plaza.
- Visit Sheway, a charity working to support mothers with addiction.
- Visit the Immigrant Services Society.
- A visit to Telus Gardens to meet young leaders.
- 3:00 pm - Next, a visit to Kitsilano Coast Guard Station to meet first responders.
Did you enjoy day one of Royal Tour Canada 2016? :)
Perfection!!!! Many of her outfits lately have been misses for me but this is just perfect!
ReplyDeleteI Completely Agree! Along With How She Coordinated The Family, Absolute Timeless Perfection! :)
DeleteLike you said this look was a home run. I love Kate in blue!
ReplyDeleteAlso, I don't know how I feel about the fact that Prince George, who is three years old, has visited more foreign countries than I have! Lol
My dad and mom watched the live feed with me since I insisted on watching it at the dinner table. My dad loved Prince George and how bored he seemed by it all haha
I'm surprised Kate didn't wear a bespoke piece by a Canadian designer
Her hair was perfect. I believe her hairdresser does a lot better job with updos than when Kate wears her hair down!
I Too Loved Watching The Streaming & Seeing My Family Peak At It With Rare Royal Curiosity! :)
DeleteYes, she hit it out of the park. It's a lovely dress, in and of itself and for the occasion. I didn't think the 2011 red maple leaf hat could be topped, but this one does it! Love its intricacy and the unexpected use of the blue color. I was a little surprised Charlotte didn't have a sweater on. I am in the US Pacific NW and while the afternoon was lovely, there was a bit of nip in the wind. But she looked darling--and not at all cold:). Even if Nanny has been resetting the kids' clocks, that's still something that they both looked so good and behaved so well at what was for them the middle of the night, especially after a long plane ride and being cooped up, and then all those strange people to meet. It all went very well, though.
ReplyDeleteJanet I Agree With All You Said! :) I Truly Believe We Are Seeing The Reflection of W&K's Thoughtful Hands On Parenting & Mindful Preparation of The Children, In How Adaptable They Were, Including Not Being Upset By All The People, Press, Protection Officers Etc. Plus I Looooved How Kate Effortlessly Bent Down To George's Level To Check On Him While Still Having Charlotte On Her Hip! This Little Prince & Princess Have Been Gifted With Wonderful Parents Who Clearly Have Their Priorities Straight! :)
DeleteAn incredible look from Kate, and interesting to see similarities between her garment and Mrs. Trudeau's. Looking forward to a wonderful tour!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful start to the tour!
ReplyDeleteIt really was! Really started off on great footing :) Can't wait for the rest!
DeleteLive post was too much to follow so writing now when its a bit "calmer" :P Glad I managed to catch the full post before going to bed!
ReplyDeleteOk.. Wow! I'm writing (most of) this right when they are arriving so I'm gonna be hyper excited. But dear god they look great! The kids are adorable and Kate freaking nailed the look! That blue Packham dress is splendid! The brooch! My favourite earrings! Gorgeous hat with maple leaves without being too much! The pair of nude shoes that actually match her skin! The updo! So perfect! The whole family! And nice that they wore blue to honour BC! And what a regal look! Kind of reminded me of the Queen Mother. Well, loosely and more modern ofc! But the same poise and regal feel of the look! And so many great details in the dress the more you look at it. The collar splitting both in back and front, the marked waist, the slightly flared sleeves. Such a home run indeed!
And poor little tired kids, a little timid! But they handled it really well. And Mum and Dad did too! Imagine the stresslevels of "what are the kids gonna do?!" walking out that plane! George made an instant friend in the PM as well I see.
Cannot wait for the rest of the tour!
What a great start of the tour and great that they managed to do the walkabout even after running late!!
Now, off to bed with me and see you all for another day of shennanigans!
Rebecca, as always you summed it all up with a bow! :) I completely agree with all your insights, especially about Kate & The Queen Mum! I got a kick when I read Charlotte's Post about the Maple Leaf Pin originating with The Queen Mum, & here I had just been thinking of her as she relates so much to Kate! :) Rounds it all out. :)
DeleteRebecca I always enjoy reading your posts! Becca is right you summed it up quite well. I think you must write very much like you talk, you can just feel your enthusiasm. There is an extra special air of excitement surrounding this tour and it is quite infectious. You are aso right about Kate's poise and the regalness of the look which i think has set the tone for the tour! cc
DeleteI like the photo of Justin Trudeau down on one knee in front of his future king. He is young enough that he just might live long enough, or his kids will. He needs to work hard to make sure the planet is habitable then. The PM is obviously a charming man. The Duke and Duchess appeared to be slightly reserved in his company.
DeleteI'm glad Prince William used his "rusty" French. The Queen always speaks some French in Canada. We know Katei speaks French, and I saw Rebecca Deacon react to something the PM said at the end of his speech.
It appeared to me that although Prince George was visibly tired and confused, Princess Charlotte was wide awake, watching the helicopters overhead, trying to grab that sparkling brooch, and responding to the people around her. Everyone was concentrating on him, and she was just cheerfully doing her thing. Kate did wipe her face once, and smiled at her. This child is in Princess Margaret and Prince Andrew's position. Her parents will need to see that she grows up with a destiny other than 'spare'! Prince Harry has found his work, but not a wife and family. Looking at the Europen royal families, one can also see the problems for adult second children. I hope Charlotte can avoid them.
DeleteThe Duchess reminded me so much of another duchess from a not-so-distant time: the Duchess of Windsor! The bearing, the elegance, the slender figure--so much like Wallis. Of course, in other respects they are extremely unalike and I doubt that Kate would be flattered hearing the comparison!
DeleteWhen did Kate straighten her teeth?
ReplyDeleteWhat kind of braces did she use? I've admired how perfect and straight her teeth are, then just noticed in the photo from the 2011 Canadian tour that her front teeth were less straight then. See these photos for comparison:
2011:
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WO0uf_dMc2c/V-c1I6A8ncI/AAAAAAAA_V4/qUvVwKTfwjkvPxHGErTbxljFbIXVlzSjQCLcB/s1600/kate%2Bcanada%2B21.jpg
2016:
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fI5vc2doAOw/V-Ryp7wOMKI/AAAAAAAA_I0/M-q1DBXdp-o75719p1k2Kf5HuPS4GbtyACLcB/s1600/kate%2Borane.jpg
Yes, she has definitely had them straightened. My guess would be Invisalign. It takes about a year to a year and a half, and one does not have to wear them all the time. So no need for anything on her teeth when out in public.
DeleteThx Anon that's facinating! I've often wondered what things have been changed or tweaked with Kate, as I look back at photos that pop up on occasion & I can never quite put my finger on what's different? In this case it looks like her teeth are all the same length, but I can't tell if it's only that or if they were adjusted/straightened too? Often I wonder if it's just the weight changes or the changes in the part in her hair from Dating to Engagement...... But when I see older photos she sometimes looks a tad too different to me.... But I can never put my finger on it? No matter, she appears to be a lovely lady inside & out! The rest are just details. :)
DeleteThose photographs were taken from very different angles. I can't tell whether her teeth are different.
DeleteI used Invisalign Teen as a teen instead of regular braces and I can definitely recommend it. Most people around you really won't notice!
DeleteErika - while it is true that it takes about 1 1/2 years and you don't have to wear them all the time, it is recommended that you wear them about 22 hrs/day. You get new aligners every 2 werks and if you do not wear them enough, the next ones will not fit because every pair is slightly different from the previous one. Plus, they put attachments on your teeth so you can see those even when you are not wearing your invisalign (except if you do not have attachments on your visible front teeth).
Deletestrange enough, Becca USA, I raher often tell that to myself when looking at photos of the wedding ..... was it just the make up ? anyway, she also smiles a bit differently .... anyway, she was absolutely perfect ! she loves blue colour and this sort of blue suits her so much and also matches so well with her hair colour ! that sort of dress seems especially invented for her ! and when I see her getting down the stairs carrying Charlotte and holding George's hand, I can't help thinking she definitely is a strong woman ! LOL .... Charlotte, I do hope you did get some sleep after posting so many informations, you really are the best !!!
DeleteIf you look at early photos , her bottom teeth were not aligned. One tooth in particular, jutted forward and, depending on the angle, made it look as if she were missing a tooth in some pictures. Now, they are perfectly straight. Cosmetic dentistry could have fixed the issue if not orthodontic work.
DeleteI say if you have the money or a good dental insurance policy why not have the best teeth you can. She is always scrutinize to the tenth degree. I am not rich but I just spent $6100.dollars for my 12 year old daughter teeth. She will have to wear braces for 2 years.
DeleteGreat coverage Charlotte! I can't get over how gorgeous Catherine looks! That hat is magnificent!
ReplyDeleteI agree! Love, love, love this look, and the hat especially! What a great start, what a lovely family! :)
DeleteChances are Prince William had to be awakened to deplane in Victoria, and maybe was still half asleep when he reached Canadian soil. It was midnight in England, after all. But he would soon have had dinner and bedtime at Government House, and a good night's sleep. It was actually brilliant planning to arrive in Victoria at about the same time they left London, so that the day could wind down from late afternoon.
ReplyDeleteA minor detail, but I like the way Kate's belt and Charlotte's sash fasten in a very similar way at the back waist. Charlotte predictably got a handful of diamond brooch at one point. All the blue outfits are beautiful. Kate's is wonderfully designed and yes, tailored, with a very manageable skirt length and style. The children are very nicely dressed. William is in his usual dark arrival suit, which blends in with the others. Isn't his tie a Canadian military tie?
As in New Zealand, the official welcome to Canada happened immediately, therefore dress was elegant. Kate wore one of her very best looks ever.
Obviously I meant Prince George! LOL. I am only two hours east of Victoria, but it is past my bedtime and I'm far from making sense. Poor Charlotte is brilliant in the wee small hours in Britain.
DeleteHihi, I know it was just a typo, but William having to be awakened and bedtime and all of that got me giggling. The whole family has probably already gotten their sleep on Canada time + they had beds on the plane.
DeleteWilliam's tie is the regimental tie of the Household division of the British Army. He wears it quite often. Other than a honorary member of the Canadian Rangers, William doesn't have any Canadian military colonelships.
DeleteI thought he is colonel of the Irish guards.
DeleteThank you, Skippyboo!
DeleteAbsolutely stunning!!! Colour suits her well. Got up at 4 in the morning Sri Lankan time to watch this live I was so excited.
ReplyDeleteawh. I can relate. I got up at five to watch the Royal wedding. If Kate only knew what we do to support her. :)
DeleteLove how Charlotte has a hold on Kate's brooch. "I don't care what Gan Gan and Mummy say, 1 is the perfect age to wear diamonds!"
ReplyDeleteThis ensemble is sheer perfection. The blue popped against the red, the diamonds popped against the blue, and the earrings have become my new fav with this rewear. Seeing them sparkling as Kate moved, they are just gorgeous!! And the hat is so much like the red one which is one of my favorites!!!
If anyone reading is a fan of "Friends", I felt like Ross when he's eaten all the maple sugar candy. That's how excited I was when the plane landed :)
Phyl, You Cracked Me Up From Diamonds To Maple Syrup! lol :) I Was That Excited Too! :)
DeleteYeah, the earrings were already high on my favourite list but watching them move and sparkle was absolutley mesmerizing!
Delete:)
Delete@Phyl: I TOTALLY remember that episode when Ross ate all the maple sugar candy LOL! Thanks for the laugh & I felt the same way!
DeleteWow! She looks flawless, effortlessly elegant! And to see how her family co-ordinated their outfits accordingly is simply precious!
ReplyDeleteI must say that I was truly amazed by all the gorgeous looks that were put together for Kate by readers of the blog, I would have loved to pinch some of those gorgeous items for myself Lol! I do hope that Kate wears that impeccable lace dress she wore in France on the second day of the Somme commemorations, it would be great to see it again and also find out who the designer was Lol, I loved that dress!
Looking forward to the rest of the tour :)
Love Avee in SA
I totally agree Avee, I'd love to see the lace dress from the Somme again too, although I'm not sure the engagements are that suitable for most of the rest of the tour. I don't know what other readers think, but having seen this blue arrival dress, I'm starting to think that the mystery designer of the Somme dress might be Jenny Packham. There's something about the fit of this dress on Kate, the little puffed sleeve and the split collar that so reminds me of a tweaked version of the Somme dress. Just a thought.
DeleteYou might have some there about the Somme dress being a JP. The fit and structure is similar.
DeleteI might've burned dinner a bit whilst being riveted to your live blog during dinner prep, Charlotte! ;-) I don't know how you manage it all but we sure are grateful to you for everything you do!
ReplyDeleteKate looked AMAZING. I wouldn't change a thing about her look. The whole family=goals ;-) The tender mother/daughter/son moments....makes me emotional just seeing how first & foremost Kate is a loving mother.
Especially moving to see Will & Kate stop & talk to the trio of service men/woman during the ceremony. They were behind schedule but made such an effort to recognize those folks & their sacrifices.
And Sophie Trudeau looks smashing!!
Anon, So Well Said About Will & Kate + 2:) Agree Agree Agree! :) So Sorry About Dinner! lol :)
DeleteLOL, thank you, Becca!! ;-)
Deletelol, Colorado. Next time you'll have to take out. :)
DeleteI commented on the perfection of this outfit on the previous post but looking at these photos, I just wanted to add that the contrast between the blue of her hat and the shade of her hair is just lovely. So pretty.
ReplyDeleteOh, this wretched machine did something with my comment - serves me right for being in a hurry. Apologise if something strange or a duplicate comes up.
DeleteAs I said also in earlier post - love the blue - so perfect - noticed that there was a blue flag on Government House - not sure what that means - and blue for decorations - as noted earlier - Kate is very good at picking up colours. She looked truly elegant. The dress was right for laying flowers at the cenotaph as well - once say Maxima laying flowers at a memorial in bright pink - it didn't look right - so glad Kate didn't choose red. I suspect it will appear later.
So many adorable photos - George and the P.M., Kate kissing Charlotte and her laying her hand on William's knee - lovely!!
Mrs Trudeau is very pretty and vivacious looking - I liked her dress and the shape of her hat but the colour of her hat seemed off. The crowds were tremendous - how wonderful to see and glad some readers here got a close look.
Did we have guests for the India tour, Erika, I can't recall - appreciate your nice remarks earlier but while I have the best intentions, I'm rather a chaotic hostess. These guests wouldn't understand if I was looking at Duchess Kate - they would think me mad - so I'll have to sneak off for another peek soon - thank goodness, they're gone tomorrow - how unfriendly that sounds!
Julia, I agree, Mrs Trudeau's hat seemed off--for me both the color but also the style. Still, had the color coordinated better, the style may not have been so "off" for me.
DeleteCharlotte! How wonderful are you? I'm not sure how or when you completed this new post. I"m in California, watched both live feeds. I thought the speeches were well done today. I would have liked Prince William to ask a women a question when addressing the troops. The opening ceremony went well - although they started late but that gave an opportunity for the building's lights to really shine. Boy you could see Kate's earrings sparking in the light.
ReplyDeleteKate looked superb. Love the dress, those 3/4 length bell sleeves, the empire belt, my favorite "nude" heels. The Maple Leaf brooch and what a beautiful hat, not to mention her up-do was special today. Really a home run in my book.
Bring on day two!
I've seen this color of blue referred to as teal in a couple other articles also. My job is color and this is not teal. Teal has more green in it. This is a cobalt blue.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jane. I knew it wasn't teal of course, but I didn't know exactly what blue it was. I like the way the blues of the children's clothing are lighter versions that blend well.
DeleteI agree anon 06.01. They managed to match well without looking like they sew all the clothes from one piece of fabric a la the Trapp family :) Nice job showing a cohesive but not matchy-matchy look!
DeleteOh good, Jane! I thought my eyes were going.
DeleteJane, when she stepped off the plane, I immediately thought "french blue". Color can be so personal for many of us. Whatever color the blue - or PMS color - it is lovely. But correct - not a teal. :-)
DeleteThis is one of the Duchess's best looks. The dress fits so beautifully. I love the collar and the length of the skirt particularly. The hat is one of her absolute bests as well. Perfection. I would love to hear more about Sophie Gregoire-Trudeau's look as well. I love her dress and the below the knee pencil silhouette was so similar to the Duchess's.
ReplyDeleteShe looked so elegant when she stepped out of that plane... and the whole family looked gorgeous. I just admire how she is so emotionally attuned to her kids, feelings when on these photo op things. She is a really great parent and she offers reassurance before a melt down occurs... which is so smart and so loving. She's not expecting them to be puppets... which is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree. Beautiful, happy family.
DeleteI agree, Jane. She's "not expecting to be puppets" Jane. How cool is that.
DeleteFantastic welcome to Canada from the Canadians. Both families looked smashing! Thank you Charlotte for your blog. Hope you get some sleep!
ReplyDeleteWell... I was there & I cried! The welcome cannot be described - the crowd ADORED them when they got out of their vehicle!! The singing of the national anthem, 10000 strong gave me goosebumps! William joking around & speaking French in his speech and paying sincere respects to the servicemen he stopped to talk to (who were SHOCKED he was talking to THEM!!) - such a class act. I have to say that being there live was funny to watch the women's reactions to Justin Trudeau - this country is so a armored of him!! It made me laugh to watch them swoon while I was swooning over Kate!😂 What a night!!
ReplyDeleteWill be down at the float plane harbor early in the morning to see if I can get some pics of them departing before getting on a ferry to Vancouver myself! Ni nite, Bloggers!
Thanks for sharing Berlyann.
DeleteWow, what a night!! So excited you got to see them! Hope you get to see them tomorrow again! What an experience!
DeleteHow I envy you! :) Thank you for sharing...
DeleteWatching the live feeds were pretty exciting, but to be there in person....how ever did you go to sleep last night?!?!
DeleteBerlyann, I'm sure it was incredible!! A memory for many coming months and years! :) I remember having very similar feelings when I was in London for the 90th birthday celebrations of HM. Hope you get to see them again!
DeleteI think perfection and stunning are tied for the best words to describe Kate's look! The beautiful rich color, the cut and fit of the dress, the hat, her earrings....stunning perfection! Love the smile and look on Kate's face as they are coming down the stairs. The children are beautiful and they are a lovely family. I think Charlotte fancies the maple leaf brooch...loved how she had a hold on it!
ReplyDeleteThere is a picture of Kate standing with her legs apart holding Charlotte....somebody mentioned it in the other post and when I finally found it, I kept thinking it had a familiarity to it. It is reminiscent of how Diana would stand when holding her children! It is very obvious Kate is a loving mother.
What a wonderful warm welcome from Canada!! Prince William looked like he was enjoying meeting the people in the crowds. What a great start....can't wait for the rest! cc
There is no such thing as a "boat plane". The correct term is "float plane" or " sea plane" and they are very common here on the coast of British Columbia.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this correction, as a non-English native speaker, I just searched, what is the difference between floatplane and boatplane, for I have known the previous one only.
DeleteGaby. That was a very easy mistake even for those who's native language is English. :)
DeleteYour English is beautiful, btw. :)
hmm they look wonderful as a family love they are colored coordinated as a family looking forward to day two
ReplyDeleteI decided to research Justin and Sophie Trudeau on the internet. What a gorgeous couple along with their 3 children they make.
ReplyDeleteI echo that Kate looked so classy and the Cambridge family matched with elegance and perfection. So sweet and loving family they are presenting.
Thank you Charlotte for your live blog. It is always so much fun and excitement.
I loved the whole look and it was great watching the live feeds here in NZ !!! I was a bit surprised that Kate turned her back on the welcoming dignatories on the Tarmac a couple times.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the post, Charlotte!!
ReplyDeleteI think she looked stunning, one minor thing for me is the shoes. I would have changed that for any other colour except nude or beige.
I agree Anett. For me, shoes that matched the color of the dress would have been perfect.
DeleteCharlotte,
ReplyDeleteLove the special Live Blog logo you did and I just noticed the top of the page one with the little bird.
Beautiful also. Did your husband help with that this time also.
I just loved the whole arrival ceremony. What a fabulous family, and what an asset they are to the Queen and Country. Could they be any more beautiful. And, those precious children. The love and caring that Kate and William exude to their children and to each other is palpable. They are just sensational.
ReplyDeleteA vision!!! Adore this outfit, it's so sophisticated - all their outfits. And how well behaved were the children??!!! The pressure of having to disembark with the world watching. Well done Mum. Looking forward to the rest of the tour.
ReplyDeleteThe pictures of Prince George and Princess Charlotte peeking out of the plane are adorable! It truly is going to be cuteness overload! cc
ReplyDelete08:12,
DeleteTruly. On top of the over-the-top everything else it truly was "cuteness overload".
She looked lovely. Really elegant and polished. I often wonder how they manage to be so awake and fresh from a long flight like that and the time zone? Do you think there's a particular method they use?
ReplyDeleteHas to be. Would love to know what it is.
DeleteI have to say I love this outfit! The colour really suits Kate's skin colour! The details of the dress: gathered sleeves, waist sash, the collar and back cut make the dress more interesting, without making it fussy or over the top! The earrings compliment the dress colour and the hat tops it off! It such a regal and ladylike outfit and Kate carries it with such aplomb! Both George and Charlotte are adorable darlings! They make a beautiful family. Thanks Charlotte for keeping us readers informed and up-to-date with the Cambridges (albeit different time zones)! Looking forward for more interesting posts in the coming week! Cheers! :D
ReplyDeleteWhat a magnificent first day! I looked at the direct until 4 o'clock in the morning (French time) so I was incited by the royal visit! The children, in spite of the fatigue, were adorable! The dress and Kate's hat were perfect ! A lovely family !!! Sandrine (sorry for my english)
ReplyDeletePerfection from the Duchess ! Absolutely beautiful dress, tailoring, color, accessories...
ReplyDeleteGorgeous children too.
Thank you for the lovely posts, Charlotte :-)
WoW.... This look is outstanding. Best arrivel look ever and instant top 10 alltime look for me! Well done. I cant believe wat i juist read on the calendar! , Kate Will come to the netherlands! Something i never thought would happen Will happen in 2 weeks! I am so gonna take à day off! Luckily my boss knows of my guilty royalty pleasure cause Will have to shift meetings but this i cannot miss!!! Charlotte thans for the Greet coverage AND calendar on your site!!
ReplyDeleteAh i forgotten to select my blogname fabulousdaan :) thats hoe excited i am!
ReplyDeleteThis dress reminds me so much of the unidentified lace dress which Kate wore to the Somme centenary service. The collar is a different shape but similar and the cut and fit is the same. Imagine the lace dress without the lace, or imagine the lace overlaying this dress.
ReplyDeleteothers here have noticed that also 09:55. I think it is the same pattern.
DeleteThe day was sheer perfection from start to finish. What a beautiful family. Charlotte thank you for spreading the joy. Can't wait for tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteas I said before, Kate was perfect ! just a little wonder : when will William learn French ? his grandmother speaks a very good French, his father too, William's family likes to holiday in France, time for them to learn French !
ReplyDeleteThat is a good point. A relative of mine in Portland OR has his two year old in a bilingual daycare, where he is already learning French.
DeleteWhere to start? What a lovely, loving family they are!
ReplyDeleteI loved everything from Catherine's hat, to her hair, to her dress, to the jewelry, to the color of her pantyhose, to her shoes!!! William and those adorable children, who to all accounts and purposes should have been in their beds sleeping, were also just so sweetly outfitted!!!
I live in Greece so I didn't get to bed till five in the morning but it was sure worth staying up so late to see everything live! How well behaved are those cute children? Yes, I agree that Catherine and William are doing such a great job bringing them up and making sure that they are not overwrought when coming face to face with dignitaries and so many people and noise! Seeing all this live gives one the opportunity to get a real glimpse into their personalities - so much different to just seeing photos the next day!
However, I must thank you Charlotte for all the hard work you put into this blog - such a good job! On that note I'd like to point out just one tiny mistake - in the fifth paragraph of the blog it should have read 'premier of British Columbia Christy Clark and HER son Hamish' and not 'his son'
Moreover, I also have a question. Did anyone watching the blog live notice that during the welcoming ceremony Catherine seemed to be pulling down the top of the right sleeve of her dress? She did it at least three times, maybe even more but at that time in the morning I can't remember exactly how many! Does anyone have any idea as to what could have been bothering her? I'm sure it was uncomfortable for her because she even did it when meeting the crowd!
Anyway, it was a lovely beginning to what looks to be a great week for one and all, the Cambridges, the people and dignitaries of Canada and all us faithful fans!!!
Once again, thank you.
As we say in Greece,
Filakia xxx
Yes I too noticed her trying to adjust her sleeve. My first thought was maybe her bra strap slipped and she was trying to move it up discreetly. That is an annoying and uncomfortable feeling. I'm sure once in the car she fixed that right up.
DeleteYeah, I also noticed that and think it was the bra strap.
DeleteIt was. You can see the strap falling down in this photo: https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3rUyW4Qnvvs/V-dssFCHsjI/AAAAAAAA_Yo/r7Vmoe0B9yAx8_17wGL4RYXQD9Skf8P7gCLcB/s1600/kate%2Bvictoria.jpg
DeleteSeeing this photo of this confident, modern, yet regal couple marching down those steps as a well-oiled team, it's obvious to me that they have slowly but surely become the king and queen of England, in all but the legal sense. They have done it gradually and in their own way, and most importantly, they are grounded in a solid loving marriage.
ReplyDeleteThank heaven someone has had those same thoughts as about that Barbara,
Deleteno offense to Charles, but as far as I am concerned the only thing separating William and Kate from that is a formal coronation. Otherwise, they are already there. No offense to the Queen or anyone else either.
Love it all! I agree with everyone's comments. Just perfection!
ReplyDeleteWho do you think Charlotte looks like? Any thoughts?
Such a marvelous post! Thanks for putting all of the information and the pictures together! I agree, tailoring was key to this dress - my gosh, she looked marvelous and what a professional - she looks at ease chatting with people - I would have been HIGHLY stressed that my children were about to do something inappropriate! I had to laugh a bit at how they enjoyed watching the native dancers - of course they did, because what else would you want to do at 2am their time with jet lag than watch native dancers? Bless their hearts. Everyone looks very excited to see them! The last Canadian tour was so fun to experience vicariously! Looking forward to this one!
ReplyDeleteI thought the same thing about jet lag and the native dancers Elizabeth. And Kate's expressions when that guy was holding that sword up in front her and barking military commands loudly in her face while the solemnity was so thick. Her expressions then (factoring in jet lag), were priceless. No one has noticed those yet. She almost looked like she was going to faint. And I don't blame her.
DeleteI noticed that. I was concerned for a few moments there. She did look a little overwhelmed and woozy.
DeleteI love when DoC wears figure hugging dresses. for me she looks much much better in these kind of dresses. She has a lovely figure and it suits her perfectly.
ReplyDeleteThe back of the collar reminds me the grey Catherine Walker she wore at Ottawa’s Government House in 2011. :)
Although I think they work with this outfit, nide shoes are definitly not my fave. Ever. I hope she doesn't wear nude all tour
MB
The outfit is Perfect. Maybe, too Perfect For a 30 something Young woman, nevertheless very institutional. As a family, they are spectacular!
ReplyDeletePerfection all round - from the kids to Kate's outfit! You can tell Kate feels amazing in her outfit too. They must be so proud of George and Charlotte. Can't wait for the rest of the tour!
ReplyDeleteAs so many have already said this was classic Kate she was perfection. Dress beautiful in style fit & colour, hat lovely and hair & make up absolutely great she really looked a princess. The colour coordination of G & K outfits just shows how much planning had gone into the arrival outfits. Both George & Charlotte were very good after such a long flight George clearly found the planes more interesting than the people & Charlotte responded to Kate's requests to give a wave she seemed interested in all that was going on.
ReplyDeleteIt will be interesting to see what Kate wears today.
By the way, I was surprised to learn that the dress is JP. I honestly thought it was a Catherine Walker design.
ReplyDeleteMe too, royalfan!
DeleteIt is actually a very Dianaesque ensemble, I think.
DeleteI'm not sure that I can put into words what a fantastic start this has been to this tour any better than the other posters. The live feeds were such a wonderful addition and though it could never compare to being there in person, it made me feel connected. The love for the family came through loud and clear.
ReplyDeleteKate's outfit was exquisite and coordination of the family splendid. One of her best looks ever. Charlotte's hair has really lightened quite a bit from earlier pictures. I love the plane shots of the kids in the window upon arrival. I do that myself on planes too. LOL!
Really looking forward to the events today. I bet they are already awake and starting to get ready for the day at 5:53 am local time
George probably was distracted by the helicopter and planes because he may have thought that since he was with his mom and dad on the tarmac, with helicopters and planes around, and lots of people, he may have thought that that was another air show event at first. Maybe that was the reason for his hesitancy. He thought it was another air show and wanted to go see the helicopter and planes like he did at the other event and wanted to know why he couldn't do that on the tarmac yesterday.
ReplyDeleteI think that was it exactly, 14:04. With some help from his parents, he came to a three year old's terms with it quite admirably I think. He was getting so excited about it being another air show.
DeleteWhat a start to the tour. The whole family looked amazing. I love Kate's dress and hat. Both William and Kate were so careful with the kids making sure they were okay, especially George who looked a little lost between all the legs in some of the feed. Thank your Charlotte for the post. It's so great to see all the details that you put in. It's always the information that I'm curious about and you have the answers.
ReplyDeleteThe blue is not teal blue or cobalt blue but Royal blue #4175E3 according to Wikipedia, "Royal Blue", (color swatches shown there). Teal blue has more green in it and cobalt blue is much brighter. The Royal blue of Kate's outfit matched the Royal blue shade on the flag of British Columbia exactly. This shade of Royal blue is closer to a tanzanite blue.
ReplyDeleteI Totally caught that too & Thx for Officially Pointing That Out! :)
Deleteyou are welcome. :)
DeleteOn the video of the Welcoming Ceremony at .57 to about 1.03 my dearest friend and her 3 year-old daughter succeed in handing a bouquet to Prince William. She quickly tells him,"My name is Katherine." He thanks her for the bouquet and they're off--way behind schedule. Daddy who is standing behind them got it on video. The volume of the crowd was unbelievable. They've dialed that down on the media outlets, but from iPhone it's got a raw energy comparable to that of the Beatles first arriving in North America. Awesome.
ReplyDeleteWow! Philly That's So Exciting! I watched the whole thing Live so I'm sure I saw it & will go back to rewatch! :)
DeleteSuper cool, thanks for sharing Philly. I love it. Makes me feel like I was there. Almost.
DeleteOur girl smashed it out of the park with this outfit and I am super excited for this week.
ReplyDeleteThe thing that struck me was how royal she looked; it was different than the other tours. I can't quite put my finger on it; maybe a bit more refined and confident.
Her outfit was elegant and timeless. As much as I admired Sophie's ensemble; it will look dated when we look at these pictures years from now.
Well put! :) She looked. Very very royal. Wonderful!
DeleteBeautifully worded Beth!
DeleteSuch a wonderful family.George and Charlotte are so cute.
ReplyDeleteKate's dress reminds me of lace dress that she wore in France.Maybe Jenny Packham is designer of that dress too.
I think you are right about Jenny having done that lace dress 15:20. The dresses are almost identical in design.
DeleteNot sure if my earlier comment got through, so excuse the repetition if so... This outfit is a vision!!! I just love it. It's perfect. They are all just gorgeous. Couldn't be nicer!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed Day One of the royal tour! It was fun watching the arrival and welcoming ceremony live. Prince George was distracted by a helicopter landing shortly after he got onto the tarmac. It doesn't seem like anyone caught still photos of this cute moment. :(
ReplyDeleteHe probably thought he was at another air show. How would he know the difference? lol
DeleteOh my goodness! What a truly stunning look from Kate - perfect colour, perfect shape, no Marilyn moments and almost a blue version of the red hat she wore for the jubilee river pageant (one of my all-time favourites). So sophisticated and so Kate - magnificent!
ReplyDeleteI was so thrilled to be able to stay up and watch their arrival in real time thanks to the Mirror live feed from the airport (if anybody from the Mirror reads this blog, thank you so much for that feed, it was great). Watching the plane coming in over the water and then the stairs being put in place and then the door opening was just mind-blowing. What a wonderful start to the tour - so excited for the rest. Roll on 7.45 pm tonight!
The whole family looked impeccable! I would love to know how they got those kids so rested and well behaved with the long flight and time change. My kids are close to the same age, and they are currently bouncing off the walls while we are on vacation just 2 hours from our house!
ReplyDeleteBut seriously I can't get over how beautiful the duchess looks. The whole look is perfection for me.
--Jessica in Los Angeles
Jessica. That is the big mystery of the day. Every mother is no doubt asking the same question and wondering why they themselves aren't super mom like Kate. lol Remember though, she has a Super Nanny, and a whole village to help her.
DeleteKate is always stunning but I'm really in love with her hat -- the maple leaves on it are incredible. The whole family looks so happy!
ReplyDeleteOh Charlotte - Thank you 1000X!! What a fantastic post. I do hope the royals have a good time in this beautiful part of our country. I thought the whole family looked wonderful, and the Duchess in blue - just perfection. Hands down my favourite tour look so far! Can’t wait to see what is in store for the rest of the week.
ReplyDeleteThe whole family looks lovely! I really like Kate's outfit. Sophie's hat seems out of place for this event, it looks very odd.
ReplyDeleteKate's skin looks especially amazing! I wonder what she has been using on it lately.
ReplyDeleteKMJ, Her skin did look flawless. Much better than usual and it is usually very nice, but her skin now is flawless and glowing. What did she do?
DeleteI was there yesterday and it was FABULOUS!!! We got to Victoria early enough to get a great spot right on the red carpet, and as it turned out, this was the side that they were "accepting gifts" (we were on the section of the carpet that they departed on). We had 2 darling little girls right next 2 us that were "waiting to see a princess". When Duchess Kate came by, I called out to her and she came over - the little gals turned very shy, so I was able to give the flowers to the Duchess!!! She is stunningly beautiful in person, and was so gracious!! The whole event was just magical!!!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations that is awesome!
DeleteDear E, how lovely! You must have been thrilled to give the flowers to Kate!!! A lifelong memory!
Deletewow. E that is SO exciting. wow
DeleteFun!!! So cool!
DeleteWatching Kate & William get on float plane for Vancouver. Catherine wearing a really fun red and white dress - can't wait to get a closer look at it.
ReplyDeleteThanks Charlotte
ReplyDeleteWith all that's happening on the television and this blog I am in overload. I watched their arrival on television. Victoria is three hours behind Montreal. Our Duchess really knocked it way way out of the park with her entire outfit. Love how they were all colour coordinated.
Before coming online to read all these wonderful comments I watched their departure from Victoria by sea plane to arrive in Vancouver in 35 minutes. I might have missed the arrival in Vancouver reading this blog. Oh well thank goodness I can restart program on television and see the arrival.
Wonderful job Charlotte. Thanks a million.
Well, I am very late to commenting on the Cambriges' arrival to Canada, but I just had to chime in to say that everything about the Duchess' look yesterday was pure perfection (and I am usually one who finds at least one thing to nit-pick about)! It was a look which was beautiful, regal, stylish, and practical. I wouldn't change anything about her look yesterday! The way the entire family coordinated was lovely, and the children were indeed so well-behaved. Looking forward to the rest of the tour...
ReplyDeleteWhat a fanatic day we got there 5 hrs early and got a great spot. We Got to shake Prince Williams hand and a little chat. He was so nice and happy to be here. The Duchess was greeting the other side but she looked great. The blue was perfect on her and the earrings were so sparky. It was so great. Hope they enjoy there time here.
ReplyDeletewow. congratulations Kisha. Great memories for you. (I might have fainted, lol)
DeleteWow Anon23:30, a momentous occasion for you! I hope you were able to get a few pics for posterity!
DeleteI read at What Kate Wore, that Kate's hat is by Sarah
ReplyDeleteFletcher for Lock & Co. It is the same hat that she wore on the Royal Barge in 2012 and to the Trooping of the Color this year. Only the prior one was in red and had different leaves, etc.
The entire family looks fabulous. I love that they dress the children in the classic style. These photos will become a part of the archival history and it is very smart to have them dressed so that the photos look timeless. Kate is absolutely elegant. Her outfit reminds me of something from the 1930s and something the equally elegant Princess Marina would have worn. I love this blog and your hard work in posting all these wonderful photos with all the added details! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteCalifornia Fan
California Fan,
DeleteI agree about the timelessness of the photos.
They all just look so fabulous I don't know what to say. I seriously think this is the best Kate has every looked. Regal, gorgeous, relaxed, happy, I could go on and on. They just look like such a happy family- the children are DARLING.
ReplyDeleteCate
I love everything about their arrival, the blue was an unexpected color for me, I really thought they would go more red, white or even a neutral cream color but I LOVE the blue! I also loved that they matched but they didn't, it was shades of blue for each of them but nothing too matchy-matchy. I really think both William & Kate are coming into their own not just as parents but also as royals. Each outing they appear to me to be more comfortable and confident in their roles.
ReplyDeleteWhen George reached for Kate as they were walking down the steps, you really get the sense that family comes first and that they are a close family of four, with the children being their parents priority. The care and attention they pay to the children is heartwarming, they could very easily pass off the children to Nanny Maria but they don't and it's lovely to catch these family moments.
Charlotte is just as cute as a button and I don't know about anyone else but she very much reminds me of the Queen. I imagine it was very overwhelming but she handled it well, she'll be a pro like her big brother in no time.
The Cambridges are SUCH a beautiful family! What a precious and historical moment to see the family step off the plane together. The children handled the meeting of dignitaries amazingly well after a long flight. As a mom of four, I was very impressed. This will be such a memorable week for everyone. I am excited and looking forward to a wonderful tour! Charlotte, thank you for the recap of the arrival and events yesterday!
ReplyDeleteI was fascinated by her red and white dress. She and the designer's modifications were well chosen. I was curious if the pat tern is embroidered like eyelet (I thought it was ) or a print. Some people have been critical of the way HRH dresses her kids but anyone with class would know that it is still appropriate.
ReplyDeleteKate knocked it out of the park with this ensemble. She looks absolutely stunning in these fitted, sheath-style dresses. Really loved this dress and the nude shoes and the hat, all of it. She really looks great in this ensemble.
ReplyDeleteI can't put my finger on it but Kate just seems far less interested in her little daughter than she is in George. George is clearly her favorite. I hope the neverending Windsor cycle of dysfunction is not repeating itself in the Cambridge household.
I am loving all the eye witness accounts--keep them coming and thank you so much for sharing!
ReplyDeleteRW
Elizabeth,
ReplyDeleteShe caressed Charlotte's cheek and someone said Kate gave her a kiss. Kate tenderly kissed Charlotte oh the top of her little head on the balcony during trooping the color.
Thanks for the amaizng post! I was there and i got some photos which i emailed to you! I will go to victoria to try and get more photos on saturday and see them with the children! was amazing to see her in person she is gorgeous i have seen prince william before but still a treat.
ReplyDeleteshe looks even more beautiful in person and that outfit is gorgeous
thanks for all your hard work charlotte!
whoops my last post should be in the other thread from vancouver
ReplyDeleteanyways this is a great post charlotte and this blue outfit is the most beautiful ive ever seen on kate and i love her hat and hair wow
I hope they have a great tour to canada was great seeing them today in vancouver cant wait to see the whole family in victoria on saturday!
mel