William and Kate fly to Canada for state visit

William and Kate’s appearance in the Commonwealth country’s capital, Ottawa, is expected to draw thousands onto the streets.

The royal couple will travel to seven cities during their nine-day visit. 1,400 journalists and photographers from across the world will cover the visit – 500 more than those accredited for the Queen’s 2010 trip.

The royal couple’s first act will be to pay their respects at Canada’s National War Memorial in Confederation Square in Ottawa.

The Canadian government is footing the bill for the trip, which includes flying the couple in a Canadian Forces Airbus and staging federal events. The estimated cost is CDN$1.5m – but that does not include the cost of security. The bill for Prince Charles‘s 2009 visit to Canada, also funded by the Canadian government, was CDN$2.57m.

The couple will also visit Los Angeles, California, from 8-10 July, where they will support UK technology investment and the creative industries through Bafta (British Academy of Film and Television Arts).

‘Dynamic couple’

Young Canadians appeared ambivalent about the royal visit, according to a poll commissioned by the Toronto Star newspaper, with more than 50 per cent of 18- to 34-year-olds expressing indifference to the trip.

Asked about the relevance of the royal couple to the nation, Kevin MacLeod, the Canadian secretary to the Queen, who has co-ordinated the tour, said: “I think given the dynamism of this couple, (they) continue to reaffirm the important role the crown plays in this country.”

The Duke and Duchess will tour Canada under a new royal flag, created in celebration of their visit.

Possible cut to Royal Household
Under new arrangements proposed by Chancellor George Osborne, the amount of money to fund the Queen and members of the Royal Family in their public duties could be 9 per cent lower in real terms by 2015.

Mr Osborne told MPs: “We will introduce a new sovereign grant that provides appropriate resources for the Queen to do her job with dignity but balances this with fairness and accountability for the taxpayer.”

Boost to British fashion

The Duchess of Cambridge‘s outfit choices for her first royal overseas tour are being seen as a possible boost to British fashion.

Angela Buttolph, an editor for fashion magazine Grazia, wants the Duchess to leave behind her comfortable high street frocks and to fly the flag for high-end home-grown designers.

She said: “The British fashion industry is crying out for an ambassador with her kind of clout. Her wearing British designers would be an amazing service for the industry.

“Wearing Reiss or Whistles is fine when she is at home, but when she is abroad and she is representing Britain it is really important that she represents British designers.

“When Michelle Obama is head to toe in incredible New York designers we need our future Queen to do that for British designers,” Buttolph added.