Tinseltown Kate: How the elegant Duchess of Cambridge dazzled on the red carpet

By Tamara Abraham


Dazzling: The Duchess of Cambridge shone as she took to the red carpet in Los Angeles, wearing a full-length Sarah Burton gown in the palest lavender, with a sparkling silver belt and full skirt


When you have Alexander McQueen's Sarah Burton on your speed dial, expectations are always high, but the Duchess of Cambridge dazzled last night at Bafta's black tie dinner in Los Angeles.

Though we saw a glimpse of the gown in a garment bag carried by Canadian soldiers on Thursday, it seems only Catherine could do it justice.

The dress, in palest lavender, was typical of the 29-year-old's recent style.


Like her wedding dress, it appeared to be a custom creation, as it is not a part of any recent collections for the label, though it does bear some of the hallmarks of the fall/winter 2011 line.

The high neckline made it demure, while the sparkling silver belt and full skirt added the required amount of drama for the high-profile, formal event.

Catherine wore more accessories than usual, though if there was ever an occasion to wear a pair of diamond chandelier earrings, borrowed from the Queen, this was it.

She also wore a diamond bracelet, while the clutch bag and shoes, both from Jimmy Choo, completed the celebration of British design.

The label's strappy silver Vamp sandals, £450, had five-and-half-inch platform heels, making them higher that the classic courts she normally wears.

The clutch, in silver and gold glitter, was the Ubai design, £275.

But the look was not as much of a surprise to fashion-watchers as it normally is, after photographs of what was was believed to be Catherine's gown emerged on Friday.

Fashion bloggers went into overdrive after a transparent dress bag containing the Alexander McQueen creation was captured on camera as Canadian soldiers loaded suitcases onto the Royal plane.

Though little could be seen of the dress, many likened it to the Jenny Packham gown Catherine wore to the ARK gala in London last month.

Dramatic additions: Catherine wore more accessories than usual, including this £275 silver and gold glitter clutch, by Jimmy Choo, and these strappy silver sandals with five-and-a-half inch heels, by the same designer

Cat out of the bag: A Canadian soldier inadvertently revealed Catherine's gown as he loaded up the Royal plane


In reality, however, it was very different, the only similarity being the high neckline.

While the figure-hugging Packham gown had been heavily embellished with sequins and crystals, the Alexander McQueen creation, with its full skirt and sculptural pleats, was more akin to the Grecian-inspired gowns that Sarah Burton sent down the runway.

It is the second time Catherine has chosen to wear McQueen on the nine-day Royal Tour. She chose a 2006 design from the label for a visit to Prince Edward Island in Canada last week.


source:dailymail

A flash of thigh, a sensational week for Kate... but who was that baldie trailing behind her?

By Jan Moir


Kate looked demure in her primrose yellow silk, but we saw more of her endless legs than she intended


With a swish and a thunderous sigh of relief, the red velvet curtain falls on the end of the first week of the first official royal tour for the Duchess of Cambridge.

And so far, so very, very good. Most excellent work, your royal Sister of Pippa-ness.

Really, things could not have gone better. During her nine days in Canada, the Duchess did not squash any toddlers under her impeccable nude platforms, suffer a wardrobe malfunction nor flash any unfortunate boob-age at the grateful Canadian nation.

Agreed, there were a few blowy moments in cricket whites and primrose silk when we saw envious yardage of royal thigh and the merest glimpse of knickerdom. Yet after a few desperate tugs on the hem of her pretty summer dresses, duchessorial blushes were spared.


No circle-of-shame snaps in a glossy magazine for HRH Kate this week, thank you very much. Elsewhere, international incidents, diplomatic skirmishes, awkward moments when she fled to the airport clutching her passport, trying to buy a one-way ticket to Monaco? All avoided.

Feathers ruffled? None. Terrifying polar bear rugs encountered? One. Trees planted, ditto. Posies accepted from little children in that official low crouch, knees together, side swivel position invented and patented by Diana, Princess of Wales? At least two.

Gifts amassed so far? One diamond polar bear brooch, one red fleece Ranger hoodie, one pair of beaded moccasins, plus one traditional Calgary wide-brimmed, Smithbilt cowboy hat.

A pretty good haul. Better than anything at Bicester shopping village, that’s for sure. Check out the quality of those diamonds. Pippa will die!

And whether at a ceremony of remembrance, whisking up canapes in a kitchen, paddling a dragon boat or smoking caribou skins on a reservation, the Duchess was endlessly sunny.

She can do sombre, she can do formal, she can do parsley garnishes. When required, she can stick her oar in with the best of them and can do campfire geniality along with genteel cocktail chat at the ambassador’s residence. In fact, she can do no wrong.

Yes, there was one tiny difficulty, as the Duchess swished from civic reception to official dinner, her excellent Middleton legs sheathed and twinkling in standard royal issue high-gloss tights. Exactly who was that dull guy with the bald patch and old man’s blazer who kept doggedly following her around? Could someone call security, please?

When visiting a provincial Canadian town, it takes some doing to come across as the least groovy bloke in the boondocks. In such circumstances, however, you can bet your anchor-stamped brass buttons that a Windsor man will always triumph.

No one can out-anorak a royal anorak, especially when he’s trying to do smart-casual in a canoe.

Cast adrift in the stardust of his wife’s slipstream, there were moments when Prince William seemed like some plodding member of the protection squad intent on invading her personal space and getting his mug in the official photographs.

Without her, who would turn out to see him? Perhaps no one, except a lost moose or two and a few ladies from the crochet club at a loose end on a weekday afternoon.

Yet to see the young Duke and Duchess stand shoulder to shoulder, meeting officials, consoling the survivors of a devastating forest fire or cheerfully shaking hands with the Canadian crowds is to understand the eternal potency of beauty.

Shoulder to shoulder: Kate's star quality is rubbing off on a relaxed William


Being married to a lovely woman like Kate gives a man like William prestige and cachet. By her side, he instantly looks more handsome, debonair and assured. And not only does she make him look good, she also humanises and glamorises the entire Windsor brand.

Look at Kate on Canada Day in the Canadian capital, attending a Canadian citizenship ceremony wearing the Canadian national colours, accessorised by a hat fluttering with maple leaves (the Canadian emblem) and a maple leaf diamond brooch.

She couldn’t have tried harder if she had donned buckskins, flung herself at the feet of the Governor General and begged to be called Squaw Who Dances With Willie.


Her red and white ensemble may have been more national costume than elegant outfit, it may have been slightly de trop, but it was utterly charming.

And it proved yet again that the Duchess is a class act; a woman with an inbuilt sense of duty, a representative of the monarchy who knows and understands what is expected of her.

Unlike other royal wives, such as the Duchess of York for ghastly example, the D of C realises that despite all the attention and endless interest in her Erdem dresses and choice of handbag, it is not all about her.

Instead, she fully grasps she is not just a support to her husband, but also a kind of cipher, an agreeable, British and royal symbol upon which entire nations can project their feelings of goodwill and benevolence.

The baton has been handed to a newly minted royal couple upon whose shoulders the entire future of the House of Windsor depends. Be serious. Who else is capable of appearing on the world stage on behalf of Queen and country, exuding that tricky mix of gravitas, charm and sincerity that the post requires?

Prince Harry and his latest chick, lingerie model Flossy Boomps-adaisy-Boops and her fruity selection of balcony bras? Those galumphing horrors Beatrice and Eugenie in matching ostrich feather comedy hats?

Shop-soiled Prince Andrew or sulky Prince Charles? I don’t think so. Not for a second. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are our last hope.

So back home, the Queen will have been watching with great interest how this tour develops.

With an experienced eye, she will be appraising the performance of her grandson and his dazzling new wife, praying that the mistakes and hysteria of the Diana era are not to be repeated. Will HM be pleased? I suspect she will be absolutely thrilled.

On THE most basic level, you have got to admit Kate looks great. From sea to shining sea, the Duchess has been working her classically elegant, faultlessly neat, sexy secretary look to great effect.

She has shimmered in purple silk, dazzled in navy lace, worn a dress the colour of a beige envelope and given it a first-class stamp.

And while frying onions in a chef’s jacket or scrambling into a seaplane in her favourite J Brand jeans, what was much more important was the fact there was no mistaking the frighteningly fierce delight she takes in her new-found royal chores.

In the Northwest Territory, the Duchess visited community projects with unbridled enthusiasm.

At Yellowknife, she was presented with a hockey stick and looked at it with something approaching ecstasy.

While meeting dignitaries, ordinary folks or uncomprehending babies, her all-weather smile never dims — those dimples could be drilled into the bone.

That perma rictus of bleached gnashers, semaphoring a bedazzled delight at her own good fortune to the world, is becoming an infectious trademark.

The toughest test was saved for the last day, when the couple had to attend the Calgary Stampede and try to remain regal in cowpoke attire. They glowed pinkly beneath their matching ten-gallon rabbit fur hats.

Our girl managed to look fascinated by a lot of cows milling around and pawing the ground. Just like the polo crowds at Windsor, really.

Canada has fallen for her charms, California is next and the triumphant Duchess of Cambridge seems an irresistible and unstoppable royal force.

The Windsors — and us — could do with a high-wattage dose of uncomplicated, affable, natural charisma.

So long may the old Duch reign — and let’s hope royal life does nothing to curdle her bottomless charm.

LIZ JONES'S VERDICT ON HER ROYAL STYLISHNESS

Left: Boarding the plane to Canada in a Roland Mouret dress, Mulberry bag, Smythe les Vestes blazer and Manolo Blahniks, Kate looks a touch too like a sales rep. Total: £3,058
Centre: By the time she arrives, she’s in an Erdem dress, LK Bennett shoes and a Tiffany bracelet. This is savvy, showing she is taking fashion seriously. Total: £2,115
Right: For a barbecue, she’s in Vinnie Day earrings and Pied a Terre wedges. But her Issa dress looks more like Next. A bit frumpy and plain for a goddess like Kate. Total: £633

Left: Her striking outfit for Canada Day (Reiss dress, Lock & Co hat, Anya Hindmarch clutch, Kiki McDonough earrings and Hobbs shoes) was my tour highlight. Total: £1,624
Centre: I love the colour, draping and low cut of this Issa dress teamed with an Anya Hindmarch clutch and Prada pumps. Her hair is sophisticated. Total: £1,109
Right: Catherine Walker may have been Diana’s favourite designer, but this dress is too staid. Hobbs clutch, Tabitha Simmons pumps, Links of London earrings. Total: £1,789


Left: I simply love the embellishment on this Erdem dress at a prayer service. Nude LK Bennett shoes are much younger and fresher than traditional black. Total: £2,170
Centre: This pretty Joseph dress is a little flimsy. The Links of London earrings, LK Bennett clutch and shoes don’t inject the colour this outfit needs. Total: £510
Right: The Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen nautical dress is fabulous and the ponytail is youthful. But why finish it off with such dreary Prada shoes? Total: £1,600


source:dailymail

The making of a style queen: How Kate Middleton is single-handedly changing the face of fashion

By Maysa Rawi


Preppy princess: The Duchess of Cambridge wears a cable-knit cream dress on her visit to Prince Edward Island for day five of the Royal tour


In the world of eight-inch platform heels, mini skirts and oversized it-bags, one dainty Duchess is choosing more subtle ways to make her mark on fashion.

On the fifth day of the Royal tour, Kate wore an elegant cream and navy long-sleeve cable knit dress with pussy-bow neckline by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen for her visit to Prince Edward Island.

The 1920s-style preppy dress is a move from her usual style but will no doubt be a sell-out hit.

Vintage visit: The 1920's style dress featured tie detailing and pleated skirt with navy bordering


It has been well documented that Kate Middleton's marketing power - known as the Kate effect - ensures anything she is seen wearing is sold-out within hours.

But what continues to come a surprise is how Kate can turn the notably 'un-fashionable' into an instant hit.

The simple nude Vanessa dress by Joseph she wore on Sunday in Quebec City has unsurprisingly now sold out.

Baring arms: The Duchess of Cambridge wore a sleeveless Joseph dress yesterday

Fashion formula: Kate sticks to knee-length sheath dresses, court shoes and clutch bags


While some labeled her outfit choices over the weekend 'boring', Kate's samey style is what will ultimately ensure her iconic status.

Speaking about the grey Catherine Walker dress Kate wore on Saturday, associate fashion news editor at Canadian fashion magazine Flare Mosha Lundstrom Halbert said: 'I wanted to see her step it up in terms of the fashion quotient, and she didn't do that today.'

Although she has never been seen in a pair of highly coveted Christian Louboutin shoes, or sporting a weighty Hermes Birkin on her arm, Kate still has the ability to shift thousands of copies of a simple Zara dress.

Thrifty: Kate recycled an Issa dress she wore the night before her wedding, right


Wedged espadrilles, low-heeled court shoes and longer-hems, though once labeled as old-fashioned or 'mumsy', have become instant hits among young shoppers.

This would come as little surprise to industry experts who know an icon becomes so by playing against type - Audrey Hepburn after all attracted attention for wearing boyish Capri pants and ballet flats while counterparts like curvy Marilyn Monroe wore 'fashionable' nipped-in waists and cleavage-enhancing bras.

Ironically, it is Kate's conservative approach that has placed her so strongly on the radar.

High-end labels: The Duchess wore Issa, Erdem and Roland Mouret


Yet critics began to bemoan her obsession with the High Street and urged her to turn to higher-end labels.

And on the first day of her Royal tour, sporting a Roland Mouret dress and Manolo Blahnik heels (when we have come to expect Reiss and LK Bennett), Kate proved she was paying attention.

Now on her fifth day, she continues to opt for luxury designers including Issa and Katherine Walker and now McQueen - the label she chose for her wedding dress.

But not one give into ostentation either, she recycled the white Nano Reiss dress, the same design she wore for her formal engagement portrait last year and the bird-print Issa dress she wore on the night before her wedding.

She also paid tribute to the country she is visiting with a red maple tree hat and diamond brooch borrowed from the Queen and opted to twice wear Canadian-born designer Erdem.

It is hard to believe the savvy sartorial choices come from a woman who has always professed to have little interest in fashion.

The bags: The Duchess always accessories her outfits with a clutch

The shoes: Katherine favours low heels, either wedged espadrilles or court shoes


But bravely eschewing a professional stylist, the Duchess of Cambridge's carefully chosen wardrobe, consisting of over 30 outfits, is an indication that she isn't simply indiscriminately choosing pieces that appeal to her, but rather making a deliberate statement.

Tall and thin, Kate's slender figure would give most models a run for their money, and while most looks would suit her, she has chosen to stick to a simple but effective formula.

She rarely strays from a knee-length sheath dress, boxy jacket or blazer, court shoes and a clutch bag.

Sleeves are often short or three-quarter length but she does very occasionally bare her arms, like yesterday for instance in a nude 'Vanessa' dress by Joseph, also now sold-out.

Fine jewels: The Duchess has a different pair of earrings to match her outfits

Accessories queen: Kate matches her blue Erdem dress to her earrings, left, and wears a diamond brooch borrowed by the Queen, right, and a Lock & Co. red hat


Her trademark look is not new - Kate's capsule style has been the same since she started dating the Prince.

But as she has been increasingly thrust into the limelight, her style has continued to mature and develop.

Gone are the 'Sloaney' flat knee-high suede boots and frosty pink lipstick and she is paying more attention to her accessories with a healthy stock of Anya Hindmarch handbags.

Her taste is jewelery has also changed. Whereas it was always rather understated, Kate is now sporting sophisticated brooches, carefully selected earrings and of course, the stunning sapphire engagement ring.

The demure outfits - skirts never too short, heels never too high - are telling details.

Kate knows who she is and isn't easily swayed by passing trends.

Her wardrobe choices indicate qualities in her character: stability, loyalty and self-assurance.

As the tour is halfway underway, Kate will no doubt continue to impress industry movers and shakers and it surely won't be long before she is invited to cover Vogue - if she hasn't been already.

Whether the shy and understated Kate decides to accept the offer is another matter.

Either way, the best is yet to come - and refreshingly, there won't be mini skirt in sight.


source:dailymail

Kate-mania! Thousands of cheering Canadians greet the smiling Duchess as Royal newlyweds begin their tour of North America

-Thousands of cheering fans turn out to welcome the Royal couple to Ottawa
-Kate looks poised and natural as she laughs and smiles with the crowds
-Prince William flits between English and French in touching speech at welcome event

By Rebecca English, Fiona Roberts and Richard Hartley-parkinson

Elegant: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge walk down the steps of the Royal Canadian Air Force aircraft after they landed in blustery Ottawa this afternoon


Beaming broadly, a picture-perfect Duke and Duchess of Cambridge touched down in Ottawa this afternoon to be greeted by thousands of Royal fans as they began their first official Royal tour together.

Kate looked elegant and graceful despite the blustery conditions, and concealed any nerves on this, her first major test as a fully-fledged member of the Royal family, with a wide smile.

The newlywed couple were greeted by a host of dignitaries and a wall of photographers as they stepped on to the gusty runway, before being driven to the city centre where crowds had been gathering to meet the couple since early this morning.


They were formally greeted at the airport by the Canadian Foreign Minister. The Duchess accepted a posy from a young boy on the tarmac and chatted to him for some time before moving along the line of dignitaries as William waited for a few moments in their car.

It was adorned with a special flag created in their honour by Canada's prime minister, Stephen Harper - the first to be designed by the Commonwealth country for a member of the royal family since 1962.

The flag was given Prince William’s seal of approval and that of the Queen, who was the last royal to adopt one for her own use.

The Duchess had transformed herself during the seven hour flight from London, and was wearing a dress by the hugely fashionable designer Erdem Moralioglu, favoured by Samantha Cameron and Michelle Obama. Erdem is another Canadian designer born in Montreal.

A natural: The Duchess of Cambridge stayed poised and elegant despite the windy conditions, with her hair in a demi-chignon, and again displayed her affection for children as she spent several minutes talking to Kellen Schlever, who presented her with a beautiful posy of pink roses

At ease: Kate smiles as she receives flowers from the Royal fans who lined up to meet the newlyweds at Ottawa's Macdonald-Cartier International Airport today. Tomorrow they will take part in National Canada Day


The dress was a navy, lace Cecile shift scoop-backed dress of contrast stone crepe with a navy lace overlay. The dress has a sheer lace sleeve with a scallop detail.

She sported the same nude LK Bennett £175 heels she has sported on several occasions recently. Her hairdresser, James Pryce, had also swept her hair back in a 'half up, half down' do to account for the slight breeze.

After their official welcome, they headed straight for the National War Memorial in the centre of the city.

As the couple's official car drew up along the red carpet, they were greeted by the Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his wife Laureen.

The 10,000 strong crowd, waving Canadian flags and flowers, cheered wildly as they stepped out. Tanned Kate looked particularly delighted at the warm reception and waved shyly.

Quick change: The Duchess of Cambridge boarded the plane at Heathrow in a navy-blue Roland Mouret dress, but by the time she landed she'd changed into an outfit by Erdem Moralıoglu, a Montreal-born designer, in a carefully-chosen nod to her Canadian hosts. She teamed it with nude heels and a matching clutch bag


The foursome approached the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and stood in quiet contemplation as the Last Post was played by a lone trumpeter.

William then placed a large wreath on the monument while his wife leant forwards to put down a small posey. The duchess warmly greeted the woman who had handed it to her, Mabel Girouard.

Mrs Girouard's son Bobby, 46, was killed by a suicide bomber in Afghanistan in 2006. She was chosen by the Canadian Legion as their Memorial Silver Cross Mother.

As they left the memorial the couple undertook what will be the first of many walkabouts, sending the crowd into a frenzy. There were as many screams for William as there were for Kate.

The Duchess looked delighted as she was handed armfuls of flowers and gifts.'Thank you so much. We are so delighted to be here,' she said.

Official welcome: The Royal couple shake hands with Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird

Great honour: A special flag created for the young Royal couple flew from the bonnet of their car.
It's the first new flag to be designed by a Commonwealth country for a member of the Royal family since 1962. Right, the Prince's standard was waved from the Canadian Air Force plane as the couple landed

Pleased to meet you: A line of dignitaries waits to meet the Duchess of Cambridge as she steps on to the tarmac at a blustery Ottawa airport


Occasionally she looked over to her husband on the other side of the crowd to make sure she was moving quickly enough.

William looked equally thrilled as one woman told him;'Canada is so happy you are here.' 'Thank you, that is so kind,' he replied.

As she waited for the prince to finish Kate chatted with the Prime Minister and his wife and told them: 'That was so amazing, there were so many people there.... How many do you think?

'We have been on the go since 7.30 this morning so it's been a long day.'

Then, as the couple got into their official car, her first test over, Kate leant into her husband's shoulder and grinned broadly with undisguised relief.

But the new Duchess only had a brief respite before the couple were driven to Ottawa's Rideau Hall, the governor general's residence, for an official welcome event.

Prince William charmed the crowd by flitting between English and French, as Kate looked on admiringly.

He joked: 'It will improve as we go on,' and continued: 'Catherine and I are so delighted to be here in Canada.

'Instilled in us by our parents and grandparents, who love this country, we have been looking forward to this moment for a very long time – and before we were married, we had a longing to come here together.

'The geography of Canada is unsurpassed and is famous for being matched only by the hospitality of its people. We are so very excited about having this opportunity to experience both – and learn much more about this amazing country.'

Among those who turned out the greet the Royal couple was Jennifer Baldwin, 19, who drove for 21 hours from her home in Bloomington, Illinois, and stood in the street from 5.30am to see the couple at close quarters.

She said: 'I talked to William and congratulated him on the wedding and he said "thank you very much", he's so polite! My mum told him we had come from the U.S. and he said: "We're going there next".

'It was completely worth the journey just for that five seconds. I mean, I shook his hand!'

Francine Dorion, 50, gave the Duchess a tapestry she had made, featuring a picture of the couple kissing on the balcony of Buckingham Palace on their wedding day.

She said: 'Kate said it was beautiful and thanked me for doing it for them. She is so pretty and reminds me of Diana. She just steals you.'

Tomorrow they will take part in Canada Day - a special day for William as it would have been his mother's 50th birthday. They will be opening the Calgary Stampede and canoeing in the Northwest Territories before flying to Los Angeles.

Solemn: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge made a sombre start to their official tour with a visit to the Canadian War Memorial. Flanked by Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his wife Laureen, they pause for a moment of silence

Respectful: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge each laid a wreath at the Canadian War Memorial in Ottawa this afternoon

Thoughtful: Kate lays a bouquet of red roses at the tomb of the unknown soldier in Ottawa

Graceful: Kate bobs down to lay the bouquet on the steps of the tomb

Respectful: Kate bows her head alongside her husband for a moment's silence


During the visit, Prince William will demonstrate his skills as a helicopter rescue pilot by performing a water landing. Later, they will head to Quebec City where they will don their aprons for a cooking workshop.

Tomorrow they will mark Canada Day and after their week-long tour of Canada they will jet to LA to host a gala dinner.

There, they will promote up-and-coming British film talent by introducing them to Hollywood executives.

The south Californian trip will include a $4,000-a-head three-course meal and charity polo match, giving revellers an opportunity to get close to the Duke and Duchess.

Admiring glances: Kate looks relaxed and elegant as she walks by war veterans in Ottawa, and right, she signs the guest book as William waits his turn

Tribute: Prince William inspects a Canadian Forces guard of honour, left, and right, the note - in French and English - he left on the tomb of the unknown soldier


The Mail can also reveal that the Queen has given the new Duchess the pick of her fabulous collection of jewels for the 11-day trip.

The monarch, who is said to be extremely fond of her grandson’s new bride, wants Kate to shine on her first major test as a member of the Royal Family.

A few weeks ago she invited the 29-year-old Duchess into Buckingham Palace to choose from her priceless collection of tiaras, necklaces and bracelets, and she picked out one or two pieces to borrow.

While Kate is said to be ‘excited beyond belief’ at the prospect of the hugely anticipated tour, she is also keen not to overshadow her new husband, the Mail understands.

Picture perfect: The Duchess has already mastered the Royal wave, and both she and Prince William beamed as they greeted the crowds

Fans of all ages: The prince holds a little boy's hand as he is lifted up to say hello, left, and greets a war veteran, right


It is one of the reasons she has chosen not to make any public speeches during the trip, while the Duke will make several.

In this she appears to have learnt a lesson from the experience of Princess Diana, who repeatedly stole the limelight from her then husband, Prince Charles, and in doing so unwittingly drove a wedge between them.

The prince would become particularly frustrated when, during official walkabouts, the crowds would groan and call for Diana when he approached them.

Walkabouts will be a particular feature of the Canadian leg of William and Kate’ s trip as they attempt to meet as many of their future subjects as possible.

Their arrival in the Commonwealth country, where the Queen is still sovereign, is eagerly anticipated, with frenzied minute-by-minute television coverage.

Overwhelming affection: The Duchess looks ecstatic as she shakes hand with the crowd and clutches bunches of flowers presented by Royal fans lining the streets

Happy to be here: The Duchess of Cambridge laughs as her husband gives a speech, left, and pauses for a moment to smell one of her many bouquets, right

Popular princess: Kate bobs down to accept flowers from two little girls, left, and beams ecstatically as she shakes hands with fans

Mobbed: Prince William almost disappears beneath a sea of Royal fans wielding cameras. One woman even seemed to be wearing a replica of his wife's engagement ring


Each public appearance is expected to draw thousands of well-wishers on to the streets and large crowds gathered from early yesterday keen to meet the glamorous young newly-weds.

Some anti-royal protests are, however, expected later in the week in the French-speaking provinces, with small republican groups planning protests in Quebec City and Montreal.

‘This visit is really a battle for the hearts and minds of Canadian as to what to do down the road about the head of state in Canada,’ said University of Ottawa History Professor Michael Behiels.

They had no fears about winning over Joyce Udell, 57, a diplomat with the Canadian Government, had delayed travelling home to St John's in Newfoundland in order to see the couple.

Official welcome: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrive at Rideau Hall, and Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his wife look on as Kate accepts more flowers

Poise: The Duchess of Cambridge beams as she and her husband arrive at Rideau Hall, and right, she is at ease chatting to Prime Minister Stephen Harper


She said: 'I don't like to use the word admire but I like her style, I like both their styles, they're not as ostentatious as some in the royal family.

'Kate, she reinvents herself with her clothes and wears the same dress twice - which the royals don't do.

'They are going to be a fabulous king and queen in the future. They are obviously in love and I think that's where their strength lies.'

Cherie Gray, 50, a by-law enforcement officer from the town of Manitouwadge, Ontario had made a six-hour detour while on holiday in the national province with husband David, 51, to see the royal couple.

She said: 'We're so excited to be here and hopefully to meet Kate - she brings a new revival to the royal family and represents the younger generation.'

THE U.S. AND CANADA ROYAL TOUR ITINERARY

June 30-July 2: The National Capital Region (Ottawa, Ontario and Gatineau, Quebec)

The Duke and Duchess will take part in Canada Day celebrations in Ottawa on July 1

July 2: Montreal

The pair will be in town for the final Saturday of the Montreal Jazz Festival

July 3: Quebec City

William and Catherine will spend the day in Quebec City, before moving on to Charlottetown

July 3-4: Prince Edward Island

The Duchess is apparently a fan of Anne of Green Gables, a book set in Prince Edward Island and written by Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery, which might explain this stop off

July 4-6: Yellowknife, Northwest Territories
July 6-8: Calgary, Alberta

William and Catherine will be in town for one of Calgary's biggest annual events, The Calgary Stampede on July 8, but it is unlikely that they will attend the rodeo

July 8: Los Angeles, United States

During their three-day visit to California, the royal couple will stay at the British consul-general's residence in the historic Hancock Park district of Los Angeles

On Friday night the couple will be the guests of honor at a Consular-General Reception held by the United Kingdom Trade and Investment.

July 9: Los Angeles, United States

In the afternoon, Prince William is expected to play at the Santa Barbara Polo Club in a charity match - the Foundation Polo Cup - to benefit the American Friends of the Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry with the Duchess presenting the winners' trophy.

That evening, Catherine and William will attend a reception and dinner at the 1926 Belasco Theatre in downtown LA put on by the BAFTAs

July 10: Los Angeles, United States

On Sunday, the couple will visit the Inner-City Arts School, an organisation helping children from a deprived neighbourhood in downtown L.A.

They will then go to Culver City's Sony Studios, where they'll visit the Service Nation: Mission Serve job fair.

Catherine and William will fly back to the UK from LAX


source: dailymail

In the navy: Prince William and coordinated Kate board plane to Canada as ten-day royal tour begins

By Maysa Rawi


Jet set: Kate Middleton does understated chic as she prepares to board a plane to Canada at Heathrow airport today

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge proved they were in perfect sync as they boarded a plane to Canada today.

Wearing matching navy blue, the couple were pictured on the runway heading to the Royal Canadian Air Force aircraft at London's Heathrow Airport.

They are expected to land in Ottawa at 2pm local time.

Kate was the picture of understated elegance on the runway in a blue shift dress and matching blazer with gold buttons.

She accessoried with blue court shoes and a £895 Mulberry handbag.
William wore a suit of the same colour and a red tie.

With her hair freshly blow-dried, Kate's glossy mane will no doubt continue to look flawless throughout the trip as she is rumoured to be travelling with her hairdresser James Pryce.

Her wardrobe has been kept under wraps but potential outfits have been an endless source of speculation over the last few weeks.

Kate is said to have hired a personal shopper at London department store Selfridges.

But whether she will stick to her favourite High Street stores or mix and match with designer labels remains to be seen.

Either way, the couple are on a tight schedule.

William and Kate's arrival in the Commonwealth country is eagerly anticipated and their appearance later in the capital is expected to draw thousands on to the streets.

They will be celebrating Canada Day in Ottawa, opening the Calgary Stampede and canoeing in the Northwest Territories before taking off to Los Angeles.

Canada's prime minister has even unveiled a personal flag for use during William's visit.

It is the first flag to be created by Canada for a member of the royal family since 1962, when the queen adopted a personal flag for her own use in Canada.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper said the flag was approved by the queen and William.

The Canadian secretary to Queen Elizabeth II and the chief organizer of the trip Kevin MacLeod said: 'I think given the youth and the dynamism of this couple they will simply continue to reaffirm the important role the crown plays in this country.

The young prince also plans to demonstrate his skills as a helicopter rescue pilot by taking part in a water landing demonstration, and the couple is scheduled to put on aprons and take part in a cooking workshop in Quebec City.

Perfect match: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will land in Ottawa later today to start their ten-day tour in Canada and U.S

Fresh-faced: Kate looked groomed to perfection, with freshly blow-dried hair while William looked elegant in a blue suit and red tie


Some anti-royal protests are expected in the French-speaking province of Quebec, with small groups planning protests in Quebec City and Montreal.

The prince and Kate jet to Los Angeles on July 8 and will host a gala dinner there the next night to introduce up-and-coming British film talent to Hollywood executives.

The southern California trip includes a $4,000 three-course meal and a charity polo match up close with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, as they are formally known.

On duty: William talks to James Wright, the Canadian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom

Private transport: The couple are travelling on the Royal Canadian Air Force plane


So far, about 1,000 VIP tickets have been sold to the polo match along with about 400 general admission passes, raising nearly $4.4 million for the July 9 event. William plans to play in the match, and his wife will award the trophy to the winning team.

William will be celebrating Canada's birthday on Friday, the same day his mother Diana would have turned 50.

He is due to say a few words at a number of stops. Kate is not scheduled to speak.

The couple will travel from the sub-Arctic to oil-rich Calgary, Alberta, from busy Montreal to bucolic Prince Edward Island of "Anne of Green Gables" fame.

They'll sit around a campfire with young people, dress casual for the Calgary rodeo, join a cookout in Quebec City and hand out flags to newly-minted Canadians at a citizenship ceremony.


source:dailymail