A windy welcome for William and Kate: Elegant Duchess steps from plane in figure-hugging dress to kick start Canada tour

• Kate takes 30 outfits for her nine days in Canada
• Thousands turn out to welcome the couple to Ottawa

By Richard Hartley-parkinson

Last updated at 9:05 PM on 30th June 2011


The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have arrived in Canada after touching down at Ottawa Airport.

They walked from the plane on to the gusty runway as they embarked on their first official foreign visit, to be greeted by a host of dignitaries and a wall of photographers.

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

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 to begin their week-long tour

All smiles: Kate beams as she and Prince William land in Ottawa this afternoon on their first official foreign visit

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.

Kate had changed out of the navy Roland Mouret shift she wore at Heathrow into an elegant navy and white lace dress.

She deliberately chose her outfit to compliment her hosts, as it was designed by Erdem Moralioglu, a British designer born and raised in Montreal.

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.

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

A natural: The Duchess of Cambridge 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

The couple landed at 2pm local time and were driven straight to Ottawa, where they were greeted by loud cheers as they arrived in a limousine car proudly sporting the new flag.

With a tight schedule ahead of them, they went straight to the National War Memorial to the grave of the unknown soldier to take part in a wreath laying ceremony.

The Last Post was sounded before a minute's silence was held and the Canadian flag lowered to half mast as bagpipes were played.

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.

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

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

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.

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

One has arrived: William's standard was waved out of the window from the Canadian Airforce plane when they landed in Ottawa

While Kate is not scheduled to speak officially at any of the events, William will say a few words on a number of stops.

A reminder of the couple's glittering wedding was on display in the windows of a grand Post Office building, overlooking the war memorial, which showcased large images of Canadian commemorative stamps marking the royal nuptials.

An image of William and Kate in a carriage on their way back from Westminster Abbey was featured on one of the souvenir collectables while the picture taken on the day they announced their engagement last November was on another.

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.

Warm welcome: Young Royal fans hold up a hand-painted banner as they eagerly await Kate and William's arrival in Ottawa. They arrived early in the morning to ensure they had the best spot

Flying the flag: Will and Kate fans line up at the National War Memorial in Ottawa, where the young couple laid a wreath at the grave of the unknown soldier and observed a minute's silence

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.'


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