Travelling by landau, frigate and seaplane, Prince William and Catherine’s first official foreign trip will be both casual and action-packed with military displays, a cooking class, aboriginal games and a rodeo.
But it will also mark a first real test for the newest member of Britain’s royal family, a sort of initiation for the Duchess of Cambridge, and training for both a future king and queen of England.
The young couple is expected to arrive on Thursday in Ottawa for the start of a nine-day tour of Canada. Thousands of cameras are expected to follow their every move in the country from June 30 to July 7. Prince William, second in line of succession to the British throne, already has plenty of experience carrying on royal duties. But his wife, the duchess, is still a rookie in the public eye.
William is scheduled to give at least four speeches during his visit, but Catherine is only to be seen, not heard — in accordance with protocol. Modest, the duchess will not be accompanied by a wardrobe assistant on the trip, only a hairdresser, and she will pack nearly 40 gowns for public events, according to British media. Given the couple’s age — 29 years — the Canadian government tried to organise a schedule that “balances” official events with fun, and of course includes a bit of alone time for the newlyweds.