Veteran royal reporter Judy Wade joins the newlyweds as they take Canada by storm on their first official overseas tour.
Not since the peak of Diana-mania has the world seen anything quite like it. As Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, arrived in Ottawa to participate in Canada Day festivities, the city streets came to a standstill, with almost half a million people lining the route, trying to catch a glimpse of the royal newlyweds in their horse-drawn carriage.
On only the second day of their whirlwind 11-day North American trip, it was already apparent the couple’s first official overseas tour was a wild success, with the future of the British monarchy secure in the hearts of the biggest Commonwealth territory. William and Kate’s playful, relaxed manner, down-to-earth chitchat and willingness to give everything a go clearly struck a chord with the Canadians. As did the duchess’s dazzling fashion choices – a mixture of sleek, sophisticated British and local designs, often in Canada’s national colours with maple-leaf accents.
From a hospital visit in Montreal to a street hockey game in remote Yellowknife, 500km from the Arctic Circle, thousands turned up everywhere the pair went. Yet, despite the vast, cheering crowds, William and Kate, both 29, had eyes only for each other. The tour was like a second honeymoon, with the newlyweds stealing intimate glances and giving cheeky grins throughout their royal duties. These constant displays of affection have seen Wills and Kate dubbed “the world’s sweethearts”, with the couple even sharing a cuddle in the rain after their dragon boat race on Prince Edward Island.
The weather in Canada was mostly warm, but the chemistry between the two was sizzling. It was all anyone who met them could talk about – even a homeless punk in Quebec described them as having “this magic bubble around them”. They acted as if they had some wonderful secret, and it would be no surprise if they were trying for a baby. Both William and his wife have confessed they can’t wait to become parents and, while in Quebec, Kate once again spoke of her desire to be a mum.
Read more about William and Kate’s baby plans in this week’s Woman’s Day, on sale July 11, 2011.
