On April 29, 2011, Prince William of Wales married Catherine Middleton at Westminster Abbey in London. The newlyweds' first royal tour took place in Canada from June 30 to July 8. People across the country rejoiced with the couple as they made their way through a land that holds special significance for the Royal Family, emphasizing and renewing the bond with Canada.This was not the Duke of Cambridges first trip "home to Canada," since he accompanied his parents, Charles and Diana, in 1991 and his father and brother, Harry, in 1998. This journey included such highlights as Canada Day in Ottawa, dragon boating in Prince Edward Island, visiting homeless youth in Quebec City, street hockey in Yellowknife, and a side trip to help bolster the courage of fire-devastated citizens in Slave Lake, Alberta.The Duke and Duchess presented the vibrant, modern face of the Royal Family, and excitement followed them everywhere as they travelled across Canada.
close this panelChristina Blizzard is the Queen’s Park columnist for QMI and has worked for the Toronto Sun and Britain’s The Guardian. She is the author of Right Turn: How the Tories Took Ontario and is past president of the Legislative Press Gallery. Christina lives in Toronto.
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