Everyone knows Kate Middleton, now the Duchess of Cambridge. The gorgeous Queen Rania of Jordan ranks high in the royal elite, and Queen Elizabeth II is a legend. Which modern-day royals rank in your top 10? Let’s hear the nominations as we research the hard-working and history-worthy royals across the world.
It has been tremendously exciting to see William and Catherine touring Canada and California.
It is incredibly beneficial to have the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, as well as other royals, visit this side of the pond. The United Kingdom is an important nation, not just as an economic and political ally, but also because it is a part of the fabric of life in both Canada and the U.S. I hope that in years to come they will also do an extensive tour of the United States!
As exciting as it has been for all of us, it must be remembered that it was a tour of epic proportions for Prince William and his new bride Catherine, who, despite the intense media glare, has done extremely well! Catherine’s role as a royal has been threatened with the specter of Diana, but nothing sticks. The new Duchess of Cambridge is her own woman, bringing a delightfully confident and genuinely happy air to her new position.
If this tour is any indication of the future of the monarchy, then we can all rest easy.
Here is a look back at the very first royal Cambridge tour:
Canada
June 30
The Duke and Duchess touch down in Ottawa in the Canadian province of Ontario and head to the National War Memorial for wreath-laying. Then it was on to Government House for the official welcome to Canada ceremony.
After a walkabout Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Governor-General David Johnston gave speeches welcoming the royal couple. Afterwards they attended a youth barbecue and reception in garden of Government House.
July 1
William and Catherine arrived at the Canadian Museum of Civilization for a citizenship ceremony. They continued to Parliament Hill by landau for Canada Day celebrations.
July 2
After a tree planting at Government House, it was on to the Canadian War Museum for a reception with veterans, war brides and families.
The Cambridges departed Ottawa and arrived at Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport, continuing on to Sainte-Justine University Children’s Hospital to the meet children and parents. The couple then travel to the Institut de tourisme et d’hotellerie du Quebec for a cooking workshop and reception.
July 3
The Cambridges arrived in Quebec City. They attended a prayer service aboard HMCS Montreal. Afterwards, they visited residents of La Maison Dauphine, a center that helps homeless youths, which was followed by a military ceremony and the 375th-year celebration of the city of Levis.
July 4
William and Catherine visited Province House in Charlottetown. Afterwards there was a Waterbirding demonstration at Dalvay by the Sea. The Duke demonstrated the technique used to make a controlled the descent and landing over water in a Sea King helicopter. Catherine watched proudly and took pictures with her personal camera.
After the demonstration, William and Catherine competed against one another in a Dragon boat race across Dalvay Lake.
After the high-spirited race, the Cambridges took a break at Dalvay by the Sea Resort; there was a presentation to the winning team, the smudging ceremony, and cultural performances.
July 5 & 6
The Cambridges arrived in Yellowknife, located in the Northwest Territories. There they visited Somba K’e Civic Plaza for a prayer drum song and dance. There is a demonstration of Dene games and Arctic sports, then a spot of green-thumb activities as they plant shrubs. After a plaque unveiling, there is a game of street hockey in which the Duke happily participated. His wife cheered him on, excusing herself from the activity due to her high heels.
At the legislative assembly, a session of Youth Parliament was held. The couple attended a reception there before departing by float plane for Blachford Lake.
Upon their arrival at Blachford Lake, they were greeted by federal Defense Minister Peter MacKay, Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq, Brig.-Gen. Guy Hamel of the Canadian Forces’ Joint Task Force North, and members of the 1st Canadian Ranger Patrol Group. William and Catherine toured the Dechinta Centre for Research and Learning and met with students and elders, who offered a tour of their organic gardens. The Cambridges then took a calm canoe ride, much more placid than their Dragonboat race!
Thursday, July 7
At the conclusion of their Yellowknife visit, the Duke and Duchess flew to Calgary where they were greeted in a white-hatting ceremony. That evening, they toured the 21st Century Research and Innovation Centre.
William and Catherine headed to the BMO Centre for a reception hosted by Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Soon after the Cambridges ditched their formal duds for casual chic for Calgary’s annual stampede and rodeo. The couple donned their cowboy hats – William’s grandparents did the same when they first visited Canada as a young royal couple – and officially launched the Calgary Stampede Parade.
The Duke and Duchess toured the ENMAX Conservatory/Calgary Zoo and took in environmental preservation displays. William, as patron of the homeless charity Centrepoint, then went with his wife to meet homeless youth privately. The couple then continued on to attend an Alberta government reception. Alberta was named for William’s ancestor – Queen Victoria’s daughter Princess Louise, whose middle name was Alberta.
After a wreath-laying ceremony at Calgary Rotary Challenger Park, William and Catherine returned to the Calgary International Airport to prepare for their departure to Los Angeles.
California
Prince William, the president of BAFTA gave a speech at the gala. The BAFTA event was held to spotlight emerging British talent and to build partnerships between Hollywood and new British actors.
The Duke polished his boots and saddled up to play a charity polo match at the Santa Barbara Polo Club. The match was held to benefit the American Friends of the Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry, while the Catherine distributed the prizes.
William was also on hand to help promote Tusk USA, the American branch of Tusk Trust, of which he is patron.
As the Cambridges wrapped up their tour, the Duke and Duchess paid a visit to Inner-City Arts, an L.A. program that helps disadvantaged and homeless children through art. They continued in their charitable vein and helped put together care packages for military veterans and their families transitioning to civilian life.
Image via Wikipedia
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge landed in Canada yesterday afternoon for the start of their royal tour. They arrived in Ottawa and went to Rideau Hall, the official residence of the Governor General who represents the monarch in Canada.
Whenever I think of Rideau Hall, I think of Queen Victoria’s daughter Princess Louise and her husband. Louise, the sixth child of Queen Victoria, was the only one of the queen’s daughters to marry a commoner; her husband was John Campbell, the Marquess of Lorne and heir to the Duke of Argyll. He was known in the family as simply “Lorne”. I was first introduced to them in Jerrold Packard’s Victoria’s Daughters. This is their story.
—
The witty and beautiful Louise perplexed her mother. She had an independent spirit and didn’t view life through the queen’s somber lens. The princess was also a very talented sculptor and painter. It was not unusual to see Louise walking the grounds of a royal residence with sketch pad and tools in hand. Louise used her stunning mastery of these art forms as leverage to persuade the queen to allow her to attend art school, something royal princesses did not do. The fact that the princess even broached the subject with the monarch showed her resolve to be her own woman and meet people outside the royal circle.
Prince Albert had been an extremely skillful artist as well. He once said that “as an art, sculpting is even more beautiful than painting”. Knowing that her adored husband would probably approve, Victoria’s resolve weakened and she allowed Louise to attend art school.
Continuing on her mission to gain more social experience, Louise begged Victoria to allow her to attend one of the famous breakfast parties held by Prime Minister Gladstone and his wife. The queen gave her consent, and it was at this party she met her future husband.
The young Marquess of Lorne of the Scottish Campbell clan was a very quiet backbencher in the House of Commons. As an MP he made little impression, but Lorne had a creative side. He had a few years of experience traveling throughout North and Central America writing travel literature and poetry. What he lacked in political skills, he made up for with his creative talents. He was also an energetic young man, and his attractive Highland looks appealed to Louise.
Lorne asked Louise to marry him soon after this meeting, and she accepted. They both felt that they could live contentedly with shared interests. Queen Victoria was also happy with the match, knowing that Lorne could infuse new blood into the royal line. ** Read more…
Royal Updates for July 2010.
Prince Albert gets engaged to Charlene Wittstock, and Princess Victoria of Sweden marries her Daniel. What the heck would Diana be like today, had she lived? What’s up with Crown Princess Letizia of Spain? Welcome to the latest edition of RoyaltyNow! Click here to view the latest!
