That afternoon, a reception and lunch was hosted by the Governor-General for the royal couple.

October 24th was an “away day” in Brisbane. The Queen and the Duke hopped aboard a river boat and traveled up the Brisbane River to Southbank. Once ashore, they visited the Queensland Performing Arts Center.

That afternoon, the royals met with emergency response personnel and members of the communities affected by the floods. The Queen and Prince Philip attended a re-dedication Ceremony of Rainforest and the opening of Rain Bank.

The Queen and Prince Philip were back in Canberra on Tuesday, October 25th. They visited the Australian War Memorial and viewed the Afghanistan Memorial, where the Queen placed a wreath. Later, the royal couple met with Australian Defense Force Personnel at Orientation Hall.

October 26th: Prince Philip and The Queen participated in another Away Day, this time in Melbourne, where they opened the Royal Children’s Hospital. That afternoon they toured Melbourne, starting with a visit to the Ian Potter Centre, National Gallery of Victoria; a walk through Federation Square and a ride on a Melbourne Tram; attended a reception hosted by the Governor of Victoria at Government House. The Queen was resplendent in pink throughout.

After the Away Day activities, The Queen and The Duke departed Melbourne for Perth.

On Thursday, October 27th, the royals paid a visit to Clontarf Aboriginal College. The Duke of Edinburgh was especially keen to see the sporting facilities. Afterwards, they attended a Garden Party at Government House, where the Queen turned out in her second stunning turquoise and white ensemble for the day.

Approximately one hundred students from across Western Australia lined a path to the lower gardens, when the Duke stopped to chat. Philip asked why the students were in pairs, and when told it was because they were the head boys and girls, he said in his typical blunt fashion: “It’s obvious they didn’t choose the attractive ones then”. (!)

Premier Colin Barnett was pleased to have the royal visitors come to the country, and he thanked the Queen and Prince Philip for visiting WA and presented the royals with a gift – a book of drawings of wild flowers from the Eastern Goldfields by Phillipa Nikulinsky.

October 28th: Her Majesty arrived at the Opening Ceremony of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. The opening featured a vast array of leaders from around the world: 25 Prime Ministers, 10 Presidents, five Vice-Presidents, two Deputy Prime Ministers, one High Commissioner, a lord and the Sultan of Brunei.

“I have had the good fortune, together with Prince Philip, to attend many CHOGMs over many years. Their importance has always been in precise relationship to their relevance: always being attuned to the issues of the day, and always looking to the future with a sense of vision and practical action to match. In your deliberations over the days ahead, you have the encouragement of the whole Commonwealth to maintain this vital tradition.” – The Queen’s speech at the CHOGM

That evening, the royal couple attended a banquet at the Pan Pacific Hotel. For this occasion, the Queen busted out her best parure for the occasion – the brilliant aquamarine set in honor of the brilliantly blue ocean that surrounds Australia.

These gems are gifts from Brazil. The earrings and matching necklace were a Coronation gift to The Queen from the President and People of Brazil in 1953.

The stones sit inside a diamond and platinum setting. A few years later, in 1958, a bracelet and matching brooch were presented to The Queen by the Brazilian Government as a matching set to the original Coronation presents. Elizabeth then requested that royal jeweler Garrard complete the parure with a stunning tiara.

On Saturday, October 29th, the Queen and the Duke were feted by the Australian community during “The Big Aussie BBQ”. In the spirit of outdoor eating, the Queen topped off her elegant maroon and white outfit with a hat eerily reminiscent of a marshmallow. S’mores, anyone?

And so…

Elizabeth and Philip set off from Australia back to the U.K. after the barbeque. It was a highly successful visit and one that the Australian people will not soon forget. Her Majesty charmed everyone she met, and though there were one or two gaffes (Gillard’s curtsey controversy and Philip’s quips!) the royal couple made a happy and favorable impression on their Commonwealth neighbors. It also gave the United Kingdom a chance to present its history-making change to the succession law.

Vivat Regina! (And God Bless The Duke!)

The Queen previously presented her colors to the RMC during her visits in 1957, 1970 and 1988.

After the parade, the Queen met with the granddaughter of a Military Cross recipient. Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Pembroke was awarded the Cross by the Queen during her visit in 1953.

Later that day, Prince Philip attended the Commonwealth Study Conference reception.

The Queen expressed her sentiments during Friday’s reception at Parliament House in Canberra [read the full speech]. Earlier in the day the Queen held formal meetings with both Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott. Prince Philip, meanwhile, attended a reception for the Duke of Edinburgh Awards.

British Prime Minister David Cameron, with the backing of the Queen, has discussed overturning the ancient law of primogeniture in the United Kingdom.

Currently, if a first-born royal child is a girl, she will be automatically superseded in the line of succession if a male sibling is born.

With the marriage of Prince William to Kate Middleton in April, the topic of primogeniture has been a major talking point. It has been deemed out of date in the current modern era, and the Queen is set to support the change. Her Majesty needs the approval of Commonwealth countries to enact such a change, so the royal tour is the time to seize the moment.

David Howell, the Foreign Office minister for the Commonwealth, said that he believed the matter of royal succession “will be discussed and I believe approved at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Perth”.

Thanks to The Star!

Wednesday, October 19th (Day 1):

Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh were greeted at the Royal Australian Air Force base by Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Australia’s Governor-General, Quentin Bryce.

Bryce curtsied as protocol required upon greeting the Queen, but republican Gillard chose to shake the Queen’s hand and give a slight bow. It caused quite a stir and Gillard was pegged as “rude”.

“If she isn’t a royalist, it’s not a matter of that; it’s a matter of paying courtesy to a queen, to the Queen,” said June Dally-Watkins, an Australian etiquette expert.

Gillard said she was told to do what she “was most comfortable with”.

(It seems like Gillard is just plain confused about her role and the etiquette expected.)

Today, the second day of the tour, the royal couple meet with Bryce, the Queen’s representative in Australia, then continue on to visit Floriade, Australian’s version of the Chelsea Flower Show. The Queen and the Duke are also due for a tour of the gardens of Government House.

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.

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The Middleton brand soldiers on, and it looks like a juggernaut.

“Brand Middleton is a powerful product with theoretically limitless potential, but paradoxically, perhaps the greatest appeal of Kate and Pippa is their resolute refusal to succumb to the temptations and trappings of fashion and celebrity,” says Belinda White, the Telegraph’s fashion editor.

In other words, Middleton squared keep it simple. Both Catherine and Pippa favor classic, clean looks and have been credited for bringing back sensible hems, stylish blazers, and elegant sleeves. Catherine, as Duchess of Cambridge and a new royal role model, has seen copies of her outfits sell out in shops in a matter of minutes.

Big sister’s magic has most certainly shimmered down onto the shoulders of younger sister Pippa, who is taking full advantage of her new socialite status. Despite the media fawning over her clothing, well-honed derriere, and now her marital prospects, Pippa continues to keep it classic. Take the recent Wimbledon outing: a simple red linen dress. What about her post-Royal Wedding ensemble? Pippa emerged from the Goring Hotel wearing slim white jeans with a bright blue blazer from Zara. Nothing gaudy for the Middleton sisters, who look like they have a bright future as style guides to reel in a somewhat lost generation who has been besieged by the likes of Katy Perry, Kerry Katona, and Kim Kardashian.

May Brand Middleton outlive them all.

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1947 ROYAL TOUR