We’re very, very delighted to see them come’
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will make their first visit to the Yukon on Sept. 27-28, it was confirmed today.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will make their first visit to the Yukon on Sept. 27-28, it was confirmed today.
The Department of Canadian Heritage released more details about Prince William’s and Kate’s autumn visit to Canada.
The 2016 Canadian tour, the second for the royal couple since they married in 2011, includes visits to Whitehorse and Carcross, as well as five stops in B.C.
“I am excited to welcome Their Royal Highnesses to the territory on behalf of all Yukoners,” Premier Darrell Pasloski said in a statement this morning.
“The Duke and Duchess’ visit to Carcross and Whitehorse is a special opportunity for us to share our beautiful territory, rich culture and renowned hospitality with them and with the world.”
There have been multiple reports that the couple’s young children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, will join their parents on the tour, but these have yet to be confirmed through official channels.
It is also unknown at this time if the prime minister will greet the royals in the Yukon.
Justin Trudeau has not visited the territory since assuming office in November 2015.
Exactly what activities the royal couple have scheduled in the Yukon have yet to be revealed, but the Canadian Heritage department says there will be a “lively public celebration” in Whitehorse on Sept. 28.
Mayor Dan Curtis confirmed that there will be an opportunity for anyone interested to come out and see the royal couple while they’re in the Yukon’s capital.
“We’re obviously delighted that the royals are coming to experience the most beautiful place in the commonwealth,” Curtis told the Star this morning.
He said the city is still waiting for more information from the Yukon government on things like public events and road closures while the duke and duchess are in town.
“We’re very, very delighted to see them come, and I know they’re going to be very impressed with the great hosts that the Yukon can and will be,” he said.
This fall’s royal tour will run from Sept. 24 to Oct. 1.
In addition to the Yukon, the couple will visit Victoria, Vancouver, Bella Bella, Kelowna and Haida Gwaii in B.C.
Mélanie Joly, the Canadian Heritage minister, today expressed her enthusiasm about the royal visit to Canada.
“We’re very excited to have the duke and duchess in the country,” she said on her way into a cabinet retreat in Sudbury, Ont.
“It will be a great trip in B.C., in the Yukon, and I look forward to meeting them, and I’m convinced that the prime minister and his wife will be very positive in greeting them to the country as well.”
During their second visit to Canada, the duke and duchess will take part in activities that bring attention to efforts by Canadians to protect the environment, empower youth, promote active lifestyles and work on mental health, said a statement from the Canadian Heritage department.
They will also participate in events that showcase indigenous heritage and culture.
“Their Royal Highnesses will shine a light on the dedication and service of many Canadians who are doing important work in our northern and west coast communities,” Joly said in the Canadian Heritage department statement.
This will be the Duke of Cambridge’s third visit to Canada and the second for the duchess.
Prince William travelled to Canada in 1991 with his parents, Prince Charles and Princess Diana, and his brother, Prince Harry.
The duke and duchess visited Canada for the first time as a married couple shortly after their wedding.
During the 2011 tour, the pair travelled to Ottawa, where they took part in Canada Day celebrations on Parliament Hill.
They also visited Montreal, Quebec City, Charlottetown, Summerside, P.E.I., Yellowknife, Calgary and Slave Lake, Alta.
Less than two months before the 2011 royal visit, a massive fire tore through Slave Lake, destroying 374 properties, and causing an estimated $700-million worth of damage.
When the newlyweds went to the northern Alberta town, they met with firefighters and families who had lost their homes.
The 2011 visit also served as an attempt to get younger Canadians excited about the monarchy. There is a perception that interest in the royal family in Canada has waned from previous generations.
The royal tour’s cost will be split among the federal, B.C. and Yukon governments.
The final bill will be released after the tour is over.
– With files from The Canadian Press
Comments (7)
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Dr. Dave on Aug 25, 2016 at 6:53 pm
Do they or do they not pay their way, and does that include paying for the 41 security people who flew up here three weeks ago to check things out?
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June Jackson on Aug 25, 2016 at 4:54 pm
I think the Monarchy is a piece of the worlds historical past that we should hang on to..and...
These royals are super, (into the SUPER category) rich and spend millions and millions of dollars and personal time on their charities. I remember Princess Diana saying that money was simply not enough and she walked into a mine field... They take their obligations to mankind very seriously helping to set global objectives. An example might be work done in AIDS research after Princess Di kissed an AIDS child as opposed to before..
I am not sure why they would come to the Yukon, but I am sure whatever it costs, the governments would find some way to *iss that money away somewhere. And who knows...the Yukon will be in the world spotlight, perhaps our tourism industry will double next year... or business that has previously not considered us...might now have a second look.. If nothing else, the Royalist in town will be thrilled to their toes!
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GawdBlessYerMa'am on Aug 25, 2016 at 10:52 am
Just remember the Australian experience in the year 2000 ; They were all out for ditching the parasites (dressed up as blue-blood 'Royals' ) and so they called a referendum on ditching the lot of them and setting up a Republic. And so it came to pass, verily, a referendum was called, the good folks of Australia came out en masse to voice their ( very loud ) opinions .... and, well, gosh, I say, we rather like them after all. A clear majority vote for retaining the Monarchy. Take note all you critics in Canada. (and yes, they do in fact pay their way in getting here - no Canadian taxpayer-funded all-expenses jolly to be seen here folks . Sorry ! ) .
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Groucho d'North on Aug 25, 2016 at 9:53 am
I imagine that Prince Justine will be attending, at taxpayer expense, to get some photo time with the Royals as well. Perhaps he will bring Daddy's fringed leather coat for the classic canoe paddling shot too. And as Pro Science Greenie pointed out, much allegedly damaging carbon will be spewed into the atmosphere for this parade of egos.
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ProScience Greenie on Aug 24, 2016 at 12:18 pm
That is one big carbon footprint but no doubt that the Royals, when getting back home, will drive less and turn the palace thermostats down to make up for it. Hopefully all involved will do the same. I sure will as it is a small price to pay for being blessed with a visit by our future King and Queen.
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Mr M on Aug 23, 2016 at 9:36 am
I wish I could go on a holiday and the Province or Territory I would be visiting would pick up the cost. No wonder the interest in the Monarchy has waned. No sense putting money towards things like homelessness or food programs for those less fortunate. When I go on a holiday I pay for the bill. I think the Monarchy can pay for their own holiday.
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YukonRes on Aug 23, 2016 at 7:24 am
While it's always exciting to have celebs visiting, I can't help but think the money would be better spent elsewhere, like a donation to the Outreach van for instance? Or maybe to the Yukon Party's war chest?