CANADA BYE
William and Kate vow to return as 8-day tour ends
THE Duke and Duchess of Cambridge waved goodbye to Canada yesterday as their royal tour ended in smiles.
Prince William, 34, said he and wife Kate were “very lucky to have been able to introduce George and Charlotte to Canada” and they were taking away “happy memories”.
Before taking their children on a tour of Victoria Harbour – the tots’ third public appearance of the tour – the couple had a final day of engagements in the city.
At their first stop Kate chatted to beneficiaries of family support charity Cridge Centre.
Zola Auld, 20, who has Down’s syndrome, said: “Kate asked me what I like to do and I told her cooking.
“She asked me what and I said Italian like pizza and pasta and she said George loves that.” Kate and William also visited a mental health centre and boarded a tall ship on their final day.
Then a few hours before the family were set to fly off from Victoria Harbour on a float plane, the prince released a statement. It read: “Catherine and I are incredibly grateful to the people of Canada for the warmth and hospitality they have extended to our family over the last week.
“We feel very lucky to have been able to introduce George a nd Charlotte to Canada. We have created such happy memories on this visit.
“Canada is a country of optimism, generosity and unrivalled natural beauty. We will see you again soon.” The trip was paid for by Canadian taxpayers and although details have yet to be released it is expected to have cost at least £600,000.