Canada catches Charlotte fever!
Never mind Kate’s style wars with the PM’s super-glamorous wife...
THEY are two of the most glamorous couples on the diplomatic circuit. But when the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visit Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife Sophie on the Royal tour next week, there will only be one star of the show.
Canada is braced for Charlotte fever, as the Cambridges’ one-year-old daughter steps out on her first foreign trip.
No effort has been spared to accommodate the little Princess, with a specially created nursery installed in Canada’s Government House, complete with toys and soft playroom.
The Canadian media are already describing her as a ‘superstar’ ahead of the Royals’ arrival on Saturday on a Canadian air force jet.
And the public are waiting with baited breath to greet Charlotte, who turned one in May and has only been seen twice in public since her birth – at her christening and Trooping the Colour in June.
William and Kate will squeeze 32 engagements into their eight-day visit, but there will also be occasions for Charlotte and her three-year-old brother Prince George to enjoy.
They will meet the Trudeaus’ three children, Xavier, eight, Ella-Grace, seven, and two-year-old Hadrien and are expected to attend a children’s party in Victoria.
The Royals and their 12-strong entourage will stay at Government House, a 13-bedroom stately home in Victoria, official residence of the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia.
It is reported that the Trudeaus have added their own touches to ensure the youngsters feel at home.
Special meal plans have been submitted to the in-house chef – including a recipe for Prince George’s favourite, spaghetti bolognese.
William and Kate are privately paying for their nanny Maria Barrallo to accompany them, as well as Kate’s hairdresser Amanda Cook Tucker, who charges £300 a day.
Kate will take around 50 outfits on the trip, but the Royal wardrobe is likely to be more casual than on previous tours.
There may well be a hint of fashion competition however, as Mrs Trudeau, a former TV presenter, dresses head-to-toe in Canadian couture to boost the industry.
The Duchess of Cambridge has upped the stakes by commissioning custom-made frocks and coat dresses from Canadian-based designers Erdem and Bojana Sentaler Nikolic.
A Palace source said: ‘There will be no tiaras or show-stopping jewels. It’s comfortable day dresses and some belted coats for cooler days.’ The visit will no doubt revive memories of the tour by Charles and Diana to Canada in 1983, when they were the guests of Mr Trudeau’s father, Pierre, the then Canadian Prime Minister.
That trip was credited with creating fresh interest in the Monarchy among Canadians and diminishing support for the republican movement.