Right royal welcome to Canada

NEW YORK: Thousands of people turned out on Saturday to greet Britain’s Prince William, his wife Kate and their children as they arrived in Canada for a week-long official visit.

The family flew into Victoria, the capital of British Columbia on Canada’s west coast, and were greeted at the airport by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

The couple, leaving Charlotte, 16 months and her brother George, 3, with their nanny, then made their way to the BC Legislature, where William addressed the crowds.

They were officially welcomed by Songhees First Nation aboriginal leaders, took in a 21-gun salute, laid a wreath at the cenotaph and spoke to war veterans.

William and Kate, both 34, visited Canada in 2011 soon after their wedding.

The couple have a programme of official appointments across the country, while their children will mostly remain in Victoria with their nanny. It is Charlotte’s first official trip abroad, and her arrival at the airport is only her third public appearance. George has previously accompanied his parents on a visit to Australia and New Zealand.

Both children, Charlotte wearing a white-flowered dress and carried in her mother’s arms, and George wearing shorts and a blue jersey and holding his father’s hand, appeared unfazed by the crowds. – ANA-dpa