Kate and William to take entourage of just SEVEN on tour to Canada and the U.S

By Daily Mail Reporter


-The Duke and Duchess' entourage will include Kate's hairdresser, James Pryce, but no 'dresser'
-William will give a number of speeches and addresses but his wife will not be speaking publicly
-The couple will be in Canada from June 30 to July 8 and will then spend two days in Los Angeles

Scroll down for the Royal Tour itinerary...

On duty: The Duke and Duchess will take just seven members of the royal household with them when they visit Canada and the US at the end of the month


The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will have an entourage of just seven people for their tour of Canada and the US, St James's Palace said today.

Seven may seem like quite a lot of support for two people. But the entourage includes two press secretaries and a couple of private secretaries to ensure that royal protocol is followed.


Catherine - who is fast becoming a fashion icon - has broken with tradition by asking not asked to be accompanied by a dresser.

But she will be taking her hairdresser, James Pryce, to help style her look for the many engagements on her itinerary.

William and Catherine will fly out to North America with the small group of Royal Household staff to help them during the 11-day trip, which begins at the end of the month.

Royal officials said they have tried to keep the entourage as small as possible while still providing enough support for the Duchess, who will be making her first official overseas trip as a member of the monarchy.


Sunshine state: The Royal couple's Canadian tour will be followed by a three day trip to California this July


Outlining the reason for the US trip, Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, their private secretary said: 'The visit will support the interests of the United Kingdom through the prism of the royal couple's interests.

'The Unites States' West Coast is a tremendously important market for British business.

'The Duke and Duchess will support UK technology investment as well as the creative industries through Bafta.

'They will highlight the bond between the US and UK's armed forces, particularly focusing now on the next step of re-integration of service men and women into civilian life once they have finished active service.'

The highlight of the US leg of the visit, details of which were released today, will be a glitzy Bafta black-tie reception where the Duke and Duchess will promote British creative talent from the worlds of film, television and video games.

From the royal couple's household will be Mr Lowther-Pinkerton, whose 10-year-old son, William, was one of the pageboys at the April wedding, Chris Keeley, assistant private secretary, Miguel Head, press secretary, and the Prince of Wales's press secretary, Patrick Harrison.


Sir David Manning, who is an adviser and aide to William and Kate, will be part of the team and a secretary will take up the final place.

But the Duchess will not have a lady-in-waiting, an official female companion, so the private secretaries are likely to take on some of the duties of this role such as collecting gifts or flowers.

Catherine will also be assisted by staff from the official buildings where she is staying.

Mr Lowther-Pinkerton said: 'The entourage is designed, whoever it is, according to requirements of the tour and we've just followed that principle really.

'In that, actually having done a pretty careful analysis, we've kept it as tight as we possibly can.

'But we've been minded of the fact (this is) the Duchess's first tour and she needs to be properly supported so she doesn't have to worry about stuff other than core matters.'

During the visit to North America, William will give a number of speeches and addresses but his wife will not be speaking publicly.

Mr Lowther-Pinkerton stressed the trip would be a double act, with the Duke and Duchess taking part in engagements together.

He said the Duchess had made 'incredible leaps and bounds' but 'there is a time and a place to introduce yourself to the world of speaking'.

Canadian officials are already gearing up for the visit.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper said: 'Canadians hold the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in very high esteem and look forward to welcoming them as they embark on their first official Royal Tour as newlyweds.'

He told The Calgary Herald: 'The couple’s decision to visit Canada first is a testament to our country’s close relationship with the Crown and the Royal Family, and an opportunity for all Canadians to take pride in our traditions, history, and institutions.'





source:dailymail