Kate of Green Gables: Duchess of Cambridge's joy as she steps back in time to home of her favourite novel

-Prince William prepares to show off his piloting skills by landing helicopter on water in front of crowds


By Daily Mail Reporter


Scroll down to see video of the visit


Visit: William and Kate arrive at Prince Edward Island watched by a number of fans who had dressed up in period costume for the occasion


The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrived for an official welcoming ceremony at Prince Edward Island today - the setting for the novel Anne of Green Gables.

They arrived in a horse-drawn coach to the delight of thousands more fans who waited patiently for hours for a chance of a glance of the newly-weds.

Kate was seen wearing a cream pencil dress by Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen - who designed her wedding dress. She teamed the outfit with navy blue heels for a visit close to her heart - Anne of Green Gables is one of her favourite books.

As the carriage passed the crowds, a sea of camera phones were held up and calls of 'William and Kate' rang out.


Lady in white: Kate wore a cricket style outfit for the occasion which she teamed with navy shoes. The Royal couple were met by hundreds of cheering fans


Schoolchildren had covered the crash barriers lining the route with posters welcoming the couple and were held up by their parents to get a better view.

Mary Fleming, a retired retail worker in her 60s from New Brunswick, slept overnight beside a crash barrier to be sure of seeing the couple.

She said: 'I came down with my two daughters and we had dinner last night and just stayed here. We just love both of them, they're very charismatic and wonderful members of the Royal Family.

'Kate is doing tremendously well, she has such ease and grace as if she was born to royalty.'

When the royal couple arrived at an area called Peake's Quay, which overlooks a harbour, they went on a brief walkabout before watching a few minutes of a musical performance about Canada by a group of young actors.

The island was named after Prince Edward, Duke of Kent and Strathearn who died in 1820 at the age of 52.

He was Queen Victoria’s father and the great-great-great- great-great-great grandfather of Prince William.

Prince William was also preparing to put his military helicopter training to the test with his first attempt at a water landing before crowds later today.

The couple moved on to Prince Edward Island after charming hundreds of fans yesterday in predominantly French-speaking Quebec despite the presence of anti-monarchy protesters nearby.

Prince William, a Royal Air Force rescue helicopter pilot, requested the training exercise at Prince Edward Island as part of his visit.

Canada is the only country that trains its Sea King helicopter pilots to do a controlled landing on water should there be an emergency.

The Sea King, which William flies back in the U.K, has the ability to land on water because of its amphibious hull.

The couple later will also take part in a dragon boat race at Prince Edward Island, with the two steering opposing teams.

The newlyweds on Monday were on the fifth of a nine-day trip to Canada, part of their first official overseas trip since their April 29 wedding.

They leave for a three-day trip to California on July 8.

On Sunday the couple thrilled hundreds of adoring fans in Quebec with an unscheduled walkabout in a city that was the site of the key British victory in the conquest of the French - a historical event not forgotten by French-speaking separatists protesting nearby.


Great excitement: Kate shakes hands and chats with well-wishers in the crowd outside Province House


Curtsey: An actor dressed in period costume meets the Prince outside Province House

The Quebec visit hit a nerve among French-speaking separatists. Prince William and Kate had a private lunch at the Citadelle, a fortified residence where the British flag was raised at the end of the pivotal 1759 Battle of Quebec, when British forces defeated the French to seal the conquest of New France.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, as they are officially known, encountered small but vocal protests for the second straight day during their visit to predominantly French-speaking Quebec, following protests in Montreal.

'What they've seen in Quebec, in Montreal the last two days is, for them, just part of the rich fabric of Canada and in no way detracts from how much they respect and admire the country,' said the couple's spokesman, Miguel Head.

'They've very much fallen in love with the country.'

The jeers contrasted with the start of the royal couple's Canadian trip in the largely English-speaking capital, Ottawa, where they were cheered by tens of thousands of people on Friday's Canada Day holiday.

Quebec separatists are angry that Canada still has ties to the monarchy. Queen Elizabeth II is still the country's head of state.

Police were out in force in downtown Quebec City. About 200 protesters, some wearing black and waving flags, demonstrated about two blocks from City Hall, where Prince William, a Royal Air Force helicopter pilot, attended a ceremony to honour and inspect the Royal 22e Regiment, the most famous French-speaking unit in the Canadian military.

A larger crowd of several hundred supporters, chanting 'Will and Kate' were allowed closer to City Hall and greeted the royal motorcade with loud cheers when it arrived.

After a military band played the first six bars of 'God Save the Queen,' Prince William made brief remarks entirely in French.

'You, the Quebecois et Quebecoise, have such vitality and a remarkable pride. We are simply delighted to be here,' he said.

Undeterred by the nearby protesters, Prince William and Kate charmed the Quebeckers with an unexpected walkabout.


Welcoming: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrive at Province house in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, escorted by Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers


Mounted guard: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were driven through the streets in a horse-drawn landau with Prince Edward Island Premier Robert Ghiz and his wife Kate Ellis


Mobbed: Prince William proves a big hit with Canadians as he meets fans


The royal couple went to the barricade, chatting and shaking hands with enthusiastic supporters in the square around City Hall before leaving by motorcade.

Support for the separatists among Quebeckers has been on the decline in recent years as the 80 per cent French-speaking province has enjoyed plenty of autonomy even without quitting Canada.


Waving the flag: Schoolchildren were among thousands of fans who waited for a chance of a glimpse of the Royal couple




source:dailymail