Frequently Asked Questions

Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will tour Canada from June 30 to July 8, 2011.

• Which provinces and communities will The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visit?
• What activities will The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attend?
• Will there be opportunities for the public to see The Duke and Duchess?
• How is the itinerary developed?  Who is responsible for it?
• What is the theme of the 2011 Royal Tour?
• Are The Duke and Duchess attending any official receptions?
• Where are The Duke and Duchess staying on this tour?
• What will The Duke and Duchess do with the gifts they receive?
• When was the last official Royal Tour to Canada?
• What is the difference between an official and private tour?
• What is the protocol when meeting a member of the Royal Family?
• The Royal Couple will be here during Canada Day. Will they participate in any celebrations?
• How can I invite the Royal Couple to an event during their Royal Tour of Canada?
• How many times has The Duke of Cambridge toured Canada?
• Why does Canada have Royal Tours?
• Who pays for Royal Tours?
• What is the personal Canadian Flag of His Royal Highness The Duke of Cambridge?
• How much does the monarchy cost?

Which provinces and communities will The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visit?

Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will visit Canada from June 30 to July 8, 2011. They will make seven official stops in four provinces and one territory:

• the National Capital Region (Ottawa, Ontario, and Gatineau, Quebec) from June 30 to July 2;
• Montréal, Quebec, on July 2;
• Québec City, Quebec, on July 3;
• Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, from July 3 to July 4;
• Summerside, Prince Edward Island, on July 4;
• Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, from July 4 to July 6; and
• Calgary, Alberta, from July 6 to July 8.

What activities will The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attend?

The full 2011 Royal Tour itinerary is available here

Highlights include:

• the Canada Day Noon Show on Parliament Hill (July 1)
• the Freedom of the City Ceremony with the Royal 22e Régiment in Québec City (July 3)
• search and rescue demonstration in Summerside (July 4)
• event with Canadian Rangers in Blachford Lake, Northwest Territories (July 5)
• The Calgary Stampede Parade in Calgary (July 8)

Will there be opportunities for the public to see The Duke and Duchess?

Yes, there will be opportunities for the public to see the Royal Couple. Consult the list of public events.

How is the itinerary developed?  Who is responsible for it?

The itinerary was developed by the Government of Canada, in collaboration with provincial and territorial governments, and private organizations.

The Government of Canada has an ongoing planning process for royal tours. The Government receives requests for visits from members of the Royal Family and from the provinces or territories, cities, and private organizations. These requests are then reviewed in the context of key Canadian celebrations or commemorations and reviewed with the members of the Royal Family and the Government of Canada. Members of the Royal Family visit the provinces and territories on a rotational basis to ensure fair representation. The Department of Canadian Heritage and the Canadian Secretary to The Queen are responsible for the overall management of official royal tours.

What is the theme of the 2011 Royal Tour?

The theme of the 2011 Royal Tour is “Moving Forward Together.”

The planned events of the Royal Tour will focus on a unique combination of what we have accomplished together (the past), how we define ourselves through active service (the present), and why we will continue to strive to attain other goals and aspirations (the future). In much the same way as the Royal Couple reflect the generational continuity and vitality of the Canadian Crown, the various events of the tour will profile Canadians who:

• have helped build our country: seniors, veterans, and community leaders;
• serve to reinforce our shared values: volunteers, artists, and the military; and
• are now preparing for the many challenges and promises of the future: Canada’s youth.

The Royal Tour will be an exciting complement to celebrations of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee, which will take place across Canada throughout the Jubilee year in 2012.

Are The Duke and Duchess attending any official receptions? 

The Government of Canada is hosting a garden reception at Rideau Hall on June 30 and a formal reception in Calgary on July 7. The Government of Canada is responsible for the guest lists, which include Canadians who have made contributions to their neighbourhood, community, or country.

Receptions and other gatherings are important protocol functions and offering hospitality is an age-old custom that signals respect and courtesy.

Where are The Duke and Duchess staying on this tour?

For security purposes, details about the locations where the Royal Couple will stay cannot be released.

What will The Duke and Duchess do with the gifts they receive?

Although The Royal Couple does not expect gifts, some of the organizations they will visit may choose to offer them something to commemorate their visit. All gifts will be accepted with appreciation and thanks. Official gifts received are often put on display around their official residence for a period. They then form part of the Royal Collection. Canadians wanting to give a present for the couple should send it to the Governor General. 

When was the last official Royal Tour to Canada?

Her Majesty The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh toured Canada from June 28 to July 6, 2010. It was Her Majesty’s 22nd official visit as Queen of Canada.

The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall toured Canada from November 2 to 12, 2009. It was the 14th visit of The Prince of Wales in Canada.

For the complete list of royal tours in Canada, visit Royal Visits to Canada.

What is the difference between an official and private tour?

An official royal tour is when the Government of Canada has invited a member of the Royal Family to come to Canada. Costs are shared by the federal, provincial and territorial governments.

A working/private visit is the result of an invitation extended by organizations, associations or provinces/territories directly to members of the Royal Family. As a result, these organizations or associations assume responsibility for all aspects of organizing and carrying out these visits. The Government of Canada provides some assistance with customs clearance and security.

What is the protocol when meeting a member of the Royal Family?

Visits by the Royal Family are always special occasions, but individual engagements can range from the very formal to the informal. Please consult the guidelines for more information on protocol when meeting The Queen and members of the Royal Family.

The Royal Couple will be here during Canada Day. Will they participate in any celebrations?

Yes, the couple will take part in the Canada Day Noon Show on Parliament Hill in Ottawa. Further details are included in the itinerary.

How can I invite the Royal Couple to an event during their Royal Tour of Canada?

The itinerary for Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge is finalized. As a result, no further engagements are being considered at this time.

For future tours, however, you may send a request to your provincial or territorial protocol office or to Canadian Heritage.

How many times has The Duke of Cambridge toured Canada?

This is the Duke's third tour to Canada. Previous visits were with his family in 1991 and 1998.

This will be Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge's first visit to Canada and the first Tour for Their Royal Highnesses as a Royal Couple.

Why does Canada have Royal Tours?

Royal Tours demonstrate the enduring ties between the Royal Family and Canadians. Royal Tours also provide opportunities for Canadians to learn more about their history and their institutions. Such events and commemorations inspire a sense of pride and foster a greater understanding and appreciation of uniquely Canadian institutions such as the Crown and the values and symbols that unite us all.

Who pays for Royal Tours to Canada?

There are two types of Royal Tours: official tours and working or private visits.

The Government of Canada covers costs when it extends an official invitation. The provinces cover the costs of their own activities. As hosts, the provinces also share a portion of the travel and accommodation costs with the Government of Canada, based on pre-determined "cost-sharing agreements."

Invitations for working or private visits may be extended by groups such as regiments, sports organizations, etc. In these instances, the Government of Canada has no financial involvement.

What is the personal Canadian Flag of His Royal Highness The Duke of Cambridge?

The Duke of Cambridge's personal Canadian flag bears a blue roundel within a wreath of golden maple leaves for Canada. The centre features the badge commonly known as the Prince of Wales’ feathers used by the heir apparent to the reigning Monarch. Near the top of the flag is the traditional heraldic mark of an eldest male child, the three-point white label.

How much does the monarchy cost?

The Government of Canada does not contribute funding in support of the Royal Households in the United Kingdom.

Our system of government in Canada is a constitutional monarchy. The Government of Canada provides support for the Queen's representatives, the Governor General and our Lieutenant Governors in the provinces, and for Royal Tours from The Queen and the Royal Family.