Royal Visit less than 24 hours away
Posted Jun 29, 2011 02:57:07 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The countdown is on. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge start their Canadian tour with their arrival in Ottawa Thursday afternoon.
The royal couple will be greeted at the Ottawa airport by Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his wife Laureen. Their first stop wil be at the National War Memorial where Prince William will lay a wreath in honour soldiers who have fallen in combat.
Following the short ceremony they will head to Rideau Hall for the official welcoming by Governor General David Johnston.
Aside from the pomp and ceremony that traditionally comes with a royal tour, Joe Little of Majesty Magazine tells 1310News, Will and Kate will be blazing their own trail.
“We know they are going to travel with a very small team with them which is quite different to many previous royal tours so they are out to do their own thing in their own ways,” he said.
The couple would normally travel with a staff of 14 aides, but this time around, to show they do have an eye on the bottom line, they only have seven for their trip to Canada and the United States.
Meanwhile crews are wrapping up preparations for the royal tour. The stage is all set on Parliament Hill, the barricades are up along Ottawa streets and the kitchen is busy at Rideau Hall.
Will and Kate will be staying there while they’re in our city and the chefs will be working hard to make sure their tastebuds are satisfied.
The menu includes goat cheese from British Columbia, yak from Alberta, fruit wine from Saskatchewan, fish from the great lakes, and sea urchin from the north.
19 aspiring young chefs are helping out with the team at Rideau Hall after Will and Kate requested a focus on youth during their visit.
There will also be a number of road closures for the Royal Visit. Tomorrow between 12:30pm and 3:30pm you won’t be allowed to access the following roads:
– Wellington Street between Bank Street and Sussex Drive
– Elgin Street between Wellington Street and Laurier Avenue
– Queen Street between Metcalfe Street and Elgin Street
There are also no stopping zones througout the downtown.
For a map of the road closures on Canada day, click here.
