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Monday, July 4, 2011

Boat racing, flying, eating on today's royal itinerary

CHARLOTTETOWN, Prince Edward Island — Prince William was preparing to put his military helicopter training to the test Monday with his first attempt at a water landing before crowds in Canada, where he and his wife, Kate, have been on their first official overseas trip since their wedding.
The couple moved on to Prince Edward Island after charming hundreds of fans Sunday 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.

Later today, William, an RAF helicopter pilot will get the chance to show off his experience as a search and rescue pilot, by flying a CH124 Sea King helicopter.

William will climb aboard the chopper for a demonstration known as "waterbirding," a training manoeuvre over water that's designed to simulate an emergency landing.

Notably absent from the itinerary is a visit to Anne of Green Gables house. For weeks, rumours have swirled that the P.E.I. icon would play a big part in the tour, since it's been said that Kate loves the classic tale of the red-haired orphan. But the tour's co-ordinator, Kevin MacLeod, says there's been no official confirmation of that.

However, two actors from "Anne of Green Gables -- The Musical" are slated to make an appearance at some point during the tour.

P.E.I.'s cuisine will also be showcased during the visit, as the duke and duchess will be invited to sample some of the province's most famous exports, including new potato chowder, oysters and steamed mussels.

MacLeod, who also serves as the Canadian secretary to the Queen, says the tour's events were specially selected so that the newlyweds can get to know Canada by being a part of it instead of acting merely as observers.

"They are not here just visiting," he told the Canadian Press. "They're here to participate, to be amongst us and to do what we do."

Tonight, the royal couple flies to Yellowknife for more hands-on activities including taking part in a game of street hockey with youth. On Thursday, they go to Calgary, the final stop on their nine-day tour of Canada. There, they will officially launch the Calgary Stampede parade.

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