Duke and Duchess lay wreath

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have laid a wreath at Canada’s National War Memorial at the start of their first official overseas tour.

Prince William and his wife Kate touched down in the Canadian capital Ottawa at 1400 local time (1900 BST) on a Canadian Air Force jet.

The Duchess changed during the flight and arrived wearing a navy lace dress by Canadian designer Erdem Moraliaoglu.

The couple will visit seven Canadian cities before heading to the US.

The Duke of Cambridge laid a wreath at the war memorial and his wife Kate placed a bouquet of flowers before speaking to veterans and members of the public who had gathered at the monument.

BBC correspondent Jane Hill said it was the couple’s own decision to start their visit by paying their respects at the war memorial. Prince William’s great-grandmother, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, had also paid her respects at the memorial during a 1954 visit, she said.

The couple will be formally welcomed and later attend a barbecue hosted by Canada’s governor general, David Johnston.

The duke and duchess will be staying at Government House – known as Rideau Hall – during their stay in Ottawa. Crowds were already gathering along the route to the residence before their plane had landed.

Canada is a member of the Commonwealth and Queen Elizabeth II is its head of state.

On 1 July, the Duke and Duchess will celebrate Canada’s national day. Thousands of people are expected to gather on Ottawa’s streets to glimpse the royal couple.

The pair will also visit Quebec, Prince Edward Island – where they are to participate in a dragon boat race – and Calgary.

In Calgary they will open the Calgary Stampede – an annual rodeo and festival dubbed the “Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth”.

Canada has created a new royal flag for the visit. It features three maple leaves – from Canada’s national tree – at its base.

The flag will be flying from the cockpit of the jet carrying the royal couple when they touch down on Thursday afternoon. It will also fly from their cars and buildings they are visiting or staying in.

The visit will be closely followed by the media, with nearly 1,400 journalists – including about 100 from Britain – accredited to cover the visit.

BBC Royal Correspondent Peter Hunt says Canada is a safe first visit for a royal spreading her new wings, while US residents continue to be fascinated by Britain’s royalty.

The cost of the visit to the Canadian government, not including security, is estimated to be 1.4 million Canadian dollars (£958,580).

A poll commissioned by the Toronto Star newspaper found that more than half the 18 to 34 year-olds questioned about the visit were indifferent about the trip.

But Governor General David Johnston said Canadians had great respect for their monarchy, which had evolved over some 400 years.

“I think we value enormously the constitutional monarchy and the very stable rule of law that it represents in a world where many people envy the systems of government in the UK, Canada and other parts of the Commonwealth,” he said.

Canadian secretary to the Queen Kevin MacLeod, who has co-ordinated the tour, said: “I think, given the dynamism of this couple, (they) continue to reaffirm the important role the Crown plays in this country.”

The Duke and Duchess will travel to the US state of California for two days from 8 July, attending a black-tie Bafta reception and dinner in Los Angeles on 9 July. William is Bafta’s president.

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