On the 30th September 2016, William and Kate visited Haida Gwaii in Canada. The visit took place on day seven of the couple’s second Royal Visit to the country.
Haida Gwaii is an is an archipelago off the North Coast of British Columbia and home of the Haida Nation. In a press release ahead of the tour, the Palace described Haida Gwaii as “a remote, but very special place.”
The couple arrived at Skidegate on Graham Island (the largest island in the Haida Gwaii Archipelago) via helicopter. From here, they boarded a canoe and paddled around the shore to the Haida Heritage Centre and Museum.
From the Telegraph:
Their fibreglass canoe was a replica of the traditional red cedar vessels used by the Haida Nation for centuries.
Accompanied by 10 warrior paddlers, three community leaders and two Scotland Yard bodyguards, William and Kate … paddled from a jetty around to a beach and heritage centre.
After exiting the canoe, the couple received a traditional welcome from 13 Haida chiefs.
Hundreds of locals lined the shore to welcome the royal visitors. A number of Haida Nation members took advantage of the additional media attention to protest the LNG Petronas project, which was conditionally approved by the government a few days before the royal visit:
Part of Friday’s events included the arrival of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on a Haida canoe at the community’s cultural centre. As a form of silent protest, all 10 of the paddlers in the canoe with the couple wore blue “No LNG” shirts.
“We waited to take the opportunity to show our perspective on development on the coast with frack gas and our opposition to it,” said Haida member and paddler Jason Alsop.
“It was also a chance to do a respectful, silent protest.” Source: CBC.CA
Inside the centre, the couple listened to an address by the President of the Haida Nation.
Next, they watched a cultural performance from local children.
Prince William took to the stage to say a few words to their hosts, before touring displays showing traditional weaving, food and language. Carver Guujaaw showed the royal couple traditional Haida totem poles too.
The couple made their way over to the new Haida Gwaii Hospital and Health Centre.
Here, they met with some of the locals who’ve benefited from the new facility.
Now, mothers no longer need to leave Haida Gwaii to have children and families can be close to their loved ones as they receive care late in their lives.
The couple revealed a plaque at the hospital to officially mark completion.
The couple took to the water for their last engagement of the day.
They joined young people from the Skidegate Youth Centre for a spot of fishing.
The fishing expedition took place on the beautiful waters of the Hecate Strait.
The couple took the opportunity to learn more about the Youth Centre, which uses activities like fishing to engage local youth in safe and meaningful social, recreational and educational activities.
The programme focuses on confidence-building, physical activities and creativity while achieving social and life skills.
Kate’s outfit:
For most of the day, Kate wore Smythe’s Duchess blazer in green. The blazer is made from high-quality Italian wool. It features a single gold-tone button closure and front pockets.
The jacket features quite a distinctive back, with a cut-out section.
Of course, Smythe renamed the style to “Duchess” after Kate first wore the blue version during a visit to Canada in 2011:
Underneath the blazer, Kate wore a pussy-bow blouse from Somerset by Alice Temperley. This is Temperley London’s diffusion line that is exclusive to John Lewis. Kate chose the designer’s ‘Spot Pretty Blouse’.
Here’s how the John Lewis described the blouse on their website:
This chic blouse from Somerset by Alice Temperley proves that more is more when it comes to decorative design. In a lightweight and semi-sheer construction, this blouse has an all-over textured spot design, lace insert detailing around the bib and at the cuffs, pleating around the short placket and a flouncy bow around the neck.
The top retailed for £79 (around $101 USD at today’s rates.) Sadly, the company no longer sell the blouse.
Kate had a change of outfit for the fishing trip.
She chose a red sweater by Really Wild. It’s their Cashmere Mix Cable Crew. The ruby red sweater is crafted from merino wool. It features a cable knit pattern and a thick ribbed collar. The sweater is knitted in Scotland by a team who run a zero yarn waste production concept. It retails for £195 and can still be purchased today. (Correct at time of writing: August 2017).
Kate also wore a Troy London Wax Parka for part of the fishing trip.
The wax parka is made from 100% cotton that’s milled in England. The jacket’s made in England too. It features a sports-luxe lining for waterproof protection and a cinched waistline, which gives the jacket its feminine silhouette. At the time of writing (August 2017), the jacket costs £350 (around $448 USD).
Kate chose her Virgi Chocolate Suede boots from R. Soles. She wore them on the previous day of the tour, plus during a visit to Calgary in 2011. The boots cost £295 and can still be purchased today (as of August 2017).
Kate accessorised with her Kiki McDonough citrine drop earrings. They appear to be her go-to pair, she’s worn them regularly since 2011.
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