Duke and Duchess of Cambridge return to the UK after successful tour of Canada and visit to California

Prince William and Kate arrived back in the UK on Monday morning after an immensely successful royal tour of Canada and royal visit to California USA.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge had an extremely busy schedule for the majority of their 11 day trip only taking a couple for days out for themselves to enjoy privately.

The Royal couple have been superb ambassadors for the United Kingdom promoting British businesses, arts and charities. It has been incredible how the Canadians and Americans have welcomed William and Kate into their hearts and minds.

Now the William and Kate will return to quiet and much more private life the couple lead in Anglesey where Prince William will resume his role as an RAF Search and Rescue pilot. It has been an exceptionally busy year for them, ever since the Royal Wedding was announced towards the end of last year.

William and Kate's last couple of days in Canada

The Royal Wedding seems a long way off now and for the last leg of the 9 day Royal Tour of Canada, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrived at Calgary in the Province of Alberta.

On arrival Prince William and Kate were greeted by local dignitaries but the most touching moment was when Diamond Marshall, a six year old girl who has advanced cancer ran up to Kate and wrapped her arms around the Duchess.

It was a magical moment for both of them and no doubt for countless other people watching.

The Royal couple were presented with cowboy boots and 10 gallon hats which they wore and for most of their visit to Calgary were dressed much more casually in jeans and chequered shirts.

In Prince William's last speech whilst in Canada he told guests "In 1939, my great-grandmother, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, said of her first tour of Canada with her husband, King George VI, 'Canada made us'. Catherine and I now know very well what she meant....

Canada has far surpassed all that we were promised. Our promise to Canada is that we shall return." Prince William also once again paid tribute to Canada's military and its role in Afghanistan.

William and Kate's trip to Calgary coincided with the Calgary Stampede, an annual rodeo, parade, exhibition and festival which is known as 'The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth' and which attracts over one million visitors per year. 

After launching the Calgary Stampede, the couple visited Calgary Zoo for a reception hosted by Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach who highlighed some of the research, particularly aimed at protecting the environment, taking place in the province.

Then on Friday afternoon the royal couple flew to California in the USA for a their three day visit.

Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrive at Yellowknife in Northwest Territories

On the sixth day of their Royal Tour of Canada Prince William and Kate arrived in Yellowknife after an exciting fun-packed day on Prince Edward Island yesterday. Yellowknife is the capital and largest city of the Northwest Territories and it will be the furthest north that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will travel on the Canadian Royal Tour.

William and Kate's schedule is not as packed today and after their official duties they will be taking a break for themselves before travelling to Calgary for a rodeo before then heading to LA in California.

The trip to Prince Edward Island yesterday saw Prince William whose day job is working as an RAF Search and Rescue pilot, land an adapted helicopter on water in an operation referred to as 'waterbirding'. For once Kate was on the other side of the camera whilst she filmed William successfully land the helicopter several times.

Another highlight of the day on Prince Edward Island saw Prince William and Kate go head to head in a Dragon Boat race on the lake in an area called Peake's Quay. It had been originally thought that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge would not actually be rowing but steering the boats.

They impressed everybody and true to form got right into the thick of it and took part as rowers. William's boat won, but not by a lot. Very exciting to watch!

Prince William and Kate arrive at Prince Edward Island in Canada

The Royal Couple have arrived on Prince Edward Island on the next stage of their Royal tour to Canada. William and Kate are due to take part in a dragon boat race later on today. 

Yesterday The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited Maison Dauphine a centre for street children and teenagers. Whilst there they enjoyed watching and joining in with some impressive magic tricks performed by some of the kids and William also enjoyed a game of table football.

Afterwards William and Kate attended the Freedom Of The City ceremony where William gave a speech entirely in French which was out of respect to the fact that Quebec is firmly in Canada's French heartland.

Security was increased as there were still some protests from Royal Separatists but they were minor in comparison to the crowd numbers who turned out in support of the Royals. 

Prince William and Kate visit Quebec City

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrived in Quebec City yesterday for the fourth day of their Royal tour of Canada.

The Royal couple sailed from Montreal to Quebec City along the St. Lawrence river on HMCS Montreal. William and Kate joined the sailors from the ship for a church service today where their visit was praised by the Anglican Bishop of Quebec.

Next on the tour for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are Charlottetown and Summerside, Prince Edward Island.

Prince William and Kate's first day in Canada at the start of their Royal Tour

It's was a busy first day in Ottawa for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at the start of their Royal Tour of Canada. The Royal couple were well received and made a great impression.

This video of William and Kate's first day covers some of the highlights.

Prince William and Kate are on their way to Canada!

Prince William and Kate boarded a Canadian Forces plane earlier today at Heathrow Airport and are now on their way to Ottawa for the start of their 9 day Canadian tour. After which they will visit California in the USA.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are 'touring' Canada as oppose to 'visiting' the USA because Canada is part of the Commonwealth, in other words it is because Queen Elizabeth II is the head of state for Canada.

William and Kate will travel to Quebec, Prince Edward Island, The Northwest Territories and Alberta before leaving for the US on the 8th July.

When this Royal tour was first agreed last year, Prince William was not married and since the Royal Wedding on 29th April 2011 much has changed. The main change of course is the raised level of international interest in the Royal couple. To put it into perspective, when The Queen visited Canada in the Summer of 2010 there were just 20 international journalists accredited to cover the tour. More than 1,300 journalists have been accredited to cover this Royal tour of Canada by The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. 

More to follow once the Royal couple have arrived in Canada.