Vancouver, British Columbia—The royals seem to have brought Britain’s notoriously bad weather with them to Canada.
Torrential rain and driving winds in Bella Bella on the east coast of British Columbia meant a last-minute change of schedule for day three of William and Kate’s tour of Canada, their eagerly anticipated trip to the Great Bear Rainforest. Plans for the couple to view the area in a float plane were abandoned because flying conditions were deemed too dangerous. Taking a leaf out of the Queen’s book they opted for clear umbrellas, at least meaning that they could be seen when they arrived at around midday local time to greet Bella Bella’s First Nation community.
“It wouldn’t be the rainforest without the rain,” William told one First Nation chief.
Despite the bad weather, the couple received yet another rapturous welcome from the small Heiltsuk First Nation community who made the couple honorary chiefs. Dressing for the wet weather, the Duchess opted for a sensible pair of jeans from High Street label Zara, a Holland and Holland jacket, and in acknowledgement of her hosts, earrings by Canadian designer Pippa Small. She also wore her Penelope Chilvers boots, last seen earlier this year on their tour of Bhutan.
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The Duke and Duchess were greeted with a welcoming dance—seen as a sign of good faith. At points the couple looked a little overwhelmed by the spectacle and William, perhaps suffering jet lag, was seen rubbing his eyes. Given the cold weather they were happy to be draped in blankets and ceremonial “dancing vests.”
Prince George and Princess Charlotte were also not forgotten and presents of a small black dancing vest and doll for the little royals were given to the Duke and Duchess to take back to Government House. The Duke, who’d dressed less sensibly for the wet weather in a pair of suede shoes, delivered a speech of thanks before leaving Bella Bella in which he praised the First Nation tribe for helping save one of the world’s most important rainforests.
The couple will attend a reception at Government House tonight where all eyes will once again be on Kate and the designer she chooses for her first—and only—evening engagement of the tour.
