cheap flights travel: Royals attend Canada Day events

Prince William: "We've been looking forward to this moment for a very long time"

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will take part in events to mark Canada Day on the second day of their first official overseas tour.

First they will attend a citizenship ceremony in Ottawa, presenting national flags to new Canadians.

The royal pair will then take part in the "Noon Show" celebrations, in which Canadians join together for a music and pageantry event in the capital.

They will visit seven cities on their nine-day visit to the country.

It is a national holiday in Canada and some 350,000 people are expected to join the "Noon Show" celebrations on Parliament Hill which mark the country's 144th birthday.

It will involve anthems, a flypast by military aircraft display team the Snowbirds, and a link-up with Canadian Forces in Kandahar, Southern Afghanistan.

During the event Prince William will make a short speech, followed by Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

The royal couple will also attend a music concert in the evening, before attending a private diplomatic reception where they will watch a firework finale marking the national day.

2011 itinerary highlights

30 June: Arrival in Ottawa.1 July: Canada Day celebrations on Parliament Hill in Ottawa2 July: Visit to a cookery school in Montreal3 July: Freedom of the city ceremony in Quebec City4 July: Prince William takes part in Sea King helicopter training session on Prince Edward Island5 July: Visit to Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories7 July: Arrival in Calgary8 July: Attend Calgary Stampede. Leave for USHighlights of the royal tour of Canada More from Peter Hunt

Canada has created a new royal flag for the visit, which features three maple leaves, from Canada's national tree, at its base.

The flag flew from the cockpit of the jet carrying the royal couple when it touched down from the UK on Thursday afternoon local time. 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.

The Duchess of Cambridge has reportedly packed up to 40 different outfits for the tour.

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.

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. Prince William is Bafta's president.

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.

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