Royal blue: Kate steps off warship in another stunning dress as couple arrive in Quebec
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge joined sailors on a Canadian warship for a church service today.
The royal couple were included in prayers during the inter-denominational event held in their honour on the deck of HMCS Montreal.
William and Kate had spent the night on the frigate as it sailed along the St Lawrence River from Montreal to Quebec City - the next stop on their tour of the Commonwealth country.
The room was probably one of the smallest the couple have stayed in but space is at a premium on a fighting warship.
When they first boarded last night after a busy day in Montreal they joined the senior officer on his bridge and also met other members of the ship's company.
This morning they sat down to breakfast with officers in the mess and were probably treated to some of the best food the cooks had to offer.
Their visit was praised by Dennis Drainville, the Anglican Bishop of Quebec, one of a number of senior clergy who were part of the service.
He said: 'The significance (of today) for me and for many Anglicans is very simple. We have a long association with the monarchy.
'William will someday by King and because of that his opportunity to come here and be among people - Canadians - and learn about Canada is very important, we are diverse.'
He added: 'Her Majesty the Queen is one of the most faithful individuals, every year she gives in her message an indication of the Christian values and virtues that are so important to us. William being her grandson I'm sure will carry on that tradition.'
The service held was led by Brigadier-General Karl McLean, Chaplain General of the Canadian Forces, and it echoed across Quebec's Queen's wharf.When prayers were said for leading figures like the Queen and Prime Minister Stephen Harper, the Duke and Duchess were also mentioned by the senior cleric.
Kate looked stylish in an electric blue Jacquenta dress, by Erdem, the Canadian-born British designer who also designed the navy-blue lace dress that she wore on her arrival into Ottawa on Thursday.
Today's shift gown had a floral lace applique across the shoulders and sleeves and a split skirt.
She accessorised the outfit with beige patent platform stilettos and a matching beige mock-croc clutch bag.
During the service hymns included 'Eternal Father, Strong to Save' and 'Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer.'
The couple also sang along in French to the hymn 'Je Louerai L'Eternel,' (Praise, I will Praise You Lord).
The congregation were accompanied by a five-piece brass quintet, from the Band of the Royal 22nd Regiment, whom the Duchess congratulated at the close of the service telling them 'Really well played'.
After the service the royal couple were piped off the warship as the ships company stood along the edge of every deck and landing.
As they came down the gang-plank a voice called out, from amongst the several hundred who had gathered by the wharf's gates, 'We love you Kate'.
The sailors and their officers then removed their hats and gave three cheers for the couple as they greeted a line of dignitaries waiting on the wharfside.
Among them was Konrad Sioui, Grand Chief of the Council of the Huron-Wendat nation.
Wearing a colourful hat the First Nations leader gave the Duke a copy of a treaty signed between his people and the British in 1760.
He said: 'I welcomed the Duke and Duchess to Huron land. She wanted to find out about my hat and what it was made from - it's wild turkey and eagle feathers and is made by the women.
'It is the same hat worn in 1760 when the then grand chief made the treaty.'
As the couple made their way into town police were out in force in down town Quebec City.
More than 150 protesters, some wearing black and waving flags, demonstrated about two blocks from City Hall, where Prince William was due to make remarks.
A far larger crowd of supporters, chanting 'Will and Kate.' were allowed closer to City Hall and greeted the royal motorcade with loud cheers when it arrived.
The protesters chanted 'RRQ,' the initials of the anti-monarchist, separatist group, Reseau de Resistance du Quebecois, or Quebecker Resistance Network, which organized the protests in Montreal and Quebec City.
Police set up barriers to keep the protesters away from City Hall, but the demonstrators brought a pickup truck with audio equipment and speakers so their chants could be heard. They carried signs reading 'Pay your own way' and 'The monarchy, it's over.'
The visit touches a sensitive nerve among French-speaking separatists because Prince William and Kate later Sunday afternoon were to visit the Citadelle, a fortified residence at the foot of the Plains of Abraham, the site of the pivotal 1759 battle in which British forces defeated the French to seal the conquest of New France.
Vocal yet vastly outnumbered protesters failed to cause any disruption to the royal couple's events in Montreal on Saturday, other than aggravating some of the pair's supporters.
About 35 protesters, including members of the Quebecker Resistance Network, stood outside Sainte-Justine University Hospital Centre in Montreal. They were outnumbered about 10 to one by William and Kate supporters gathered outside the children's hospital where the newlyweds visited cancer patients and the hospital's neonatal care facility.
The demonstrations were a rare moment of criticism aimed at the young royals, who have for the most part been welcomed with open arms by Canadians eager to see the glamorous newlyweds.
After leaving the hospital, the royal couple headed to the Institut de Tourisme et D'Hotellerie du Quebec, where they were met again by a handful of protesters dominated by about 150 supporters.
Once inside, Kate and William donned aprons and took part in a cooking workshop at the facility, which is a government agency that conducts training and research in the hotel, tourism and food service industries.
Wearing white cooking jackets, the pair got into the pots and pans to whip up some authentic Quebec fare, including Charlevoix lamb and a lobster souffle. The couple also dined with Quebec Premier Jean Charest and his wife Michele.
A 2009 visit by Prince William's father, Prince Charles, to Montreal was disrupted by more than 200 separatist protesters. The protesters sat in the street, blocking the prince's way into a ceremony planned at an armory, and threw eggs at the soldiers who were accompanying him and his wife, the Duchess of Cornwall. The couple were forced to enter the building through a back door and missed an elaborate welcoming ceremony that had been planned.
In 1990, Canada Day celebrations were disrupted briefly by protesters from Quebec who booed and turned their back on Queen Elizabeth.
Protesters were angry that Canada still has ties to the monarchy. Queen Elizabeth II is still the country's figurative head of state and new Canadian citizens still pledge allegiance to the Queen during their swearing-in ceremony. Others said they were angry that taxpayer money is being used to pay for the royal tour.
However, support for the separatists among Quebeckers has been on the decline in recent years as the 80-percent French-speaking province has enjoyed plenty of autonomy even without quitting Canada.
'As far as I'm concerned they're welcome here anytime. These young people need a chance. If their ancestors messed up, they need a chance to be forgiven,' said John Harbour, 58, a French-Canadian master mariner, who was among dozens of onlookers hoping for a glimpse of the royal couple at the Quebec City waterfront.
The royal couple were to fly later Sunday to Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. They leave Canada for a three-day trip to California on July 8.
The royal couple were included in prayers during the inter-denominational event held in their honour on the deck of HMCS Montreal.
William and Kate had spent the night on the frigate as it sailed along the St Lawrence River from Montreal to Quebec City - the next stop on their tour of the Commonwealth country.
Disembark: On their arrival in Quebec City Prince William and his wife Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, disembark from Her Majesty's Canadian Ship Montreal, to the waiting crowds
The couple slept in the quarters of the warship's head officer Commander Real Brisson - something that is traditionally done when VIPs come aboard.The room was probably one of the smallest the couple have stayed in but space is at a premium on a fighting warship.
Crowds: Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge Catherine look on as they prepare to disembark
Stunning: Duchess of Cambridge Catherine's simple yet elegant dress was a hit with crowds in Quebec City
This morning they sat down to breakfast with officers in the mess and were probably treated to some of the best food the cooks had to offer.
All aboard: The Duchess of Cambridge smiles as she meets members of the band following a prayer service on board the HMCS Montreal in Quebec City
Their visit was praised by Dennis Drainville, the Anglican Bishop of Quebec, one of a number of senior clergy who were part of the service.
He said: 'The significance (of today) for me and for many Anglicans is very simple. We have a long association with the monarchy.
'William will someday by King and because of that his opportunity to come here and be among people - Canadians - and learn about Canada is very important, we are diverse.'
Prayers: Prince William and his wife Catherine took part in a memorial service on board the ship
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Stepping off: Duchess of Cambridge Catherine took to the nautical theme on the couple's ninth day of their trip
Prince William and Kate, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, take part in a prayer service on the HMCS Montreal in Quebec City
Kate looked stylish in an electric blue Jacquenta dress, by Erdem, the Canadian-born British designer who also designed the navy-blue lace dress that she wore on her arrival into Ottawa on Thursday.
Today's shift gown had a floral lace applique across the shoulders and sleeves and a split skirt.
She accessorised the outfit with beige patent platform stilettos and a matching beige mock-croc clutch bag.
Royal blue: The electric blue Jacquenta dress is by the Canadian-born British designer Erdem
The couple also sang along in French to the hymn 'Je Louerai L'Eternel,' (Praise, I will Praise You Lord).
The congregation were accompanied by a five-piece brass quintet, from the Band of the Royal 22nd Regiment, whom the Duchess congratulated at the close of the service telling them 'Really well played'.
Honoured: Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge talk to Konrad Sioui as they disembark HMCS Montreal
Hats off: Duchess of Cambridge talks to Konrad Sioui as she disembarks HMCS Montreal
After the service the royal couple were piped off the warship as the ships company stood along the edge of every deck and landing.
As they came down the gang-plank a voice called out, from amongst the several hundred who had gathered by the wharf's gates, 'We love you Kate'.
As they came down the gang-plank a voice called out, from amongst the several hundred who had gathered by the wharf's gates, 'We love you Kate'
Among them was Konrad Sioui, Grand Chief of the Council of the Huron-Wendat nation.
Wearing a colourful hat the First Nations leader gave the Duke a copy of a treaty signed between his people and the British in 1760.
He said: 'I welcomed the Duke and Duchess to Huron land. She wanted to find out about my hat and what it was made from - it's wild turkey and eagle feathers and is made by the women.
Grand Chief of the Huron Konrad Sioui said he enjoyed speaking to the couple
As the couple made their way into town police were out in force in down town Quebec City.
More than 150 protesters, some wearing black and waving flags, demonstrated about two blocks from City Hall, where Prince William was due to make remarks.
A far larger crowd of supporters, chanting 'Will and Kate.' were allowed closer to City Hall and greeted the royal motorcade with loud cheers when it arrived.
The protesters chanted 'RRQ,' the initials of the anti-monarchist, separatist group, Reseau de Resistance du Quebecois, or Quebecker Resistance Network, which organized the protests in Montreal and Quebec City.
Prince William and Catherine the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, greet youths as they tour la Maison Dauphine , a centre which helps homeless youths
The visit touches a sensitive nerve among French-speaking separatists because Prince William and Kate later Sunday afternoon were to visit the Citadelle, a fortified residence at the foot of the Plains of Abraham, the site of the pivotal 1759 battle in which British forces defeated the French to seal the conquest of New France.
Vocal yet vastly outnumbered protesters failed to cause any disruption to the royal couple's events in Montreal on Saturday, other than aggravating some of the pair's supporters.
About 35 protesters, including members of the Quebecker Resistance Network, stood outside Sainte-Justine University Hospital Centre in Montreal. They were outnumbered about 10 to one by William and Kate supporters gathered outside the children's hospital where the newlyweds visited cancer patients and the hospital's neonatal care facility.
Demonstration: Kate and William were welcomed by separatist protesters in Montreal objecting to the cost of the Royal tour
The protesters were drumming and booing as the royal couple's motorcade pulled up to the hospital. William was whisked into the hospital as Kate stepped out of the car and smiled at the crowd before going in.The demonstrations were a rare moment of criticism aimed at the young royals, who have for the most part been welcomed with open arms by Canadians eager to see the glamorous newlyweds.
Relaxed: Despite the protests the couple appeared relaxed on their tour
Once inside, Kate and William donned aprons and took part in a cooking workshop at the facility, which is a government agency that conducts training and research in the hotel, tourism and food service industries.
Wearing white cooking jackets, the pair got into the pots and pans to whip up some authentic Quebec fare, including Charlevoix lamb and a lobster souffle. The couple also dined with Quebec Premier Jean Charest and his wife Michele.
A 2009 visit by Prince William's father, Prince Charles, to Montreal was disrupted by more than 200 separatist protesters. The protesters sat in the street, blocking the prince's way into a ceremony planned at an armory, and threw eggs at the soldiers who were accompanying him and his wife, the Duchess of Cornwall. The couple were forced to enter the building through a back door and missed an elaborate welcoming ceremony that had been planned.
In 1990, Canada Day celebrations were disrupted briefly by protesters from Quebec who booed and turned their back on Queen Elizabeth.
Protesters were angry that Canada still has ties to the monarchy. Queen Elizabeth II is still the country's figurative head of state and new Canadian citizens still pledge allegiance to the Queen during their swearing-in ceremony. Others said they were angry that taxpayer money is being used to pay for the royal tour.
However, support for the separatists among Quebeckers has been on the decline in recent years as the 80-percent French-speaking province has enjoyed plenty of autonomy even without quitting Canada.
'As far as I'm concerned they're welcome here anytime. These young people need a chance. If their ancestors messed up, they need a chance to be forgiven,' said John Harbour, 58, a French-Canadian master mariner, who was among dozens of onlookers hoping for a glimpse of the royal couple at the Quebec City waterfront.
The royal couple were to fly later Sunday to Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. They leave Canada for a three-day trip to California on July 8.
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