SUPPORT OUR JOURNALISM: Please consider donating to keep our website running and free for all - thank you!

Prince & Princess of Wales

Last full day for Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on #RoyalVisitCanada

Around noon on 30 September, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge landed their war canoe in Haida Gwaii, a north coast island archipelago to start off their last full day of their tour around British Columbia and the Yukon.

After a flight in, the Duke and Duchess rode the replica Haida war canoe with 12 members of the Skidegate Saints basketball team who helped paddle the boat, although both Prince William and Kate pitched in.

Once ashore, the were met by Haida chiefs, elders and others from the community before walking to the Haida Heritage Centre and Museum.

While visiting the centre, the Duke of Cambridge gave a short speech starting off with: ” Women of High Esteem, Chiefs, Friends,”

The prince was even brave enough to try his luck in the native language, even after his “rusty” french at the start of the tour.

“Aan t’alang isis ska-wada-gee id ga dalang kil laa, haaw” he continued, which translates to ‘Thank you very much for having us here.’

“Thank you very much for welcoming us into your Longhouse and for sharing your traditions with us.

“The historic link between the Crown and the First Nations people is strong, and something that I hold dear to my heart.

“And so it is an honour for me to be here with you, to see that your traditions remain strong.

“We are very much looking forward to spending today with you.

“Thank you.”

Unlike most royal tours, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have been making more political stops, with a large number dealing with First Nations groups who are fighting for their rights after the current Canadian Prime Minster, Justin Trudeau, has failed to follow through with his campaign promises.

The government of Canada has apologised in the past for the wrong doings of its indigenous people, but many would like to see a formal apology from the Crown as Canada was still a colony at the time most issues arose.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s day were finished off with the official opening of the Queen Charlotte hospital and a fishing trip with some of the youth of the community where the Duke and Duchess pulled up some crab traps and caught one salmon.

Saturday will be their last day in British Columbia with a full schedule in Victoria before heading back to the U.K.