William and Kate see off Quebec protesters
By politics.co.uk staff
Anti-monarchist separatists failed in their bid to disrupt William and Kate's visit to separatist Quebec yesterday.
The royal couple, on what had been billed as the riskiest part of their trip to Canada, were faced with around 200 demonstrators as they visited Quebec City.
Protesters had ruined the Queen's visit there in 1964. She has never returned since.
Yesterday Canadians were treated to an impromptu walkabout by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, however. They were greeted by hundreds of well-wishers who welcomed the Prince's brief address to the crowd in French.
"Thank you for your patience with my accent, and I hope that we will have the chance to get to know each other over the years to come," the Reuters news agency quoted him as saying.
The pair subsequently attended a ceremony marking the achievements of a French-speaking Canadian military force, the 'Vandoos', which has served in Afghanistan. They also visited a youth shelter in Quebec City.
The politically sensitive nature of their trip was marked by the fact the ceremony took place in the Fort de Levi – the last British fort used to guard against an American invasion.
The Duke and Duchess' bid to revive interest in the royal family appears to have succeeded. The Montreal Gazette quoted one fan, Nicole Gagnon, as praising Prince William's "firm" handshake.
She added: "I'm never washing my hand."
Monday saw the royal couple arrive on Prince Edward Island, where Prince William played table football and the Duchess said she hoped to start a family soon.
