WEBVTT
1
00:00:03.200 --> 00:00:12.439
Calaruga Shark Media. The Royal Canadian air Force plane touched
2
00:00:12.439 --> 00:00:17.239
down at Ottawa's MacDonald Cartier International Airport on June thirtieth,
3
00:00:17.399 --> 00:00:21.839
twenty eleven. As the door opened and the Duke and
4
00:00:21.920 --> 00:00:24.679
Duchess of Cambridge emerged at the top of the stairs,
5
00:00:25.160 --> 00:00:28.839
a new chapter in their royal story began. This was
6
00:00:28.879 --> 00:00:33.799
no longer about wedding pageantry or honeymoon privacy. This was work,
7
00:00:34.399 --> 00:00:38.399
the business of representing the Queen, projecting British soft power,
8
00:00:38.719 --> 00:00:42.000
and establishing their own identity as working royals on the
9
00:00:42.000 --> 00:00:54.000
global stage. This is Crown and Controversy, Episode ten. New
10
00:00:54.039 --> 00:01:04.319
responsibilities for Catherine, barely two months into her role as
11
00:01:04.400 --> 00:01:08.840
Duchess of Cambridge, the pressure was immense. Every word, gesture
12
00:01:08.879 --> 00:01:12.879
and outfit would be scrutinized by the world's media. The
13
00:01:13.040 --> 00:01:16.480
nine day tour of Canada and California would involve more
14
00:01:16.519 --> 00:01:21.920
than forty separate engagements, multiple wardrobe changes daily, and endless
15
00:01:21.959 --> 00:01:26.159
receiving lines, all while maintaining the perfect balance of dignity
16
00:01:26.239 --> 00:01:32.079
and approachability that defines successful royal visits. This tour represented
17
00:01:32.159 --> 00:01:37.159
Catherine's true initiation into royal life. Noted one former Palace official.
18
00:01:37.840 --> 00:01:41.319
The wedding was a single day of carefully managed ceremonial
19
00:01:42.120 --> 00:01:45.200
This was the real work of monarchy, day after day
20
00:01:45.200 --> 00:01:50.319
of meeting people, navigating protocol, and representing the institution while
21
00:01:50.359 --> 00:01:56.719
never showing fatigue or frustration. William, having undertaken several royal tours,
22
00:01:56.719 --> 00:02:01.480
previously understood these demands, But even for him, this tour
23
00:02:01.599 --> 00:02:06.680
carried special significance. It was his first official overseas visit
24
00:02:06.840 --> 00:02:10.680
as a married man and heir to the throne. More importantly,
25
00:02:10.919 --> 00:02:13.759
it was his opportunity to show the world the working
26
00:02:13.800 --> 00:02:17.560
partnership he and Kate were establishing a vision of monarchy
27
00:02:17.840 --> 00:02:22.639
that balanced tradition with modernity, duty with genuine human connection.
28
00:02:24.280 --> 00:02:28.599
The Canadian government had planned an ambitious itinerary, spanning seven
29
00:02:28.639 --> 00:02:33.439
cities across five provinces and territories. From the moment they
30
00:02:33.479 --> 00:02:36.479
stepped off the plane in Ottawa, where they were greeted
31
00:02:36.479 --> 00:02:40.360
by Canada's Governor General and a nineteen gun salute, the
32
00:02:40.439 --> 00:02:44.319
young royals were met with enthusiasm that surprised even veteran
33
00:02:44.400 --> 00:02:49.240
royal watchers. What we witnessed in Canada was something extraordinary,
34
00:02:49.800 --> 00:02:54.599
recalled one senior diplomat who accompanied the tour. It wasn't
35
00:02:54.680 --> 00:02:58.759
just polite interest or traditional respect for the monarchy. There
36
00:02:58.840 --> 00:03:02.960
was genuine excitement about this new generation of royals. People
37
00:03:03.000 --> 00:03:05.840
connected with William and Catherine in a way that hadn't
38
00:03:05.879 --> 00:03:10.560
happened since the early days of Diana. This connection became
39
00:03:10.599 --> 00:03:14.199
evident during their first full day, July one, Canada Day,
40
00:03:14.680 --> 00:03:17.960
when they appeared on Parliament Hill in Ottawa before a
41
00:03:17.960 --> 00:03:22.120
crowd of more than five hundred thousand people. The sea
42
00:03:22.199 --> 00:03:25.520
of red and white Canadian flags was interspersed with Union
43
00:03:25.639 --> 00:03:30.520
jacks and homemade signs welcoming the royal couple. When William
44
00:03:30.560 --> 00:03:34.000
began his speech with a few sentences in French, acknowledging
45
00:03:34.080 --> 00:03:40.400
Canada's bilingual heritage, the crowd's response was rapturous. Kate, wearing
46
00:03:40.400 --> 00:03:43.400
a cream dress by London designer Rice, topped with a
47
00:03:43.439 --> 00:03:48.599
red maple leaf fascinator by Sylvia Fletcher, embodied diplomatic dressing,
48
00:03:49.080 --> 00:03:54.879
honoring Canadian symbolism while showcasing British fashion. This thoughtful approach
49
00:03:54.919 --> 00:03:57.960
to wardrobe would become a hallmark of her royal style,
50
00:03:58.400 --> 00:04:02.560
using clothing as a form of violent diplomacy and cultural respect.
51
00:04:03.759 --> 00:04:07.759
Throughout the Canadian tour, the couple's schedule balanced formal ceremonial
52
00:04:07.840 --> 00:04:12.479
duties with more relaxed, interactive engagements. They laid a wreath
53
00:04:12.560 --> 00:04:16.600
at the National War Memorial, attended a citizenship ceremony for
54
00:04:16.720 --> 00:04:21.120
New Canadians, and met with veterans and military families. But
55
00:04:21.199 --> 00:04:26.040
they also participated in activities that showcased their youth and accessibility.
56
00:04:27.199 --> 00:04:30.480
A dragon boat race on Prince Edward Island where they
57
00:04:30.519 --> 00:04:34.160
competed on opposing teams, a street hockey game in the
58
00:04:34.199 --> 00:04:37.600
Northwest Territories where William took a shot on goal, and
59
00:04:37.639 --> 00:04:42.839
a cooking workshop with culinary students in Quebec. What distinguished
60
00:04:42.839 --> 00:04:46.199
this tour from previous royal visits was the genuine interest
61
00:04:46.399 --> 00:04:49.959
William and Catherine showed in everyone they met, observed one
62
00:04:50.040 --> 00:04:53.800
Canadian official involved in the tour's planning. They weren't just
63
00:04:53.879 --> 00:04:58.600
going through the motions. They listened, asked questions, engaged in
64
00:04:58.600 --> 00:05:05.480
real conversations. People responded to that authenticity. Behind the scenes,
65
00:05:05.639 --> 00:05:09.680
the reality was more complex. Kate was undertaking a crash
66
00:05:09.720 --> 00:05:13.360
course in royal duty, guided by a small entourage that
67
00:05:13.439 --> 00:05:18.759
included Private Secretary Jamie Lowther Pinkerton, who had previously served
68
00:05:18.759 --> 00:05:23.920
William and former ambassador Sir David Manning, who provided diplomatic advice.
69
00:05:25.399 --> 00:05:29.319
Each evening included detailed briefings for the following day's engagements,
70
00:05:29.680 --> 00:05:35.160
reviewing names, issues, and protocol requirements. According to those traveling
71
00:05:35.199 --> 00:05:39.240
with the couple, Kate approached these briefings with characteristic diligence,
72
00:05:39.600 --> 00:05:44.959
taking notes and asking insightful questions. Despite the intense scrutiny
73
00:05:45.040 --> 00:05:49.360
and demanding schedule, she remained composed in public, exhibiting a
74
00:05:49.439 --> 00:05:54.000
natural grace that belied her newcomer status. What people didn't
75
00:05:54.040 --> 00:05:57.439
see was how hard the Duchess was working, revealed one
76
00:05:57.519 --> 00:06:01.959
staff member years later. She was studying briefing papers late
77
00:06:02.000 --> 00:06:05.399
into the night, practicing names of people she would meet,
78
00:06:05.879 --> 00:06:11.639
absorbing the history and cultural sensitivities of each location, all
79
00:06:11.680 --> 00:06:16.240
while managing multiple wardrobe changes and maintaining a perfect public face.
80
00:06:17.399 --> 00:06:21.279
For William, watching his wife navigate these challenges brought both
81
00:06:21.319 --> 00:06:25.759
pride and protective instincts. Having witnessed his mother's struggles with
82
00:06:25.800 --> 00:06:30.240
the relentless demands of royal duty, he remained acutely conscious
83
00:06:30.319 --> 00:06:35.480
of the pressures Kate faced. Throughout the tour, Observers noted
84
00:06:35.560 --> 00:06:39.120
small gestures of support a guiding hand on her back,
85
00:06:39.720 --> 00:06:44.439
a private smile of encouragement, a protective positioning between her
86
00:06:44.560 --> 00:06:57.360
and over eager crowds. By the time the couple reached
87
00:06:57.360 --> 00:06:59.959
Prince Edward Island on the fourth day of their tour,
88
00:07:00.519 --> 00:07:05.079
a pattern had emerged. Crowds were consistently larger than expected,
89
00:07:05.759 --> 00:07:10.240
media coverage was overwhelmingly positive, and the caate effect was
90
00:07:10.279 --> 00:07:14.000
in full force. Items of clothing she wore sold out
91
00:07:14.199 --> 00:07:18.639
within hours of being identified. The couple's easy rapport with
92
00:07:18.680 --> 00:07:22.079
each other and with the public created an impression of
93
00:07:22.120 --> 00:07:27.560
accessible royalty without sacrificing the dignity of the institution they represented.
94
00:07:28.800 --> 00:07:32.399
This balance was tested when they arrived in Quebec, where
95
00:07:32.439 --> 00:07:37.079
a small but vocal Republican protest awaited them. Unlike previous
96
00:07:37.160 --> 00:07:40.639
royal visits that had sometimes been met with significant anti
97
00:07:40.720 --> 00:07:44.879
monarchist sentiment in the French speaking province, the protests were minimal,
98
00:07:45.279 --> 00:07:49.560
a testament to the couple's popularity even in traditionally skeptical regions.
99
00:07:50.759 --> 00:07:53.720
Perhaps the most revealing moments came during their visit to
100
00:07:53.759 --> 00:07:57.879
the Northwest Territories, where they spent time with indigenous communities
101
00:07:57.920 --> 00:08:02.160
in remote settlements. Here, away from the formality of capital
102
00:08:02.199 --> 00:08:06.759
cities and official receptions. William and Kate demonstrated the approach
103
00:08:06.959 --> 00:08:10.480
that would come to define their royal work, genuine engagement
104
00:08:10.600 --> 00:08:14.800
with social issues, respect for diverse cultures, and a willingness
105
00:08:14.879 --> 00:08:20.360
to participate fully in local traditions. In Yellowknife, they joined
106
00:08:20.360 --> 00:08:24.759
a DNAE Nation drum dance, watched demonstrations of traditional sports,
107
00:08:25.120 --> 00:08:28.800
and heard from community leaders about the challenges facing northern
108
00:08:28.879 --> 00:08:35.919
and Indigenous communities. Kate's attentiveness during these discussions impressed observers,
109
00:08:35.960 --> 00:08:40.039
suggesting a depth of interest that went beyond ceremonial requirements
110
00:08:40.200 --> 00:08:45.279
to genuine concern. What struck me was how well they listened.
111
00:08:45.720 --> 00:08:49.559
Remembered one Indigenous leader who met with the couple. Many
112
00:08:49.600 --> 00:08:53.799
dignitaries come through, shake hands and move on. The Duke
113
00:08:53.840 --> 00:08:57.480
and Duchess asked thoughtful questions and seemed to truly care
114
00:08:57.600 --> 00:09:04.399
about understanding our perspective. That's rare. After seven days in Canada,
115
00:09:04.600 --> 00:09:07.440
where they had been guests of the Canadian government and
116
00:09:07.519 --> 00:09:11.039
representatives of the Queen in her role as Canada's monarch,
117
00:09:11.440 --> 00:09:14.039
the couple shifted to a different type of royal duty
118
00:09:14.399 --> 00:09:17.159
as they arrived in California for the final leg of
119
00:09:17.159 --> 00:09:22.360
their tour. Here they were representing Britain rather than the Crown,
120
00:09:23.000 --> 00:09:28.000
focusing on diplomatic, cultural, and charitable connections between the United
121
00:09:28.080 --> 00:09:32.120
Kingdom and the United States. There three days in California
122
00:09:32.399 --> 00:09:36.440
were carefully crafted to balance high profile events that showcased
123
00:09:36.440 --> 00:09:41.000
British interests with charitable engagements that reflected the couple's values.
124
00:09:41.840 --> 00:09:45.360
They attended a UK ti UK Trade and Investment event
125
00:09:45.639 --> 00:09:49.679
promoting British businesses in the United States, a charity polo
126
00:09:49.759 --> 00:09:53.240
match supporting American Friends of the Foundation of Prince William
127
00:09:53.320 --> 00:09:57.720
and Prince Harry, and a BAFTA British Academy of Film
128
00:09:57.720 --> 00:10:03.240
and Television Arts reception celebrating British talent in Hollywood. This
129
00:10:03.440 --> 00:10:07.200
BAFTA event at the Belasco Theater in Los Angeles became
130
00:10:07.240 --> 00:10:10.919
one of the tour's most photographed moments, as Hollywood royalty,
131
00:10:11.399 --> 00:10:15.759
including Nicole Kidman, Tom Hanks, and Jennifer Lopez lined up
132
00:10:15.799 --> 00:10:21.360
to meet actual royalty. Kate, wearing an Alexander McQueen Lilac gown,
133
00:10:21.759 --> 00:10:25.120
navigated the red carpet with the same composure she had
134
00:10:25.159 --> 00:10:29.440
shown throughout more traditional royal engagements, yet amid the glamour,
135
00:10:29.720 --> 00:10:35.080
the couple maintained their focus on substance. Their final engagement
136
00:10:35.120 --> 00:10:40.200
in California involved visiting Inner City Arts, an organization providing
137
00:10:40.360 --> 00:10:46.399
arts education to children from disadvantage communities in downtown Los Angeles. Here,
138
00:10:46.600 --> 00:10:50.279
away from the Hollywood spotlight, they participated in painting and
139
00:10:50.320 --> 00:10:55.000
ceramics workshops alongside children from some of the city's poorest neighborhoods.
140
00:10:56.159 --> 00:11:00.840
That final day really encapsulated what makes William and Cathy ineffective.
141
00:11:00.960 --> 00:11:05.840
As royal representatives noted one British diplomat, they can handle
142
00:11:05.879 --> 00:11:09.279
the glamour and ceremonial when required, but they're at their
143
00:11:09.320 --> 00:11:13.360
most authentic when connecting with people around causes they genuinely
144
00:11:13.440 --> 00:11:19.080
care about, particularly involving children, mental health, and providing opportunity
145
00:11:19.240 --> 00:11:24.559
to the disadvantaged. As the tour concluded on July tenth,
146
00:11:24.919 --> 00:11:27.519
the couple boarded a flight back to the United Kingdom,
147
00:11:27.879 --> 00:11:33.840
having completed what Royal correspondents unanimously declared a triumph. Over
148
00:11:34.000 --> 00:11:38.720
nine days, they had undertaken forty five separate engagements, met
149
00:11:38.799 --> 00:11:43.200
thousands of people, and generated global media coverage that portrayed
150
00:11:43.240 --> 00:11:46.960
both them and the monarchy in an overwhelmingly positive light.
151
00:11:48.639 --> 00:11:52.240
For Kate, the tour represented a critical milestone in her
152
00:11:52.279 --> 00:11:57.519
transition from private citizen to working royal. She had navigated
153
00:11:57.559 --> 00:12:01.799
the demanding schedule without a single mistep, demonstrating both the
154
00:12:01.879 --> 00:12:05.840
poise required for ceremonial occasions and the warmth needed for
155
00:12:05.879 --> 00:12:10.879
public connection. Pallas officials, who had watched nervously as she
156
00:12:10.919 --> 00:12:14.480
took on this first major test, expressed private relief and
157
00:12:14.559 --> 00:12:29.799
admiration at her performance. Upon their return to Britain, William
158
00:12:29.840 --> 00:12:33.519
and Kate retreated briefly to their anglesy home, processing the
159
00:12:33.600 --> 00:12:37.879
experience away from public view. William resumed his duties as
160
00:12:37.879 --> 00:12:40.919
an RAF Search and rescue pilot, while Kate began the
161
00:12:40.960 --> 00:12:44.559
work of reviewing the tour with her small staff, responding
162
00:12:44.559 --> 00:12:49.159
to correspondence it had generated, and considering which charitable areas
163
00:12:49.200 --> 00:12:52.120
she might focus on as she developed her royal role.
164
00:12:53.000 --> 00:12:56.919
The success of the North American Tour had significant implications
165
00:12:56.919 --> 00:13:02.480
for the monarchy itself. After decades marked by scandal, divorce,
166
00:13:02.759 --> 00:13:07.039
and periodic questions about the institution's relevance, William and Kate
167
00:13:07.200 --> 00:13:11.360
had demonstrated the Crown's capacity for renewal and connection with
168
00:13:11.519 --> 00:13:16.519
contemporary society. They had preserved the dignity and tradition essential
169
00:13:16.519 --> 00:13:20.440
to monarchy, while bringing a more relaxed, authentic approach to
170
00:13:20.559 --> 00:13:25.600
royal duty. In the weeks that followed, senior royal household
171
00:13:25.639 --> 00:13:29.240
officials engaged in detailed analysis of what had made the
172
00:13:29.279 --> 00:13:33.799
tour so successful and how those lessons might inform future engagements.
173
00:13:34.679 --> 00:13:39.039
Kate's wardrobe strategy, mixing accessible high street brands with British
174
00:13:39.120 --> 00:13:44.320
designers incorporating symbolic nods to host nations became a template
175
00:13:44.440 --> 00:13:49.080
for royal tours. The couple's willingness to participate actively in
176
00:13:49.159 --> 00:13:53.240
events rather than simply observing them, was noted as particularly
177
00:13:53.279 --> 00:13:58.840
effective with younger audiences. Perhaps most importantly, the genuine partnership
178
00:13:59.000 --> 00:14:02.200
evident between Willimam and Kate offered a new model of
179
00:14:02.279 --> 00:14:07.600
royal representation. Neither the traditional monarch and consort division of
180
00:14:07.720 --> 00:14:12.200
roles nor the sometimes competitive dynamic that had characterized Charles
181
00:14:12.240 --> 00:14:16.639
and Diana's joint appearances. Their approach suggested a more equal
182
00:14:16.799 --> 00:14:21.679
modern marriage, while respecting the constitutional realities of William's position
183
00:14:21.840 --> 00:14:25.799
as future king. What we witnessed on that tour was
184
00:14:25.840 --> 00:14:28.440
the emergence of a working model that could carry the
185
00:14:28.480 --> 00:14:33.639
monarchy forward for decades. Observed one longtime royal adviser. They
186
00:14:33.679 --> 00:14:39.159
managed to be simultaneously traditional and contemporary, ceremonial and accessible.
187
00:14:39.799 --> 00:14:43.679
That balance is extraordinarily difficult to achieve, yet they seemed
188
00:14:43.720 --> 00:14:47.600
to do it naturally. For the Queen, watching from London,
189
00:14:47.919 --> 00:14:51.120
the tourists success confirmed her decision to allow William and
190
00:14:51.200 --> 00:14:55.320
Kate time to develop their royal roles gradually. Her Majesty
191
00:14:55.440 --> 00:14:58.799
had deliberately shielded the couple from excessive demands in their
192
00:14:58.840 --> 00:15:03.080
early married life, recognizing that a solid foundation would serve
193
00:15:03.159 --> 00:15:06.879
both them and the institution better than immediate immersion in
194
00:15:07.000 --> 00:15:11.399
full time royal duty. In late July, William and Kate
195
00:15:11.600 --> 00:15:14.440
made their first post tour public appearance in the UK,
196
00:15:14.960 --> 00:15:18.840
attending the wedding of the Queen's granddaughter Zara Phillips to
197
00:15:18.960 --> 00:15:24.080
rugby player Mike Tindall. The relaxed family event allowed them
198
00:15:24.080 --> 00:15:27.200
to reconnect with the royal family while maintaining the lower
199
00:15:27.240 --> 00:15:31.960
profile they had established upon returning from North America. As
200
00:15:32.000 --> 00:15:35.840
summer turned to autumn, the couple began carefully selecting UK
201
00:15:36.000 --> 00:15:39.240
engagements that would allow Kate to develop her royal role,
202
00:15:39.639 --> 00:15:44.440
while William balanced these appearances with his military career. They
203
00:15:44.480 --> 00:15:47.879
opened a Children's Cancer Unit at the Royal Marsden Hospital,
204
00:15:48.440 --> 00:15:52.639
visited communities affected by riots in Birmingham, and attended a
205
00:15:52.679 --> 00:15:58.919
few carefully chosen ceremonial events, including Remembrance Sunday. During this period,
206
00:15:59.159 --> 00:16:02.440
they also worked with advisers to establish the framework for
207
00:16:02.480 --> 00:16:06.919
their long term charitable focus. The Royal Foundation of the
208
00:16:07.000 --> 00:16:10.320
Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry would become
209
00:16:10.360 --> 00:16:15.320
the primary vehicle for their philanthropic work, concentrating initially on
210
00:16:15.440 --> 00:16:21.080
areas including young people, conservation and mental health. This methodical
211
00:16:21.120 --> 00:16:26.000
approach reflected a clear strategy building Kate's confidence and experience
212
00:16:26.399 --> 00:16:30.799
through gradually increasing exposure while protecting the couple's private life
213
00:16:30.879 --> 00:16:36.080
and William's military career. Unlike Diana, who had been thrust
214
00:16:36.120 --> 00:16:39.919
immediately into full time royal duties despite her youth and
215
00:16:40.000 --> 00:16:43.440
limited preparation, Kate was being allowed to grow into her
216
00:16:43.559 --> 00:16:47.639
role at a more sustainable pace. By the end of
217
00:16:47.720 --> 00:16:51.200
two thousand eleven, as the couple prepared for their first
218
00:16:51.279 --> 00:16:55.240
Christmas as husband and wife, they had successfully navigated the
219
00:16:55.279 --> 00:17:01.399
critical transition from newlyweds to working royals. The North American
220
00:17:01.480 --> 00:17:06.400
Tour had established their public identity. Subsequent engagements had built
221
00:17:06.400 --> 00:17:09.759
on that foundation, and they had maintained the balance between
222
00:17:09.799 --> 00:17:13.960
public duty and private life that William considered essential to
223
00:17:14.039 --> 00:17:21.119
their happiness and effectiveness. Looking ahead to twenty twelve, significant
224
00:17:21.200 --> 00:17:25.519
challenges awaited. The Queen's Diamond Jubilee would place the entire
225
00:17:25.640 --> 00:17:29.559
royal family in the spotlight as Britain celebrated Her Majesty's
226
00:17:29.599 --> 00:17:33.759
sixty years on the throne. William and Kate would play
227
00:17:33.759 --> 00:17:37.599
a central role in these celebrations, undertaking an overseas tour
228
00:17:37.720 --> 00:17:42.359
to Malaysia, Singapore, the Solomon Islands and Tuvalu as part
229
00:17:42.400 --> 00:17:47.839
of the jubilee year. Decisions about William's military career, their
230
00:17:47.880 --> 00:17:52.079
future living arrangements in London, and the inevitable questions about
231
00:17:52.160 --> 00:17:56.920
starting a family would all need to be addressed. Yet,
232
00:17:57.000 --> 00:17:59.759
as their first year of marriage concluded, the couple had
233
00:17:59.799 --> 00:18:03.920
as established a solid foundation for facing these challenges. They
234
00:18:03.960 --> 00:18:08.359
had demonstrated their capacity to represent the monarchy effectively on
235
00:18:08.440 --> 00:18:13.119
the global stage. They had shown how traditional royal duty
236
00:18:13.240 --> 00:18:17.920
could be fulfilled with contemporary relevance, and perhaps most importantly,
237
00:18:18.359 --> 00:18:21.599
they had maintained the connection and mutual support that had
238
00:18:21.720 --> 00:18:26.799
characterized their relationship from its earliest days. What William and
239
00:18:26.880 --> 00:18:31.160
Catherine achieved in that first year was remarkable, reflected one