News

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge joined sailors on a Canadian warship for a church service today, the fourth day of their visit to Canada.

Their Royal Highnesses were included in prayers during the inter-denominational event held in their honour on the deck of HMCS Montreal.

The Duke and Duchess 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.

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.

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.

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.

The Duchess wore 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.

During the service hymns included "Eternal Father, Strong to Save" and "Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer."

The Duke and Duchess 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 Their Royal Highnesses were piped off the warship as the ships company stood along the edge of every deck and landing.

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."

The Duke of Cambridge bonded with fellow servicemen as he honoured one of Canada's legendary regiments.

The Duke praised the soldiers and officers of Canada's Royal 22nd Regiment, the legendary "Van doos" - a French speaking infantry unit that has fought in many conflicts from the Somme to Afghanistan.

Their Royal Highnesses were in the Quebec City known as the 'Cradle of French America" for a ceremony to reaffirm the Freedom of the City honour bestowed perennially to the regiment.

The Duke gave a speech in French, in recognition of the French speaking province, after inspecting two immaculate rows of soldiers in their scarlet tunics and bearskins as part of event.

The Duke, who is a RAF Search and Rescue helicopter pilot and an officer with the Household Cavalry's Blues and Royals, told the servicemen: "It's an honour for me to be here with you in Quebec today.

"For me, as a soldier and an airman, it is a privilege to have inspected a great regiment like the Royal 22nd. Your reputation is as strong as it is legendary. This place has such beauty and history.

"You, the Quebecois et Quebecoise, have such vitality and vigour. It is simply a pleasure to be here."

The Duke got a cheer from the crowds when he joked about his pronunciation telling them: "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 ceremony is held every year and acknowledges the trust and friendship between the city and the regiment based in Quebec.

Further information

View more images from the Royal Tour on the Canadian Heritage Flickr website