First Regis and Kelly, and now the young royals.
P.E.I. has scored a visit from Prince William and Kate Middleton this summer.
“It’s a bit disappointing but we understand they have to share around the visits,” said Mayor Peter Kelly, who sent the couple an invitation to visit Halifax after their engagement was announced in November.
“We had the Queen last year so we thought it would be a challenge to have them two years in a row. They’ll be in Atlantic Canada and that’s great.”
The details of the Royal Couple’s cross-country tour were announced yesterday morning by Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Governor General David Johnston. They’ll also stop in Alberta, Northwest Territories and Quebec from June 3 to July 8.
They’ll be in Ottawa for Canada Day.
A spokesperson for Canadian Heritage, which is handling the tour details, wouldn’t say why exactly P.E.I. was chosen but sites are picked on a “rotational basis.”
“The Government of Canada receives requests for visits from members of the Royal Family from the provinces or territories, cities, and private organizations. These requests are then reviewed in the context of the priorities of the members of the Royal Family and the Government of Canada,” said Tim Warmington, with the department of Canadian Heritage.
His department will be releasing details on William and Kate’s itinerary in the next few months.
While taxpayers will pay for the tour, Heritage Minister James Moore said the money has already been set aside as part of the department’s regular budget for VIP trips.
William and Kate have suggested they don’t want big bucks spent on their nuptials in an acknowledgment of the dire financial situation in Britain.
– with files from The Canadian Press
