Yee-haw!
As their Canadian tour neared its end, Prince William and Duchess Catherine went all out for Thursday's Calgary Stampede in Calgary, Canada. Wearing Stetsons and denim jeans, the royal couple were greeted by the Governor General of Canada, His Excellency David Johnston, and Her Excellency Sharon Johnston.
As the four walked into the Palomino Room, Catherine, 29, exclaimed: "I love these decorations!" As the four watched a performance by six of the Young Canadians of the Calgary Stampede, William, 29, was even seeing tapping his toes!
Post-entertainment, William and Catherine did a brief meet and greet with guests lined up by the side of the dance floor. Local Margaret Southern, 80, recalled a story about Queen Elizabeth's 1990 visit. "I met the Queen in 1990 when the inaugurated the show jumping event, the Queen Elizabeth II Cup. William was very interested to hear about this, and Kate was asking me questions about the event," Southern, who is co-chairman of the Spruce Meadows equestrian park in Calgary, told Us Weekly.
"I was proud to see them wearing their hats. William said 'When in Rome, do as the Romans do,' and I thought that was very sweet," Southern added. "They didn't have to wear the hats, but they did. Kate said to me, 'Doesn't William look handsome?' He did!"
Following the meet and greet, James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage, took the stage, commenting that he had "been touched by their decision to visit Slave Lake." He then introduced the Prime Minister, who praised the royal couple, remarking that they "had all the makings of true Canadians."
William and Catherine were then presented with a gift to commemorate their Canadian tour and to mark the 100th anniversary of the founding of Parks Canada (The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's Parks Canada Youth Ambassadors Program).
"A week ago in Ottawa I spoke of how much Catherine and I looked forward to getting to know Canada and Canadians. I can only say that the experience of this past seven days has exceeded all our expectations," William told the crowd. "We have been hugely struck by the diversity of this beautiful country: from Ottawa to Quebec; from Prince Edward Island to the Northwest Territories; and now the excitement of Calgary — and what about these fantastic white hats?"
As William continued to share highlights from their visit, Catherine stood proudly by the side of the stage. "In 1939, my great grandmother, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, said of her first Tour of Canada with her husband, King George VI: 'Canada made us.' Catherine and I now know very well what she meant," William said. "Canada has far surpassed all that we were promised. Our promise to Canada is that we shall return. Thank you."
As the group left the Palomino Room, Catherine and William shook hands with the Young Canadian dancers. "Too bad you couldn't come on the dance floor," one female dancer told William.
Without missing a beat, the Brit laughed and said: "I'm not sure I have the moves for it!"
Minutes later, William and Catherine were escorted out of the building and brought to their awaiting motorcade. "See you tomorrow," William told the Prime Minister.
