Tuesday 13 June 2017

5 things to know about William and Kate's summer tour


More details have just been announced of the visit the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will make to Poland and Germany this summer. With less than six weeks to go until this high profile event, here are five things to know about William and Kate's summer tour.

1.  Still time for tennis


The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge head off on tour on July 17th and come home on July 21st meaning an important date in Kate's diary has been ringfenced. This is the first year the tennis loving duchess has been Patron of the All England Tennis Club and its famous tournament - Wimbledon to you and me - runs until July 16th. Which means Kate has plenty of time to pop into the royal box before heading off on tour.


2. We start in Poland

The tour, being carried out at the request of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, will begin in Poland. The royal couple arrive in the Polish capital, Warsaw, on July 17th for a day of engagements. The following day, July 18th, will see them head to Gdansk. It will be the first time William and Kate have carried out an official visit to Poland.


3. If it's Wednesday, it must be Germany



William and Kate arrive in Germany on day three of their visit, Wednesday 19th July. There are three cities in their diary for this part of their trip. The first day will be spent in Berlin before the couple travel to Heidelberg on July 20th and end their tour with a day in Hamburg on Friday July 21st 2017. The Duke of Cambridge visited Dusseldorf in 2016 but this will be the first official trip to Germany for the Duchess of Cambridge.


4. It's a big deal


Yes, OK, William and Kate will always attract attention wherever they go but this could be the biggest overseas visit they've carried out since they got married. Senior royals have taken on several high profile European visits since the EU referendum in June 2016 saw the UK decide to Brexit. This is the latest on that list which has already seen William and Kate head to Paris, the Duchess fly solo in the Netherlands and Luxembourg and the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall visit Austria and Italy.  Given that William and Kate will be touching down just over a month after a UK general election which resulted in a hung parliament and a government heading into Brexit negotiations with no overall majority, this could be their most sensitive overseas visit to date.


5. Back in time for (birthday) tea



The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will return from their trip on July 21st, just in time for a very important date in their diaries. Prince George turns four on July 22nd and mum and dad will be back at home in time to wrap the presents and make the jelly before his mates come round to wreck the place. OK, maybe that's not how royal birthday parties work but however big this tour turns out to be, William and Kate will be back for George's latest milestone. Expect lots of birthday gifts for the future king to be handed over as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge tour Poland and Germany.

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