The B.C. government released the costs today for the Royal Tour 2016, when their Royal Highnesses, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and their children, visited British Columbia during their second official tour of Canada.
Through a cost sharing agreement with the Government of Canada, B.C.'s share of expenses relating to the Royal Tour 2016 totalled $613,363.93, which also includes the costs of site reconnaissance at each location as well as media transportation, accommodation, and tour.
From Sept. 24 to Oct. 1, 2016, the Duke and Duchess visited Victoria, Vancouver, Kelowna, Bella Bella and Haida Gwaii, attracting large crowds throughout their tour, including 15,000 British Columbians for their official welcome to Canada at the Parliament Buildings in Victoria.
Their Royal Highnesses also participated in more than 25 engagements, highlighting the significant work being undertaken to support parents with substance issues, enhance services and supports for mental health and conserving the Great Bear Rainforest.
Their Royal Highnesses visited Sheway, a Pregnancy Outreach Program in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, which provides health and social service supports to women who are pregnant or parenting, who are dealing with drug and alcohol issues; the Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre, which offers information and resources on a wide range of mental-health and substance-use issues affecting children and youth in the province; Jack.org, a national charity dedicated to supporting student leadership in mental-health promotion and advocacy work across Canada; and The Great Bear Rainforest being recognized under the Queen's Commonwealth Canopy Initiative, the only project in Canada to receive this honour. As a lasting legacy related to the royal tour, the Province created the $1-million Great Bear Rainforest Education and Awareness Trust.
Their Royal Highnesses experienced the true West Coast lifestyle on their tour, including salmon fishing in Haida Gwaii, sailing in the Inner Harbour of Victoria, taking a float plane to Vancouver and walking through the largest intact temperate rainforest in the world.
The royal tour attracted global attention to British Columbia with more than 435 accredited media, including 64 from United Kingdom outlets, and 31 from international outlets. Earned media coverage included media such as Vogue, Allure, Hello Magazine, CNN and the Today show with a reach of almost 106 million people.