The fifth day, Wednesday 28th September gave The Duke and Duchess a real chance to see the natural beauty of Yukon and to learn about its people.
Yukon was buzzing with excitement and William and Catherine received a warm welcome just like all other stops. They did a small walkabout and met with the thousands of the well-wishers who were waiting for them in the cold.
The day began with a visit to the MacBride Museum, where they learnt about Yukon’s history. The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh visited the telegraph office, now part of the museum, in 1959. The MacBride Museum, a fixture in downtown Whitehorse since 1952, showcases Yukon’s history with a focus on the role of Whitehorse in the development of the territory.
Prince William and Duchess Catherine joined a story circle with children and elders from the Language Nest program at Kwanlin Dün First Nation’s Dusk’ a Day Care, who read a storybook in Southern Tutchone.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge participated in sending a “telegraph to tweet” – using an original telegraph to send a tweet. They signed the Museum’s virtual guest book via morse code on a telegraph machine which was transmitted into a digital message and posted onto Twitter. The message read: ‘The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Whitehorse, Yukon, September 2016.’
They were assisted by the former radio operator Doug Bell, 90, who last sent a telegram in 1947. Bell also met William’s parents when they visited Ottawa in 1981. He told him about his meeting.
Next up was a colourful and fun party at Healing Totem on Main Street in Whitehorse.
Whitehorse has a thriving arts scene and local artists and craftsmen had their work on display, and one can also expect plenty of music and local food.
The Healing Totem is an 11-metre totem pole dedicated to the healing of residential school survivors and their communities. Also present were members of Bring Youth Toward Equality (BYTE), a youth organization focused on empowering young people throughout Yukon and helping them develop confidence, skills, openness and a sense of belonging.
The Duke and Duchess walked through the Youth Art Festival, to view the displays, activities and performances that highlight Yukon talent. William and Catherine met a young carver at the Healing Totem and meet with members of BYTE. They walked through the Youth Art Festival, pausing to view the displays, activities and performances that highlight Yukon talent.
For the first leg of the day, The Duchess of Cambridge was looking radiant in a red Carolina Herrera Double-breasted coat paired with Tod’s Fringed leather pumps. Duchess teamed up her outfit with her Annoushka Baroque Pearl Drops, Cartier Ballon Bleu watch and Mulberry Bayswater Clutch. She was carrying York Scarves’ Maple Leaf Tartan Scarf.