Prince William and Kate Middleton arrive in style as they touch down by boat plane in Vancouver

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Robert Jobson26 September 2016

Prince William and Kate made a splash when they flew into Vancouver by boat plane early today.

The royal couple were greeted by tumultuous cheering by a huge crowds gathered on the waterfront to greet them.

The Duchess of Cambridge wore a red and white Alexander McQueen dress, a nod to Canada's national colours, with matching red stilettos.

Today the couple were without their two children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, who stole the show when they arrived in Canada.

Lady in red: Kate wore a red dress in a nod to the national colour of Canada 
PA

The children were left behind in Victoria's Government House being cared for by their nanny.

The couple flew in on a twin engined Otter aircraft, popular for travellers in Western Canada, priced £125 one way.

The couple received a civic welcome in Jack Poole Plaza at the Vancouver Trade and Convention Centre.

Warm welcome: Kate was given a teddy bear while greeting people at Jack Poole Plaza in Vancouver
REUTERS

The Plaza is named after the late Jack Poole, who was a key player behind the success of the 2010 Winter Olympics and 2010 Winter Paralympics held in Vancouver.

From there, The Duke and Duchess went to the Downtown East Side of Vancouver to meet the team at Sheway, a charity that cares for vulnerable mothers who are battling addiction and other issues.

The link between addiction and family breakdown is something that has been a major priority of The Duchess's charitable work.

Victoria Harbour: Crowds await the arrival of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge by seaplane
PA

Float planes are the quickest way to travel between the two cities and are one of the real symbols of western Canada.

Thousands of well-wishers had been queuing since 5am to see the Royal couple.

Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his glamorous wife, Sophie, later join William and Kate later for a visit to the Immigration Services Society of British Columbia.

Here they will meet staff and volunteers who support over 25,000 migrants to Canada each year, including some of the 30,000 who have recently fled war-torn Syria.

Soft landing: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrive by seaplane in Vancouver Harbour
PA

They will look at issues including housing, education, employment, language, and mental health and will have an opportunity to engage directly with Syrian refugees.

Later all four will then attend a youth reception at Telus Gardens where they will meet young Canadians who are helping to make a difference in their communities.

Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in Canada with their children

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The final engagement of the day will see the Duke and Duchess, Prime Minister and Mrs Trudeau learn more about the city's emergency services.

They will visit the Kitsilano Coastguard Station in Vanier park and learn about the round the clock operation to support people who come into trouble on the water that surrounds the coastal city.

William and Kate will enjoy a trip on the Coast Guard's hovercraft before flying back to Victoria for the evening to be reunited with their children.

The royal couple were given earplugs for the 35-minute boat plane journey from in the 18-seater Twin Otter.

The couple are beginning the second day of their Canadian tour 
PA

“It was very smooth flying,” said a royal aide. “They spent a lot looking out of the window and talking to the pilot. The duke was very interested in the landing and the different conditions they work in.

“They spent a lot of time looking at the incredible views from both sides of the plane.”

Their journey landed them in the Coal Harbour in the heart of city, where a crowd of thousands had gathered on a cold morning to see the royal visitors.

Wolf whistles and cheers rent the air as people thrust flowers, children's books, a teddy bear and, bizarrely, a book on the royal family.

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